Alice Acreman
I recently had the chance to speak with Alice Acreman -via email- to find out more about her process and inspirations for her stunning collection of silk designs. Alice’s work is the perfect balance of soft and natural with structured geometric forms and patterns. Her designs start out done by hand and then added to and processed digitally for printing. This perfect combination of the traditional and the modern results in garments and accessories that are both chic and contemporary with a generous sense of nostalgia and antiquity.
I wanted a chance to speak directly with Alice as her work is so unique and intriguing. For an independent designer to do so well in the metropolis of London speaks volumes of her talent and drive. Alice told me more about her inspirations and upcoming goals when I spoke to her.
Did you always know you wanted to combine your artistic talent with fashion design?
Initially I was excited by fashion because I loved the playful creativity of it and had been drawn to fashion magazines for their visual appeal as a teenager. Ive always experimented with lots of creative practices; textiles, photography, social media... and it felt like fashion brought so many disciplines together.
When I discovered digital printing, which allows a piece of original artwork be printed onto fabric with a photographic likeness, I felt as though pieces of the puzzle came together. Scarves were a great first product to display my print designs as they are some simple in shape yet a timeless accessory. I then branched out into cushions and now love homeware as much as I love fashion.
Your artwork is done by hand, have you ever considered creating completely digital work?
All of my designs include hand drawn or painted motifs and I like the pencil marks and brush stokes to be somewhat visible in the final design to have that authentic appeal. However, to create my signature design style, I also combine geometric shapes, diagrams and other imagery by overlaying them digitally with my artwork. Even when combining different forms and mediums, my aim is to create an authentic looking design and I believe the hand drawn element brings that stylized uniqueness to each piece. But maybe one day I’ll do a completely digital collection, let’s see!
Who are some designers and artists that inspire you?
So of course there is the great William Morris who’s classic design style is just timeless and reflect his values so beautifully. I live within walking distance of his gallery in Walthamstow and love to visit it at weekends, when its open.
Mary Katrantzou designs really amazing sculptural pieces using conceptual digital printing, which are more works of art than clothing. Her pieces are so stunning and I love how she embraces new technology.
De Gourney make the most exquisite hand painted wallpapers, I adore their scenic designs and think they may have been quite influential on my decision to design my own wallpaper.
I also have a strange adoration for the work of German biologist Ernst Haeckel. His beautiful illustrations of sea creatures and microscopic organisms are unusual but very inspirational to me.
Has lockdown encouraged a new process or concept in how you approach your work?
I think the most significant thing is that it’s given me more patience! I always feel so pressured by time but being in lockdown has given me the opportunity to take on bigger projects, like the mural wallpaper I designed in the first lockdown. It was a daunting task due to the scale of it but now I’ve had customers buy and hang it in their homes, I’m so pleased with the results.
I’m also being more critical of my methods ‘behind the scenes’, taking time to assess all processes like accounting and tracking enquiries. During this winter lockdown, I’ve been getting on top of admin by creating tons of spreadsheets and reorganising my library of product images. Sounds dull but it’s been a really wise decision to take the time to recalibrate.
Environmental responsibility is something you take very seriously, what other processes or materials are you planning to implement into your work?
Even as the business grows, I'm still aiming to produce small batches of designs so nothing is made unnecessarily and continue to stock with independent retailers. I'm also very conscious about recycling all the packaging that suppliers use to send things to me in and use all supplies mindfully.
For the past few years, I have opted out of all black Friday sales and promotions which may of course lost me some potential sales but I decided that the bigger picture is far more important!
Something I'm working on at the moment is ways to use offcuts. Although I have very little waste due to my prints being placed rather than repeat prints, I do have some off-cut fabric. Im developing ways to turn those small pieces into useable products. Silk hair scrunchies, framed fabric and many more ideas are in motion... I hope these small batches of handmade pieces will create more work I can give to local seamstresses. Some are struggling to find work in the pandemic.
What is one place you have travelled to that has influenced your work the most?
It’s definitely not one place but an amalgamation of everywhere ive been. I love to include Tropical birds, flowers leaves and generally an exotic vibe. Visiting Australia and Thailand must have been influential. Unfortunately, my ‘Enticement collection’ was from researched ideas not from a visit but the stories that are said to be believed by the inhabitants about the creatures and spirtis are so fascinating!
The Mirage collection was inspired by a road trip around Nevada, Arizona and up the west coast of America. The colours of the desert landscapes were the starting point and other ideas came along the way. I particularly love the Achromasia Silk features the Albino crocodile who was living at a science museum in San Fran.
Once we can travel again, I’m planning to go on a trip specifically to design a new collection and will sketch ideas and take photos while I’m there to turn into a new range of prints once I’m back. I can’t wait.
Do you feel like or notice that campaigns like fashion revolution and shop local are making an impact on how people shop?
I do! I was really pleased this Christmas to see so many people supporting independent businesses when buying presents, I hope this trend continues to grow throughout the year. I just love to see the appreciation for quality craftsmanship over convenience grow.
I'd love to be more involved with Fashion Revolution campaign this year, it’s a great campaign and I really believe the only future for the fashion industry is a more honest, sustainable one.
I also continue to sell with Etsy after several years on the platform. I love how they champion small businesses and offer a really easy to use service for makers to be found by customers who sell even the most niche creations!
What advice do you have for anyone wanting to start their own business?
Go for it! But be ready to learn, expect many challenges and try to enjoy the journey rather than focusing too much on the end goal. Think about what unique perspective you can bring to the industry you're planning to enter rather than trying to recreate what’s already been done.
For me, it was hard in the beginning, trying to sell Silk scarves, a premium product but on a tiny budget. I slowly found my costumers and gradually grew the product range over several years. If you’re dedicated you can learn so much from podcasts, the internet and trial and error. Now I look back and at my original marketing and photography and really cringe but it does make me realise how far I have come.
What does 2021 have in store for you?
Despite all the challenges, 2020 was such a successful year for me, so I’m trying to continue that momentum in to this year. It’s hard to say what exactly this year has in store as we in the UK are in lockdown and so much is up in the air right now. I’ll be expanding in lots of ways though, I have ideas for products I'd love to launch and some beautiful new prints are currently underway. My list of stockists and direct orders are growing rapidly so keeping everything running smoothly will be a challenge in itself!
I’ve never felt so positive about where Alice Acreman Silks going though!
All images courtesy of Alice Acreman.
