The Channel Silk Kimono is the second silk piece from our Saturna collection.

Channel's artwork was initially inspired by a photograph on our moodboard, taken while kayaking on a fjord on the Pacific coast of Canada. It showed a refracted purple starfish under the glassy surface of the pacific ocean.

A purple starfish under the water near Jug Island, Canada.

At the beginning of the artwork development process, collaborating artist Jamie House intended for the print to represent a microscopic sample of water. This idea eventually developed into to what Jamie called a "dreamy topological chaos". Scanning one of his ceramic and glass paint works, Jamie digitally manipulated it to become a dreamlike representation of morning clouds and mist:

"Rather than manipulating the paints with gravity, I let the chemicals interact with each other to create cloud-like structures which I had no control over. I wanted the print to feel as if you are very high up looking down through clouds onto an etheric map, choosing where to go next."

What started as a micro representation of water finished with an atmospheric macro view from above. The creative process resulted in a kimono with a nebulous feel. It's a representation of the complexity of life in the universe, from a tiny microscopic drop of water to the vast galaxy in which we live.

Channel's slightly holographic silk was supplied and printed by Adamley, a heritage silk printer based in the countryside of Macclesfield, England.

Macclesfield is known for its craft of hand-printed silk, and Adamley has been printing with these traditional techniques for over 50 years. They're a GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified company, with all water used in their printing processes sourced from their own reservoir.

Silk is a natural fabric and biodegradable, though it is worth noting traditional silk production kills silkworms in the process.

Channel was manufactured at our local small-batch production studio in East London. They specialize in high-end production, working with many emerging designers and brands in the city. Each kimono was made by hand in-studio by their talented seamstresses and cutters.

The small batch Channel Silk Kimono can be purchased here.