In theory, textile design can be as limitless as the imagination, but there is little proof of this in public perception and usage. In practice, the all-female group of designers that form Puff & Flock have pushed—no, walloped—the envelope on creativity, while maintaining the all important functionality.

The British-based company features highly accomplished female textile designers from the UK, France and Switzerland that design independently, but with a shared purpose of elevating the possibilities in design, as well as awareness among consumers. Amelie Labarthe, Aurelie Mosse, Melissa French, Elisabeth Buecher, Jo Angell, Kathy Schicker, Jenny Leary, and Aysseline Roy are all current members who have created such amazing creations from magnetic tile wallcoverings that react to magnetic fields to inflatable showers that provide a most thorough showering experience, while preserving water consumption by a staggering amount.

In addition to fighting the connoations associated with conceptual design in the public sphere, the all-female group also has to fight against the stigma that would imagine them as drawing and cutting out pretty things with no substance or purpose. Quite the contrary.  The eclectic group of women seamlessly integrates aspects of material science, fine arts, academic research, storytelling, imagination and feasibility into their work.

With an already increasing flock of admirers, Puff & Flock look set to take textile design to place it has not been in a while: forward.

by EJ Jacobs