Olivia Mew: combining textiles and modern technology

We don’t always appreciate how traditional design has inspired modern pieces, but Olivia Mew shows how combining 19^th century design with modern techniques can really work. 

Olivia Mew is an illustrator and textile designer based in Montreal, Canada. After obtaining a BFA in Fibres from Concordia University, she turned to the illustrative/surface design side of her field. Since then she has worked on building up her own brand of printed textile products, which she sells through her online shop as well as through various shops worldwide. 

“As well as developing my own products, I also work as a freelance illustrator. I have a special interest in designing patterns for textiles, paper products and wall coverings. I have a library of patterns that are available to license and I’m always interested in creating new designs for clients too.” On Olivia’s Etsy site there are some great pieces for Christmas. The Christmas card set comes as a set of four and consists of cute prints featuring robins! Her Christmas tree ornaments are extremely cute and you need to have at least one on your tree this year. 

If you’re looking for a present for someone, or maybe you feel like treating yourself, one of Olivia’s scarves are a must. Whether you pick her silk moth scarf-death’s head or silk cat scarf-Artemis, you know you will have something truly individual round your neck.

Olivia went on to tell us what inspires her: “I’m inspired by weird feelings. I’m fond of the sarcastic, cynical and poignant. Stylistically I look to historical design greats like William Morris and Owen Jones as well as contemporary artists such as Sam Weber, Marcel Dzama and lots of others. I love to work; I love having friends who do creative things and who motivate me with their own work ethic.” You can definitely see the 19^th century influence within her Christmas cards. 

Olivia has proved that you can be influenced by even the smallest things in life. Head over to her Etsy site for more pieces by clicking here. 

Jenny Rodgers