Networking between creatives has never been easier than it is today. From reading an interview, Kate Pascoe Squire (Kate & Kate) learned that Sarah-Jane Pyke (Arent & Pyke) had an interest in textiles, and then emailed her out-of-the-blue, proposing a collaboration. ‘We have been long-time admirers of the Arent & Pyke style – and, in true fan-girl fashion, we had sent two blankets to Juliette Arent for her twin girls a couple of years ago, so we were lucky that she knew our brand,’ explains Kate Pascoe Squires, who left PR to launch her business with her sister-in-law, and former fashion retailer, Kate Squires, back in 2013.
The stars aligned when Juliette Arent, Sarah-Jane and ‘the Kates’ got together, quickly forming a shared vision for a winter 2017 collection. The theme for Carnival actually came from the mood generated over their 18-months finalising the range. ‘It captures the joy of gathering together, which was our starting point, and it became a celebration of celebrations, both jovial and nostalgic,’ explains Pascoe Squires.
Fittingly, designs in the range bare names like Floss, Jester, Harlequin, and Pom Pom, the latter of which is Pascoe Squires’ favourite. ‘Every time I look at the hand-painted blanket design, I see something different. I’ll be hanging this as artwork at home as soon as I can get my hands on one,’ she says, admitting to have already pinched a sample of the cushion design for her couch!
Natural cotton and linen pieces from the range are manufactured in India, while alpaca blankets are produced in South Africa using Australian wool. ‘The Floss Throw is hand woven in the south of India by a collective dedicated to the preservation of this art form,’ details Pascoe Squires.
The creative quartet forecast that textiles with eye-catching details will lead the way this winter. ‘Think blankets finished with contrasting hand-stitches or hand-woven throws with raw edging,’ tells Pascoe Squires. ‘Rich texture and pattern will dominate this season… as we move on (just a little) from our love of Scandi minimalism; optimism and wit will prevail!’
The Carnival collection is available for pre-order on the Kate & Kate website, and will be in the Port Melbourne showroom as well as other stockists from early March.
