Up Close & Personal with Urban Fabrics

We recently chatted to Philip Pikus, the man behind the remarkable brand at Urban Fabrics, about the latest trends in design and his ethos to produce ethically-sourced textiles.

LEFT: Charcoal/Bone Bamboo Boucle from the Contemporary Classics. RIGHT: New Coastal collection of outdoor fabrics

Philip is a celebrated South African designer with a tangible passion for fashion and interior design. Joining him as Sales Director at Urban Fabrics, Vera McKenzie brings with her over 40 years of industry expertise and added zeal for beautiful textiles and designs. We were excited to find out more about the latest ventures at Urban Fabrics and what we can look forward to from this exciting team in the near future. You both bring a wealth of knowledge and industry experience to the world of fabrics and beautiful interiors in South Africa. What is the inspiration behind your collaboration at Urban Fabrics? “Both Vera and myself bring our own unique strengths and experience to the business. I will continue, as Creative Director for Urban Fabrics and all future Philip Pikus Collections will be under the Urban Umbrella. Vera has joined as our Sales Director but of course, with her wealth of experience of what sells and at what price points, we are working together developing and conceptualising new ranges. The Philip Pikus collections will continue to be our premium brand of carefully edited, timeless classics with a slightly more sophisticated look and feel.

Bamboo boucle in Charcoal/Bone from the Contemporary Classics collection

The Urban Collections will cover a much broader spectrum of both fabrics and colours, closely following international and local trends. More price sensitive collections will be added to the Urban Portfolio, as well as ranges for Contract use.” Who is your ideal client? “For Urban Fabrics, our ideal clients are designers and architects, wanting to find well-priced fabrics for both domestic and corporate/contract use. The Philip Pikus client is someone who understands a slightly more sophisticated approach to design. Those that love natural fibres and a more understated, timeless look.” Your ethos has always been on local, ethically sourced goods. What is the driving factor behind this? “The ethos behind both Urban Fabrics and the Philip Pikus brand will always be to source ethically, and wherever possible, locally. Whatever products we can’t produce locally will be sourced internationally with a conscience.” What are some of the global trends and inspirations that you hope to see translated into fabrics and interiors in South Africa over the next season? “I think we live in a world where fashion and trends are changing and shifting faster than ever. We closely follow trends, both Internationally as well as the new, exciting African buzz, and take direction and inspiration from them to build to our ranges.” Contact: Urban Fabrics