Now On: Paint! Pattern! Print! – Celebrating the Creative Legacy of Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell

Paint! Pattern! Print! The Textiles of Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell offers visitors an inspiring insight into the creative partnership that transformed British textile design across both fashion and interiors. Showcasing an extensive collection from the Collier Campbell Archive, the exhibition at the Fashion + Textile Museum, London traces the sisters’ remarkable journey from hand-painted artwork to beautifully realised printed textiles, celebrating over five decades of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

From the outset, the exhibition reveals how Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell drew endless inspiration from the natural world. Vibrant florals, birds, animals and organic, repeated forms feature throughout their work, demonstrating an intuitive understanding of colour, composition and repeat pattern. Their painterly approach over the decades remains instantly recognisable.

One of the exhibition’s standout moments is The Studio, a recreation of the sisters’ creative workspace. Studio walls covered with pinned sketches, painted samples, treasured objects and visual references provide a fascinating glimpse into the design process. Overflowing with ideas and inspiration, the installation captures the energy of a working creative environment, illustrating how observation, experimentation and curiosity underpin successful textile design. Rather than focusing solely on finished products, the exhibition celebrates the often-chaotic process that leads to exceptional creative outcomes.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors are guided through every stage of the textile design process, from the first paintbrush strokes to repeat patterns, colour development and finally their application across fashion fabrics, interiors and homeware. The emphasis on craftsmanship and hand-painted design provides an important reminder of the artistry involved in textile production before the widespread adoption of digital technologies.

Beyond their creative achievements, Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell were also pioneering businesswomen. At a time when Britain faced economic uncertainty, they established themselves as designer-converters, taking control of the production process from original artwork through to finished printed cloth. This approach enabled them to retain ownership of their designs while overseeing colour development, fabric quality and print production – an innovative business model that was particularly groundbreaking for the period.

Their collaborations with leading British brands including Liberty, Heals and Jaeger further cemented their reputation, bringing their distinctive painterly designs to audiences around the world. Whether applied to fashion, furnishing fabrics or home accessories, their work consistently demonstrated the versatility and commercial potential of beautifully executed surface pattern design.

The exhibition also prompts reflection on the enduring relevance of hand-crafted creativity. In today’s design landscape, where digital tools and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly prominent, Paint! Pattern! Print! highlights the timeless value of drawing, painting and observational research. It reinforces the idea that successful design begins not with technology, but with creativity, curiosity and an understanding of the world around us.

For fashion and textile students, industry professionals and anyone with an appreciation for surface pattern, the exhibition provides both inspiration and valuable insight into the creative process. It demonstrates that pattern is far more than decoration – it communicates mood, tells stories and creates lasting emotional connections through colour and form.

Paint! Pattern! Print! is a fitting celebration of two of Britain’s most influential textile designers. Their legacy continues to inspire new generations of creatives, while the exhibition itself serves as a powerful reminder that great design is rooted in craftsmanship, experimentation and the evolvement of a winning signature style.

Paint! Pattern! Print! The Textiles of Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell runs until 13th September 2026 at the Fashion + Textile Museum, Bermondsey, London SE1 3XF.

Words and images by JoJo Iles