My story & philosophy
One of my favourite photos is of me sitting on a doorstep at the age of 4 with a colouring pad and crayons. I've always had a fascination with colour and the urge to channel that creatively has just got stronger throughout my life. My formal training came later in life when, as a mature student I obtained a degree in Textile Design at the Winchester School of Art in the UK. Owning and operating my own studio has been a rare treat which I appreciate every day of my life.
The process of making garments to wear from a range of natural materials is as exciting now as it must have been thousands of years ago and I cannot see a time when that thrill will ever diminish.
Formally trained & utterly dedicated
"I could never imagine doing anything else"
I started my textiles career as a printed designer working with screen prints, batik and hand painting.
After gaining a degree in woven textile design at Winchester School of Art, a successful showing at New Designers in London saw Zandra Rhodes' Fashion & Textile Museum stocking pieces from my first collection. Since that time I have been freelance and have sold my work to a number of designers including Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and GAP.
When a holiday home in France became my permanent residence, the search began to find suitable premises to open a studio. After a few false starts, we finally found a lovely building just crying out to be given a new lease of life. This adorable, double-fronted, three storey complex would be the perfect place to let my creative flair flourish. Today 'Atelier Quinze' is where I design, make and sell beautiful hand-made products (not only my weave but also jewellery and bags made from vintage fabrics); those clients unable to visit my studio can buy from my website.
Beverley Hicklin
Beverley Hicklin, Studio Principal
CARING FOR YOUR HANDWOVEN PRODUCTS
Handwoven garments need care - see how to care for your handwoven textiles.
The journey of a scarf
From my designer's crayons to
the finished product
I experience a journey of discovery with many technical and creative challenges.
The process of making hand woven cloth is a lengthy one. From raw fibre through spinning and dyeing to the final woven product, many procedures are involved. Work starts with visual research and the selection of a colour palette. The warp is then designed when different combinations of weave structures and yarns are selected.
Next the yarns are finalised before being hand dyed where necessary and finally wound and threaded onto the loom. This process can take a number of days depending on the complexity of the warp being made. It is only at this point that the cloth can be woven.
Once the weaving is completed, I will sometimes over-dye to achieve my final colours before washing and finishing the cloth. Scarves, wraps and throws will often have hand twisted hems, a lengthy process but one I feel gives a beautiful finish to the end product. Then with my steam iron I press each garment and finally, stitch in my label.