Homegirl London pays homage to Lindsey Lang Design Ltd. Creator of high-quality, functional and fabulous products that also serve as works of art for the home. The full collection includes; cushions, double oven gloves, pot holders, hot handles, tea towels, ceramic trivets, flooring and wall tiles. Lindsey just loves using and combining innovative materials; the kitchenware uses luxury wool felt, the trivets are glossy white ceramic and the flooring and wall tiles are a mix of concrete, marble and granite. I caught up with Lindsey to find out more …
Q: Tell me about your design background.
A: I was born in America so I received my Bachelor’s in Fine Arts for Textile Design at University of Kansas. I wanted to travel so I finished my degree in London at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. I moved to London and worked in Graphics and Illustration where I eventually climbed my way up to Design Director. After that, I decided I wanted to pursue textiles and Lindsey Lang Design Ltd was born in January 2012.
Q: Why set up your business?
A: I had been working in commercial graphics for many years and I wanted my textile ideas to be realised. The range started purely as a kitchenware collection and evolved from there. I’m a very particular shopper and I could see where my designs would fill some gaps in the market. When I started the business I wanted the range to encompass different products for the home and this will always be at the core of my business. I want others to simply enjoy using our products in their everyday life.
Lindsey Lang Flooring and Cushions
Q: Where are you based and why?
A: I’m based in London which I love because it’s a creative hub. I’m inspired by London’s people, fashion, food, architecture and the all-around buzz.
Q: Describe your design style.
A: Colourfully cool … bright, bold and graphic.
Q: Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?
A: As I trained as a fine artist, much of my inspiration has developed through my experience in colour theory, graphic design and illustration. I’m constantly inspired by the bold and vibrant surroundings of London, but the core of my creativity is drawn through a range of influences such as Joseph and Anni Albers and Constructivism Movement greats such as El Lissitzky and Laszlo Moholy-Nagy.
Lindsey Lang Ellipse Tea Towels
Q: What’s your fascination with colour and pattern?
A: Well, I love mixing colours, for as long as I can remember I’ve loved to paint. My grandmother still paints at the age of 95 and I think that my early memories of splashing colour around in her crazy retro kitchen were implanted in my brain. My dream of becoming a painter faded when I discovered textiles at University. I enjoyed weaving and printing unexpected colour ways. As well as this, I have always had a fascination with thrift stores. I have a ridiculous collection of vintage scarves and fabrics, and I think I am always searching for those patterns that my grandmother had around her house.
Lindsey Lang Kitchen Accessories
Q: Tell me about your collections.
A: I have a number of collections and each product has a name which links to their origin of inspiration. For example, the first cushion design that I did for the Lindsey Lang Collection is called “Welsummer” and this refers the beautiful shapes and colours of the British Welsummer Chicken.
Lindsey Lang Welsummer Cushions
Q: Tell me about your bespoke service.
A: We offer a bespoke service on many levels. We work with retailers to design exclusive collections for them, and also create bespoke prints for interior designers and architects. Some of our most exciting bespoke projects have been with our wall and flooring tiles. Large installations are always so gratifying to see once the interior is complete.
Q: Which designer do you admire and why?
A: Anni Albers for her early colour theory work in woven textiles and Alexander Calder for revolutionising the way that artists use shapes. I also admire many artists from the constructivist movement, and I think that is because it is an earlier example of merging modernism with infographics.
Q: What’s the best thing about owning your own business?
A: I work really crazy hours but I can fit my schedule in around doing something special and make up the time by working later during the evening.
Q: What one piece of advice would you pass on to someone wanting to set up their own business?
A: Try to speak to people directly on the phone rather than email. The world is short of good old fashioned hospitality, you might be surprised how much can be accomplished if you simply give more of your time to others.
Q: What’s coming up for the rest of 2013?
A: I have some exciting collaborations launching soon and am looking forward to officially launching the next range for A/W13 at DESIGNJUNCTION for this summer’s London Design Festival. There will be new flooring, kitchenware and much more.
To give you an idea on price; Cushions are £75, Double Oven Gloves are £36, Trivets start at £30 and Tea Towels are £19. You can buy Lindsey’s products from Lindsey Lang. Credits: text by Homegirl London, images courtesy of Lindsey Lang, Rob Streeter and Rob Sturges. Special thanks to Lindsey.
