FIVE MINUTES WITH A FRIEND: KATIE LARMOUR
This week we speak to Katie Larmour, an Irish designer maker who specialises in creating luxury items from Irish Linen. The natural, undyed oatmeal linen has become a signature hallmark of all her pieces. Made from the flax plant, Irish Linen is an eco-friendly, sustainable alternative to fabrics that use fertilisers and pesticides. It needs little water, and the whole plant is used, making it a waste-free crop. In a world of mass production and throw-away fashions, Katie’s handcrafted cushions are of a unique, one-of-a-kind beauty, examples of which have been acquired by discerning international fashionistas, A-list stars, and even royal families.
Image: Katie Larmour collaboration with Heals of London, 2016. @photosbysi @craft.ni
Tell us more why you chose Irish linen and what the qualities of linen brings to your work
I love Irish Linen’s texture, it can be crisp and fresh or crumpled and relaxed, both are excellent.
My use of recycled Irish linen - where I source seconds, deadstock and sometimes even other local maker’s off cuts too - means it’s a real variety/mixture of cloths that I work with.
Although I create small batches of my decorations in all sorts of gorgeous colours that I come across (sometimes vintage, sometimes I experiment with natural dyes), I produce all my designs in a natural oatmeal, which is the true undyed colour of the flax plant. This is my signature linen and what makes the pieces recognisable as part of my collection. This undyed linen is particularly nice because it really shows off the texture of the natural fibres and has a mixture of subtle neutral colour tones. They also feel nice in your hands. The contrast of twinkling, sparkling beads and embellishment really complements the rustic qualities of the linen they are paired with, the result just works.
Tell us about your current projects - what are you working on?
I just judged a second series of the BBC’s ‘A Stitch Through Time', a sewing competition which is filmed in Northern Ireland. I am thrilled to be part of it as they focus on heritage textiles, so I’m their go to person for all things Irish linen. The contestants were fantastic this year and all great at using linen, which can be tricky to work with and manipulate. It aired on tv this past month but is all up on the player for anyone who might be interested in having a watch.
What you love about textiles and textiles that you cherish?
I actually studied ceramics during my time at Art College at the University of Ulster but I’ve spent the last 10 years building up a textiles brand. I still absolutely love ceramics but my business has brought me this way. I love textiles and collect all sorts of eclectic things from Victorian cotton quilts to vintage pillows sourced around the world on my travels but it really is Irish linen I have a love affair with.
It’s an extraordinary textile that both locals and tourists to Ireland adore. It’s proving very popular at the moment, especially as more and more new brands pop up who are using it, so it all helps promote the Irish linen brand and everyone’s produce. When I started out 10 years ago there was a sense of a mini revival, with only a small handful of artisan makers using it. It's become very en trend, and that boosts everyone.
I was drawn to the history and heritage of Irish linen, how our City, Belfast, was so steeped in it, it’s a fabric that’s right on my doorstep and so perfect to celebrate.
Images and text courtesy of Katie Larmour
Find out more:
katielarmour.com
Image: Katie Larmour collaboration with Heals of London, 2016. @photosbysi @craft.ni
Tell us more why you chose Irish linen and what the qualities of linen brings to your work
I love Irish Linen’s texture, it can be crisp and fresh or crumpled and relaxed, both are excellent.
My use of recycled Irish linen - where I source seconds, deadstock and sometimes even other local maker’s off cuts too - means it’s a real variety/mixture of cloths that I work with.
Although I create small batches of my decorations in all sorts of gorgeous colours that I come across (sometimes vintage, sometimes I experiment with natural dyes), I produce all my designs in a natural oatmeal, which is the true undyed colour of the flax plant. This is my signature linen and what makes the pieces recognisable as part of my collection. This undyed linen is particularly nice because it really shows off the texture of the natural fibres and has a mixture of subtle neutral colour tones. They also feel nice in your hands. The contrast of twinkling, sparkling beads and embellishment really complements the rustic qualities of the linen they are paired with, the result just works.
Tell us about your current projects - what are you working on?
I just judged a second series of the BBC’s ‘A Stitch Through Time', a sewing competition which is filmed in Northern Ireland. I am thrilled to be part of it as they focus on heritage textiles, so I’m their go to person for all things Irish linen. The contestants were fantastic this year and all great at using linen, which can be tricky to work with and manipulate. It aired on tv this past month but is all up on the player for anyone who might be interested in having a watch.
What you love about textiles and textiles that you cherish?
I actually studied ceramics during my time at Art College at the University of Ulster but I’ve spent the last 10 years building up a textiles brand. I still absolutely love ceramics but my business has brought me this way. I love textiles and collect all sorts of eclectic things from Victorian cotton quilts to vintage pillows sourced around the world on my travels but it really is Irish linen I have a love affair with.
It’s an extraordinary textile that both locals and tourists to Ireland adore. It’s proving very popular at the moment, especially as more and more new brands pop up who are using it, so it all helps promote the Irish linen brand and everyone’s produce. When I started out 10 years ago there was a sense of a mini revival, with only a small handful of artisan makers using it. It's become very en trend, and that boosts everyone.
I was drawn to the history and heritage of Irish linen, how our City, Belfast, was so steeped in it, it’s a fabric that’s right on my doorstep and so perfect to celebrate.
Images and text courtesy of Katie Larmour
Find out more:
katielarmour.com