St Leger & Viney: East to West

The enduring fascination with the treasures of the East led to intrepid traders making perilous journeys through uncharted lands to bring exquisite woven and embroidered textiles to the West. The fabrics of each region they passed through, from the great cities of China across Central Asia to the Ottoman Empire, reflected the changing styles and exotic designs of each territory.

Those extraordinary embroidery and weaving skills, which had been passed down through generations over hundreds of years, also brought to Europe superb silks and gorgeous damasks. ‘East to West’ is GP & J Baker’s homage to the diversity of these remarkable textiles, taking inspiration from its own vast archive, full of sublime riches, the result of many decades of the Baker family’s own adventurous travel and passionate collecting which continues through to the present day. This amazing collection is available locally through St Leger & Viney. Encompassing stunning fantasy floral and ethnic embroideries, opulent damasks and a glorious Chinoiserie inspired print, as well as superbly coloured vintage linens, velvets and textural weaves, the namesake of the collection ‘East to West’ is a spectacular design of boats with multi coloured sails of vibrant ikat embroidery reflecting the amazing journeys and adventures of the past. Ann Grafton, Creative and Managing Director of GP & J Baker, says: “The East to West collection reflects the emerging trend for a new colour palette of ochre, coral, blush pink and peacock and the resurgence of layered, decorative pattern which has been seen for several seasons in high fashion and is now filtering into decorating schemes for the home”. Designed to harmonise with ‘East to West’ as well as other GP&J Baker collections, ‘Essential Colours’ is an extensive library of 130 beautiful textured fabrics ranging from sumptuous chenilles, smart herringbones, small scale geometrics to semi plain jacquard stripes presented in a series of easy to use distinctive colour palettes.