“The design process has been a truly organic labour of love, piecing together memories and threads of inspiration from over the years to create a capsule of designs that I hope our Sisterhood will love and enjoy in their own homes for many years to come…”
“I couldn’t be more excited to be unveiling our first fabric collection.”
This May Sister by Studio Ashby launched The Jocasta Collection at an intimate event in London. The pouring bubbly? You guessed it, our Vintage-only Krone Cap Classique; distinct wines for distinct design.
Born from curiosity, Ashby’s debut fabric collection, manufactured by Yarn Collective, embraces the beauty and richness of the natural world.
“The Jocasta Collection pays homage to writer and journalist Jocasta Innes and her former home in Spitalfields, a glorious Georgian-era house that I shared with my family and where the collection was first conceived,” elaborated Ashby. “Known for her dedication to reclaiming past treasures and trinkets, the collection pays tribute to Jocasta’s creative legacy and spirit, a love letter of sorts to the woman who helped inspire its beginnings.”
Sophie Ashby, Creative Director (Right)
“Each of the fabrics carries its own unique texture, palette and pattern, taking shape over years of travel and memory-making across Africa, Asia and Europe.”
Sister by Studio Ashby called upon the textile expertise of forward-thinking manufacturing brand Yarn Collective to bring the vibrant collection to life. Known for their natural and recycled textiles and climate positive ethos, the process began with materials Sophie has leant on for look and versatility her whole career. Over time, Sophie began collating and adding favourite fabrics from her travels. An explorative stage of design was followed by long months of concept development. The collaboration has resulted in a final colour palette and design that unites Sister’s unique aesthetics with Yarn Collective’s revered textural quality and feel.
“From the intricate jacquard looms of 'Disa', inspired by the hardy orchid found across Table Mountain in Cape Town, to the 'Afua' range, taking its cues from my husband's Ghanaian heritage, each of the fabrics carries its own unique texture, palette and pattern, taking shape over years of travel and memory-making across Africa, Asia and Europe.”
ABOUT SISTER BY STUDIO ASHBY
Part playground, part shop, Sister by Studio Ashby is a collection of future heirlooms, bespoke furniture, art and accessories created and curated by Studio Ashby. The younger sister to Studio Ashby, Sister launched in late 2020. Sister releases new collections in batches with special one-off pieces and vintage finds sitting alongside a permanent collection of bespoke furniture available year-round. Sister launched its quarterly journal, the Sisterhood, in 2021. Blewcoat is the first physical home for the brand and the first chance to shop Sister in person.
ABOUT STUDIO ASHBY
Led by its Creative Director, Sophie Ashby, Studio Ashby creates spaces with a unique identity. Ashby’s aim is to bring authenticity to each project, not only in the selection of furniture, lighting and art but in its use of a natural palette of materials and textures. Unswayed by the passing dictates of fashion, Ashby draws on her love of antiques, colour, contemporary ‘world art’, modernist furniture, photography and her latest discoveries to deliver an eclectic richness to each interior Studio Ashby’s relationships with artisans and craftsmen, extensive resources and continual foraging play an integral role in developing each project. Humour and a love of objects with an explicit narrative result in a carefully balanced body of work that creates cohesive spaces with a sense of honesty. Sophie broadened her design vocabulary through a BA in History of Art (Hons) at Leeds University, going on to study Interior Design at Parsons, The New School in Manhattan, New York. Her strong architectural and design sensibility developed over the following years with sound. mentorship and a personal curiosity for “beautiful things”. Studio Ashby works across private homes, commercial spaces, hospitality and retail. Design Principal Fiona Blanchot works closely with Sophie on all aspects of the business, overseeing their fifteen strong team. Sophie Ashby was named House & Garden’s Interior Designer of the Year 2021, Elle Decoration’s Interior Designer of the Year 2021 and has won multiple awards for United in Design, the charity she co-founded with Alexandria Dauley in 2020 to address the lack of diversity in the design industry.
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