Q&A with Crimson Textiles

1) Who are you and what do you do?

Lesley Thornton  - designer/maker; seamstress; kilt-maker

2)  What is your main inspiration?

First and foremost I’m a ‘maker’. For me, making is a compulsion, something that I’m driven to do from within. I’m inspired by beautiful fabrics; vibrant colours; the traditional skills of domestic crafters, often unrecognised in their day; mid-century design.

3) Where do you work from?

I work from a purple shed at the bottom of my garden. My studio is full of sewing paraphernalia - it’s like working inside a huge sewing box. It’s south facing, has windows on 2 walls and is flooded with light from morning until night. My husband built it for me 9 years ago from mainly recycled materials and ebay purchases. I’m usually working in it from 9am - 6pm, 5/6 days a week.

4) What do you do to relax?

To relax I keep making, but personal projects and gifts for friends. I’m also going through an on-line Scrabble phase at the moment. 

5) Tell us something surprising about your studio space/education/life experiences.

My handsome grey cat, Arty, sleeps on the ironing board in my studio (when I’m not ironing!) and I do admit that I talk to him quite a lot. 

6) Where did you study?

I studied Textile Design at the Scottish College of Textiles in Galashiels (1980-1984)

7) What's the best advice you can give to other makers or have received?

I’m often asked how I have the self discipline to be self employed. I follow the advice of a visiting lecturer when I was at college, and give myself little rewards throughout the working day as I complete tasks - rewards ranging from 10mins web browsing to the top reward of a half-hour break with coffee and scone in my local tearoom! (But not every day!)

8) Who would you like to have over for dinner?

My best friends - and Yotam Ottolenghi, to do the cooking!

9) What is the best thing about being an independent maker?

Being able to make a living doing what I love most is just the best thing ever. 

News Release: Immediate Release                                                                                     July 2014

Knots and Spots

This September, the textile accessories of Lesley Thornton’s ‘Crimson’ label are on display at Concrete Wardrobe for the latest Maker of the Month exhibition.

Thornton studied Textile Design at the Scottish College of Textiles in Galashiels and after graduating in 1984, she worked in theatre wardrobe at the Byre Theatre in St. Andrews and the Royal Opera House in London, before returning to Scotland to train in the traditional craft of kiltmaking.  She launched Crimson Textiles in 2005 and in addition to making kilts and working on her own range, Thornton also designs and produces work for other fabric designers.

Drawing upon her experience as a skilled kiltmaker and her passion for working with Scottish fabrics, Thornton designs and creates textile accessories which include neckwear, bags, hats and her statement knotted textile jewellery.  Working from her garden studio in the shadow of the Ochil Hills, Thornton creates pieces which beautifully blend the traditional with the modern in unique and contemporary ways.    

Of her exhibition at Concrete Wardrobe, Thornton commented, “This September at Concrete Wardrobe I'm looking forward to showcasing new products using a mix of my favourite  fabrics - linen, tartan & tweed - with a scattering of polka dots, added to my signature range of knotty tartan jewellery.”

James Donald of Concrete Wardrobe added, “We are delighted to see the return of Crimson Textiles as Maker of the Month this September.  Lesley Thornton’s textile accessories are beautifully crafted, visually striking and highly wearable.  We expect her exhibition to be very popular with locals and visitors alike”.  

Lesley Thornton is on display at Concrete Wardrobe from 1^st to 30^th September 2014.

Concrete Wardrobe is open Monday to Saturday 11am to 7pm. (Sunday 12 - 5pm.)

Concrete Wardrobe 50a Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3SA.

ENDS

PR: Jenni Douglas. Co-Owners: James Donald & Fiona McIntosh.

From Trad to Plaid: New Ways with Tartan

October 2012 sees the textile accessories of Lesley Thornton’s ‘Crimson’ label on display at Concrete Wardrobe for this month’s Maker of the Month exhibition.

Lesley Thornton studied Textile Design at the Scottish College of Textiles. After graduating in 1984, she worked in theatre wardrobe at The Byre Theatre and The Royal Opera House, before going on to design and produce textile accessories for a number of fabric designers. Thornton now produces textile work under her own label 'Crimson'.

Working from her garden studio in the lee of the Ochil Hills, Thornton’s mission is to make fabulous things from beautiful fabric. An experienced kiltmaker of 13 years, she was inspired whilst working with traditional Scottish tartans to use them in new and unusual ways. This started her range of contemporary tartan 'jewellery'.

