Shilo Engelbrecht

UK-based Australian designer Shilo Engelbrecht, pictured with her beautiful textiles and products at Ganim's Store in Melbourne.  Photo - Sean Fennessy.

Tote bags by Shilo Engelbrecht, available from Ganim's Store in Melbourne.  Photo - Sean Fennessy.

Digitally printed cushions by Shilo Engelbrecht at Ganim's Store in Melbourne.  Photo - Sean Fennessy.

Hanging cloths by Shilo Engelbrecht at Ganim's Store in Melbourne.  Photo - Sean Fennessy.

Australian designer Shilo Engelbrecht has called many cities home, but currently resides in Cambridge in the UK, where she has established her own textile design studio.  Her vibrant, painterly textiles form the basis of a range of stunning home accessories including cushions, large cloths (for use either as bed throws or tablecloths), tablelinen, tote bags and silk scarves, all digitally printed and sewn in London.  All Shilo's fabrics are also available for purchase by the metre for garments, upholstery, framing, curtains and other interior applications. Shilo has been living in the UK since 2010, but is in Melbourne this month for a special exhibition at Ganim's Store in Melbourne!  Her first textile collection, called 'Älv' (Swedish for river) will be showcased in store this week, alongside wall hangings and a few new works made especially for this show! We asked Shilo a few questions about her products and her practice -

Briefly tell us a little bit about your background – what did you study, and what led you to what you're doing today?

I studied Fine Arts and Fashion. It was in my sculpture class that I read about artists who incorporated textiles into their practice. I began to explore the potential of using textiles as a medium within my studies, experimenting with a large format digital printer and different fabrics. Following graduation, my combined interests in textiles and technology lead me to the Centre of Advanced Textiles in Glasgow and to establishing my own company and studio in the UK, where I produce my current collection.

When did you first start working on this current range of textiles and textile based homewares?

I began producing my own textile range last summer, by painting everyday for weeks in a greenhouse in the back of the garden, then I found a studio where I could develop it further.

What's next for Shilo, and what are you looking forward to?

The most exciting thing I could imagine, two months of painting! I'm beginning work on my second collection of textiles which will launch in the new year. Also next spring is the opening of Kit Kemp's new project in London - she is using many of my fabrics and I'm very excited to see it.

Shilo's textile and homewares collection is available from Ganim's Store in Melbourne this week, at Koskela in Sydney, and from Shilo's online store.  To keep up with all Shilo's work and new designs as they are released, you can subscribe to her newsletter here! Textiles by Shilo Engelbrecht November 22nd to 29th 2013 Ganim's Store 61 Brunswick St Fitzroy, VIC Join Shilo at Ganim's Store for a drink to celebrate her Melbourne launch tomorrow, Tuesday 26th, from 6.00pm to 8.00pm.

Tablelinen by Shilo Engelbrecht at Ganim's Store in Melbourne.  Photo - Sean Fennessy.

Linen by Shilo Engelbrecht at Ganim's Store in Melbourne.  Photo - Sean Fennessy.

Textiles by Shilo Engelbrecht  on show at Ganim's Store in Melbourne until  this Friday November 29th.  Photo - Sean Fennessy.