Q) HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE EMMA HAYES TEXTILES AESTHETIC?
“Beautiful, calming with a focus on quiet decoration. Often designs have a gestural element and a focus on specialty finishes.”
Q) WAS THERE A DEFINING MOMENT THAT MADE YOU REALISE YOU WANTED TO ESTABLISH YOUR OWN BRAND?
“At the time I launched the brand, I had been working designing textiles for the fashion industry and was ready for a change. I found a lack of pieces to purchase for my own home locally here in New Zealand, so it seemed like a natural progression to move into creating interior textiles. Initially I started designing cushions, throws and soft textile pieces. I felt like there wasn’t anything like my designs on the market at that time, and I liked the idea of creating designs with more longevity than a seasonal fashion calendar.”
Q) WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR INSPIRATION WHEN CREATING YOUR DESIGNS?
“Nature is a huge inspiration, and spending time outdoors is one way I recharge. In New Zealand we are surrounded by water and lush textures and I often find these themes coming through in my work. Over time each design has evolved out of an evolution of the previous. I do a lot of painting and experimental mark-marking in different mediums from which many new starting points for designs are generated. These are combined with digital processes to allow for adjustments to scale and repeat and to create finished artwork suitable for production.”
Q) WHAT’S THE MOST SATISFYING ASPECT OF YOUR ROLE AS A BRAND FOUNDER AND DESIGNER?
“There are many! Being able to direct the overall vision of the brand; getting excited about beautiful tactile finishes and new things we are creating!
I really value the relationships we have built throughout the business and the people we have met along the way. I also value being able to work my business around family life too.”
Q) OF ALL YOUR TEXTILES, DO YOU HAVE AN ALL-TIME FAVORITE PIECE?
“I really love our new murals Daybreak and Aurora. I love the swirling paint and the large scale of these pieces.”
Q) WHAT’S NEXT FOR EMMA HAYES TEXTILES?
“We have an ongoing interest in working with natural fibres and so have a few developments in this area.”