Lucienne Day (1917-2010)

This month we are celebrating the birthday of Lucienne Day, influential British designer whose 60 year career changed the textile industry and the nation’s interior design taste.

In the 1930s she studied at the Royal College of Art and was influenced by European Abstract painting and the natural world of plant forms. Here she met furniture designer and husband Robin Day and formed a partnership of equals, with each having their own distinct career.

Lucienne’s talents came to prominence in the 1950s with her celebrated design Calyx, beginning her 20 year collaboration with Heal’s Fabrics. Her designs had a radical modern aesthetic, which were uplifting and aspirational. Throughout the next few decades, she worked with John Lewis, Cole & Son and Liberty branching out from textiles into wallpaper, ceramics and carpets.

Lucienne thought that textiles were an affordable way for people to have art in their homes, a philosophy Zena & Rose also subscribes to.

Check out the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation for lots of images and information.

Until next time creative crew,

Joanna

Image credit: Calyx screen printed furnishing fabric for Heal's Wholesale & Export,1951. From the R and L Day Foundation CC BY_SA 4.0.