I graduated from Central Saint Martins School of Fashion and Textiles (University of the Arts London) in 2001 with a BA(hons) in Textile Design. My areas of study were print, weave and knit. For my degree show I designed printed shirt-dresses for the transgender community. I was specially selected to discuss my degree show and general portfolio inspiration with the Design Laboratory.

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2001 was also the year when I decided to finish my career as a rock musician. I had been playing keyboards in bands since the age of 13. I had played in bands from many genres of music including mod, ska, goth, power pop, rock, indie and hard house. At the graduation party in 2001 for the BA textile design students at Central Saint Martins, my band The Batty Ryders performed at the legendary east London club Turnmills for all my college colleagues including our course director Peter Lees.

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Previous bands I had played in as keyboard player were: Anorexic Dread (goth), Boys Wonder (power pop), Gatecrash Heaven (rock), Golden Section (indie, Brit Pop), Batty Ryders (LGBT hard house)

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I performed hundreds of live concerts, playing in support bands to: Blur, Richie Havens, The Verve, Killing Joke, Steve Marriott, Wilko Johnson and John Cooper Clarke. In the band Gatecrash Heaven I played a private concert for the Motown legend, Diana Ross in Manhattan.

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 I have designed prints for several excellent European design studios that have sold my designs to major retailers worldwide. My current agent is Fusion CPH APS (Copenhagen). I previously worked for Amsterstampa (Amsterdam) and Jo & Co. (London)

 

Many companies worldwide have bought my designs including Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg, H&M, Anthropologie (Urban Outfitters), Top Shop, John Lewis, Peak Performance, Intersport, BCBG, Esprit, Desigual, Bestseller. I was also commissioned to make designs for haute couture. I worked with two of the most renowned fashion designers in the Netherlands: Josephus Thimister and Jan Taminiau. I worked with Jan Taminiau to produce a design for a large black lace shawl which he had handmade by traditional French lace makers for his catwalk show. I have also collaborated with other fashion designers and furnishing designers on specific design projects. I also enjoyed working with Dutch designer Sara Kramer on several home decor projects, including a duvet collection for one of the largest home-ware retailers in Europe, HEMA.

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Designing prints nearly every day for the last 16 years I have become extremely experienced at creating seamless repeats. I have also taught many students to perfect the technique. Sales of my designs over the years have indicated a natural strength in ornamental, decorative but specifically paisley designs. They are eye-catching and frequently bestsellers in retail stores worldwide.

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In June 2017 I decided to resume painting portraits and abstracts for pleasure. I used to enjoy painting when I was at school. I have included a photo of a still life painting, which I painted at school in 1981. Also on this page is a video of me painting a portrait of Fuad Al Qudsi, my friend from San Francisco who visited Southend in December 2016. The painting was included in the "100% Southend" art exhibition at Twenty One Gallery, Southend, Essex from July to October 2017.

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Professional Memberships:

The Performing Right Society (PRS)

Surface Pattern Design Guild (SPDG)

Southend-on-Sea Arts Council (SOSAC)

Thames Estuary Artisans (TEA)

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For a more detailed biography click on the Linkedin "in" icon at the bottom of each page of this website.