Designtex, the leading designer and manufacturer of applied materials for the built environment, has introduced Ribbon, a vibrant collaboration created in partnership with British artist Sophie Smallhorn. Known for her bold exploration of hues and geometric abstraction, Smallhorn brings her artistic vision to textiles, creating pieces that are as emotionally evocative as they are visually stunning.
“Working with Sophie was an inspiring journey,” says Sara Balderi, Executive Director of Design at Designtex. “She was extremely hands-on throughout the collaboration process, preferring silkscreening to digital methods. Her commitment to traditional techniques added a tangible depth and authenticity to the Ribbon design.”
Ribbon is a coated textile featuring a multi-color linear motif that mimics the fluidity of ribbons in motion to create an immersive experience that can energize any environment. The interlacing lines and vibrant palettes are a testament to Smallhorn’s mastery of color relationships and spatial dynamics. Ribbon is a high-performance 100% polyurethane (polycarbonate-based), ready to tackle high traffic environments.
Ribbon is a shapeshifter. It has the power to activate and the substance to exude elegance depending on its application and colorway. Its impact lies in its ability to alter the atmosphere infusing it with energy and positivity. Ribbon is versatile and suitable for a range of applications from healthcare to education to hospitality.
“The idea was to create a playful, meandering, linear composition and to utilize the layering of transparent colors, which is a common theme in my print work,” says Smallhorn. “My natural method of exploration is very analog, so before venturing onto a screen, I initially played with collage using paper and colored acetates. As the concept developed, Sara [Balderi] and I played with the scale of the pattern, and it was fascinating to see the designs mocked up onto forms to see how they could be used in a working environment.”
Designtex Digital Studio + Sophie Smallhorn
Designtex has also added DS Ribbon and Flat Ribbon to their Digital Studio online tool. These patterns will be available to use across upholstery, multiuse, and wallcovering substrates. Users can choose their pattern, play with color and scale, visualize their design, and order a sample in minutes.
“Our goal is to bring joy and a positive experience to interior spaces,” adds Balderi. “Sophie’s distinctive approach to color and form, combined with her hands-on methods, resulted in a textile that can transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary environments.”
This collaboration underscores the transformative power of integrating art into functional design. By bringing Smallhorn’s vibrant aesthetic and hands-on craftsmanship into textiles, Ribbon not only enhances visual appeal but can contribute to the wellbeing of those who interact with it.
Products:
Ribbon: is a multi-color, large-scale linear pattern with moments of overlap where color and transparency meet. The movement of the pattern mimics the fluidity of ribbons in motion, creating an immersive and dynamic experience in any environment. There is a subtle gridded texture, or emboss, giving this coated textile a hint of tactility, making it ready to tackle all high-performance needs.
DS Ribbon: is a simplified version of Smallhorn’s multi-color coated textile pattern “Ribbon.” Tailored to the Digital Studio design process that allows custom scale, color, and materiality, DS Ribbon celebrates the overlap of a folded ribbon using a minimalist 2-color palette of the designer's choosing.
Flat Ribbon: is a customizable bold angular graphic pattern that distills the visual effect of a folded ribbon. Accentuating spontaneous moments of overlap, the solid ribbon shape adds energy, gesture, and movement to surface materials and is available through Designtex Digital Studio.
