As well as the key graduate events that happen each Summer, New Designers, D&AD New Blood and Free Range, there are several exhibitions and trade showcases that enable emerging designers to present their collections, sometimes for the first time to potential buyers placing crucial first orders, as well as the general public, often giving vital feedback on how designers can develop further.
Held bi-annually since 1984, Top Drawer has showcased a range of products from homewares and gifts to fashion and craft, a presentation of some of the best brands – both established and emerging – enabling independent buyers and world-renowned brands to jostle for retail buyers’ attention so their wares might grace the shelves each season. Having attended for the last couple of years, the main focus for Look Like Love has been the area entitled ‘Spotted’ which, as the name suggests, highlights some of the best up-and-coming designers, and for many it is the first taste of a trade show environment, beyond the confines of a university critique.
One designer who presented her first collection at Top Drawer in January, and has succeeded in breaking into the commercial design world is Catherine MacGruer, a designer specialising in knitted textiles. A graduate from the Glasgow School of Art and now based in the Highlands of Scotland, her work focuses on contemporary, luxury knitted products.
A trend that has definitely emerged over the last few years is the inspiration of craft methodology, combined with new technologies, resulting in a contemporary approach to design; something that plays a crucial role in Catherine’s work. Playing with collaged pieces using colour and pattern combinations, she creates a series of compositions that are depicted on knitted cushions, throws and scarves.
Experimenting with both monochrome palettes and a series of precisely thought-out colour combinations, Catherine’s pieces are individually crafted from the superfine Merino wool giving them a luxury finish – something that hasn’t been overlooked by UK homeware powerhouse Heal’s. Arguably, every designer’s dream client, Heal’s have snapped up a series of Catherine’s cushions as part of their home furnishing collection.
Having met Catherine at Top Drawer, I find she remains humble, yet excited by the opportunities ahead of her, responding to each new lead, conversation or inquisitive email with the same enthusiasm. With her sights very much on the luxury end of the market, it’s unlikely that Heal’s will be the only high-end stockist vying for her wares, which makes it more of a privilege to showcase her work as part of Look Like Love. The term ‘one-to-watch’ is used a lot when it comes to new design, but in Catherine MacGruer’s case, it is most warranted, and I can’t wait to see where she pops up next.
To find out more about Catherine MacGruer, and to purchase pieces from her collection visit Look Like Love.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- look like love :: michael carroll
- look like love :: eva radulova
- look like love :: kate colin
- look like love :: rowenna mason
