Textile designer joins Museums & Galleries’ stable of licences
Renowned British textile designer Emily Burningham is the latest brand to join the Museums & Galleries stable, with a new greeting card, stationery, and gift packaging licensed collaboration.
“We are long-time fans of Emily’s work, so are thrilled to introduce her to M&G customers as an exclusive licence,” explained creative director Ben Dorney.
“The Emily Burningham brand is distinctive and stylish with Japanese-inspired simplicity and a unique palette. It sits at the crossroads between cards & stationery and home & interiors and we believe it will be a perfect fit for the growing range of M&G products across different categories.”
The London-based design studio was set up in London’s Hampstead in 2007, and Emily’s sophisticated works explore the relationship between distinct eras of art and design and draw influence from traditional wood-block printing techniques. Her designs have a graphic quality that is unmistakably her own.
Emily said: “Maybe designing is my salvation. I think the job of a designer is to try to lift the mood of people and bring happiness to their homes. If I can do that, then I’ve succeeded. It makes me happy to do that.
“It has been a pleasure to work with the M&G team who have reinterpreted some of our favourite classic designs and showcased some of the new additions, drawing out the essence of the EB collection with great success. I always hope that, through the designs, we can share some of the joy and inspiration we derive from interpreting the natural world.”
M&G’s launch collection is available now and will be on show at Spring Fair at the NEC, 2-5 February, on stand 3L30-M31, and comprises a set of 16 embossed fine art cards on textured board, accompanied by discreetly and elegantly branded envelopes, and there’s a boutique Christmas collection of six embossed card packs is available for pre-order.
The launch gift packaging collection, also available now, has three sheet wrap designs, including one for men, along with gift bags and gift tissue.
Imagery ranges from beach scenes and sailing, through gardening and interiors, to wildlife, especially birds, and Ben said one of Emily’s great strengths is her approach to florals – simultaneously free and naturalistic, but also sinuously decorative and effortlessly extending into repeat pattern.
Emily explained: “I just love flowers – they’re so strong and beautiful and gentle at the same time! They are miraculous, all these colours, patterns. Think of fritillaries or tulips or pansies, they’re simply extraordinary! We’d be a lot poorer without them – at least I wouldn’t want to be without them.
“They bring life to our life. There is simply nothing like watching something grow, bloom and blossom. They are an incredible life force and most look so beautiful. A home without plants, in whichever form, would be bland and is lacking something, in my mind. They bring life and energy. This balance between delicateness and strength is truly fascinating.”
Sophie Bylina-Williams, M&G’s administration and relationships manager, added: “Emily’s work achieves a marvellous, seemingly effortless synthesis of classic Englishness and refined modernity that retailers and customers respond to so well. We are delighted to add her to M&G’s array of talent.”