Thornton’s exhibition includes new designs and colourways of her ever popular tartan jewellery – intricate twists and knots in the brightest plaids, and a flock of exotic tartan 'Burdies'; fashion accessories in an eclectic mix of tartan and vintage fabrics. Thornton describes this exhibition as “an exciting opportunity to showcase my new work at one of Edinburgh's most vibrant exponents of contemporary Scottish design.”

Fiona McIntosh, Co-owner of Concrete Wardrobe comments, “Crimson is always popular with locals and visitors to Edinburgh alike. Thornton’s designs use traditional Scottish imagery to create new, exciting and contemporary pieces you just want to pick up and wear.”

Crimson is on display at Concrete Wardrobe from 1^st to 31st October 2012.

Lesley Thornton will be in Concrete Wardrobe on Saturday 6th October 2012 from 12-2pm so you can meet and greet your maker!!

News Release: Immediate Release             

From Trad to Plaid: New Ways with Tartan

October 2012 sees the textile accessories of Lesley Thornton’s ‘Crimson’ label on display at Concrete Wardrobe for this month’s Maker of the Month exhibition.

Lesley Thornton studied Textile Design at the Scottish College of Textiles. After graduating in 1984, she worked in theatre wardrobe at The Byre Theatre and The Royal Opera House, before going on to design and produce textile accessories for a number of fabric designers. Thornton now produces textile work under her own label 'Crimson'.

Working from her garden studio in the lee of the Ochil Hills, Thornton’s mission is to make fabulous things from beautiful fabric. An experienced kiltmaker of 13 years, she was inspired whilst working with traditional Scottish tartans to use them in new and unusual ways. This started her range of contemporary tartan 'jewellery'.

Thornton’s exhibition will include new designs and colourways of her ever popular tartan jewellery – intricate twists and knots in the brightest plaids, and a flock of exotic tartan 'Burdies'; fashion accessories in an eclectic mix of tartan and vintage fabrics. Thornton describes this exhibition as “an exciting opportunity to showcase my new work at one of Edinburgh's most vibrant exponents of contemporary Scottish design.”

Fiona McIntosh, Co-owner of Concrete Wardrobe comments, “Crimson is always popular with locals and visitors to Edinburgh alike. Thornton’s designs use traditional Scottish imagery to create new, exciting and contemporary pieces you just want to pick up and wear.”

Crimson will be on display at Concrete Wardrobe from 1^st to 31st October 2012.

New Opening Hours: Concrete Wardrobe is open Monday to Saturday 11am to 7pm. Sunday 12 to 5pm.

Concrete Wardrobe 50a Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3SA

ENDS

PR: Katherine Emtage. Co-Owners: James Donald and Fiona McIntosh

News release: Immediate Release

Tartan Twists

This June, Concrete Wardrobe will be exhibiting the fabric jewellery and accessories by Scottish based designer maker Lesley Thornton.

Under her trading name ‘Crimson’, Thornton will be using this opportunity to showcase new work and statement pieces including brooches, neckpieces, cowls, skinny scarves and wigs, alongside her standard range of jewellery Concrete Wardrobe shoppers already love. Her prices range from £12 for a handmade key fob, to £150 for a one-off wig.

Thornton has worked as a professional kilt maker since 1998. This experience of working with tartan inspired her to experiment with the traditional fabric in new and innovative ways. For example, she has created a range of long necklaces, consisting of bundles of complex knots and fabric beads in vibrant blends of tartan - a cross between a necklace and a scarf. She says “tartan has no need to be traditional. It is a versatile fabric that lends itself to contemporary use.” Thornton usually works with the fabric cut on the bias, which transforms the appearance and proportions of the original check, and also gives great drape and elasticity to the fabric, making it possible to cover flexible surfaces, such as plastic tubing, a technique she has employed on a selection of her jewellery.

Using tartan is very important to Thornton, although she abhors the use of tartan for tartan’s sake. She aims to make items that not only enhance the tartan fabric, but are themselves enhanced by being made in tartan.

Fiona McIntosh, Co-owner of Concrete Wardrobe commented “at Concrete Wardrobe we love seeing traditional techniques employed creatively to produce contemporary and wearable pieces. Crimson has achieved this beautifully.”

Crimson jewellery and accessories will be on display at Concrete Wardrobe from 1^st to 30^th June 2011.

Concrete Wardrobe is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm. Sunday 12 - 4pm.

Concrete Wardrobe 50a Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3SA 

ENDS

PR: Katherine Emtage. Co-Owners: James Donald & Fiona McIntosh