Vicki Murdoch /// Silken Favours

Posted by thizzfacedisco on August 19, 2011

Vicki Murdoch, founder of Silken Favours, in her Hackney studio

Visiting Vicki Murdoch at her Hackney home is a veritable treat. Residing in a fantastically creative space which also houses her studio, it is here that Vicki dreams up and designs pieces for her delightfully named luxury label, Silken Favours.

After a successful career in modelling, Vicki decided to follow her talent for illustration and completed a degree in Textiles at Chelsea Art School, specialising in digital print and graduating with a first class degree. Her final degree piece, entitled ‘The Catavan’, involved her transforming a 1960s caravan into a cat-themed paradise which she then toured around Britain during festival season. Parts of The Catavan now intersperse the eclectic furniture in her studio and home, accompanied by colourful silks, prints and vintage fabrics.

Silken Favours began 2 years ago as a bespoke scarf project, when Vicki designed a scarf for her parents that featured the birds that would fly into their garden in Aberdeen. Many bespoke scarves have been commissioned since, some of which can be seen on her website along with the wonderful story behind each design. As well as the beautiful silk neck scarves, there are head scarves and turbans; each piece bursting with creativity and colour. The design for each scarf is intricately drawn by hand and then coloured-in digitally (this part is all done by Vicki in her studio), and the scarves are then made in Sussex, before coming back to the studio to be beautifully packaged.

Silken Favours was spotted at the Liberty Best of British Open Call in April 2011, and 7 different silk scarf designs were bought exclusively. Each scarf has a different theme and name: Butterflies and Beasties; Puppy Passion; Precious Pussies. The influence of cats is present throughout Vicki’s work and home, and she has recently acquired a new member of the Silken Favours team, a chocolate Persian named Flora.

It sounds like this is just the beginning for Silken Favours, with lots of new creations currently in the pipeline. I spotted a sample of wallpaper which I rather hope is pursued; I can’t imagine anything more lovely than being surrounded by Vicki Murdoch’s wonderful drawings.

Find Silken Favours in store and online at Liberty

SilkenFavours.com

Flora sleeps amongst pieces from The Catavan



A silk scarf packaged and ready to go



Samples and drawings in Vicki’s studio



Vicki with Flora, her chocolate Persian



A horse print silk turban



Style Disco favourite: “Precious Pussies” silk scarf



Vicki’s boutique-like bedroom