Homegirl London pays homage to Fanny Shorter. Designer-maker of hand screen printed fabrics, art prints, stationery, cushions and accessories inspired by the world of natural science. Her focus is on Anatomy, Botany and Ornithology which she beautifully illustrates to bring out the beauty in her subject matter. I caught up with Fanny to find out more.
Botany Cushions
Meet Fanny Shorter
Fanny Shorter has a degree in illustration from Brighton University. After graduating she worked as a freelance surface designer for clients including Twinings and Cutty Sark.
Fanny Shorter
Fanny tells me why she wanted to set up her own business – “Having freedom was important to me – to be able to produce my own work and be my own boss. You get to set your own timetable and missing the rush hour is a big benefit!”
Botany make-up Bag Pouch
She’s based in London for the buzz and opportunities – “My business and my studio is at Cockpit Arts in Bloomsbury. I wanted to be somewhere busy and inspiring and give my business the best possible chance of taking off. I print and manufacture from the studio with just the sewing outsourced. I keep the business simple with just me and another member of staff.”
View the Fanny Shorter Collection
When asked to describe her design style, Fanny tells me – “It’s contemporary but with obvious traditional inspiration.” Fanny has a fascination with natural science which is evident in her work. “I grew up in a school and both my parents were teachers. I think learning in itself is a massive source of inspiration for me and I am especially interested in the way systems and theories are illustrated pictorially. As a child, I enjoyed frequent visits to the V&A, Natural History Museum and National Trust which has influenced my work.”
Anatomy Chair and Cushion
Inspiration is also drawn from books – “Dorling Kindersley, Gray’s Anatomy and anything on the history of surface pattern. I also love the work of Timorous Beasties because they just produce the most inspired and beautiful designs.”
Anatomy Notebook
Using environmentally friendly materials is a priority – “We use organic and ethically sourced cottons and hemps and print using water-based inks.”
There are three collections – Anatomy, Botany and Ornithology.
Anatomy: A range of surface patterns based on organs and systems found in the human anatomy. Designs include a magnified hair follicle, the heart and a coronal brain section. These patterns cover cushions, chairs, notebooks and make-up bag pouches.
Anatomy Products
Botany: This is a passion vine fabric produced by the metre with passion flower scatter cushions and make-up bag pouches.
Botany Products
Ornithology: An edition of screen prints of the world’s smallest birds printed to scale. The smallest, the Bee Hummingbird, is just 5cm in length.
Ornithology Screen Prints
Buy Fanny Shorter Products
To find out more about Fanny Shorter take a look at her website www.fannyshorter.com. To give you an idea about prices for Fanny’s pieces – Prints £60-180, Cushions £60-85, Stationery £18-35 and Accessories £18-£50
If you want to view these products in the flesh (so to speak) head over to one of the Southbank Centre shops. The Southbank Centre is the UKs largest arts centre located on the South Bank of the river Thames. There are three shops to browse – Festival Terrace, inside the Royal Festival Hall and the Hayward Gallery. You’ll find an eclectic assortment of design gifts from cutting-edge artists and designers.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: By Yeshen Venema for Fanny Shorter. Thanks: David Gorrod.
