The Art of Contemporary Print Design by Karolina York Studio
DESIGN SPOTLIGHT: KAROLINA YORK
This LA Textile show season, we were excited to introduce our design community to new exhibitor Karolina York Print Studio. Based in Australia, the company is notable for its elevated aesthetic and an impressive portfolio that includes work for many of the industry’s top contemporary labels.
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josette@karolinayork.com • (+61) 435 640 772
MEET THE STUDIO
For over 15 years Karolina York has been designing surface patterns for some of the worlds’ most influential Apparel, Homeware and Product brands. Their designs don’t just end up on clothing. You can see their prints used across many surfaces, picnic rugs, wraps on company cars, bean bags, shade clothes and even digitally on a DJ set at Coachella. With their long term client partnerships, Karolina York is known for delivering exclusive artworks to brands such as Beach Riot, Derek Lam, Bonds Australia, H&M, Zara and Venus by Venus Williams to name a few.
Q&A WITH KAROLINA YORK
Where is Your Company Based?
HQ is in Sydney and we have an office in the UK. Our team travels globally New York, London, Barcelona, Stockholm, Paris and LA are homes away from home.
your company is new to la textile. What made you decide to join LA TEXTILE UPLOADED?
We are seasoned trade show exhibitors, presenting quarterly in New York and Paris with private showings for the rest of the year. This was our rhythm for 15 years. The pause to travel has opened the door to presenting collections virtually and what better event to start with than the LA Textile show?
What Do You Think Makes Your Company Stand Apart?
We draw inspiration from our idyllic Australian lifestyle and it is this unique perspective on colours and patterns that help us produce our distinctive print collections. This trademark style and elevated approach runs through all aspects of our operations. We pride ourselves on easy to follow digital files and every design is in repeat with either object layers or colour separations. Finally, each design goes through a rigorous critique and only the best make it through to print.
Alongside your Signature collection of designs, what else do you offer?
During the last year the demand for our one on one bespoke design service was more than tenfold that of 2019. It is always a privilege to work one on one with a client on a personal print commission. Trusted for our insight and experience we harness our creativity to get our customers where they need to be in their season.
Describe your NEW collection you are Excited to Introduce to us?
We are presenting a joyful collection, seeing a mix of classic seamless textures paired alongside expressive art house designs. Buyers are drawn to the warm colours from the golden hour of the day as the sun sets. Soft stripes with a digital tie-dye finish have been a popular move on from Zebra. And cabin style blooms and oversized interior inspired florals in unexpected colour palettes are picking up pace.
What surprise offering will you have for your clients in 2021?
We will be launching a new virtual shopping experience. The digital makeover will provide improved and interactive ways to view our designs. It will have a fresh look and customized features that will solve all design needs as we collectively embrace remote print buying.
What is the secret to your success?
Coffee!…
And the investment in our in-house design team. Some of our print designers have gone on to work for design heavyweights; Zimmerman and Camilla. It is a collaborative working environment where skills are shared enabling our designers to elevate their styles to suit the variety of clients we serve.
That being said our customers are everything, we continue to listen to their needs and it is they who keep us evolving and staying ahead.
What if every business could make a difference in their own way, just by doing what they normally do?
At the end of 2019, we had a call for change and began our journey on giving back. With every print purchased we contributed to positive causes throughout the world. To date we have made over 2,219 high impacts.
Any finishing words?
We work hard on the stories behind our ranges to make sure our customers know the trends we present. We have always been lauded for the little extras, like our trend mailers for regular print inspiration and more recently we launched an industry first illustrated Print Book. Updated weekly with new designs it is a means to present virtually in a more tangible way and has been a game changer for everyone.
Comprehensive print design can transform a collection, don’t be a stranger!
