for our resort collection, we collaborated with london-based designer and artist Ellen Merchant to design two prints exclusively for minnow. we caught up with Ellen to talk about everything from her beautiful work and personal style to her favorite souvenir.
tell us about yourself! where you're located, about your beautiful life.
I am a British textile designer and decorative artist based by the sea in East Sussex, England where I live and work with my husband, and little dog Marmo. I live in a tiny ancient town on a hill by the sea. My studio is in an old barn where I use traditional print techniques to design my patterns for textiles.
you have such an inspiring career. what led you to become an artist?
Thank you, I have always known I wanted to be an artist — even when I was small I was always drawing and making things. I sold my first piece of art while I was still at school, then I went straight to art college and learnt more about other practices and industries like textiles, fashion and interiors. I didn’t grow up around anyone doing anything similar to me, so I was largely self taught and followed my own interests.
as an artist, where do you find inspiration for yourself?
I have an eclectic mix of influences, I often look to arts and crafts design and antique textiles for inspiration, but I like to mix that with retro print and colours in playful modern styles to create something new and unique.
describe your personal style in three words.
Joy, craft, colour
describe to us the feeling of seeing your designs appear on something like our new resort collection for the first time.
It is really lovely to see my designs used in new ways! The resort collection looks wonderful, it’s amazing to think of the journey of the designs from my original sketch to now.
now, in the spirit of our resort season, we have a few travel-related questions…
what’s in your carryon?
Snacks, headphones, a sketchbook.
my go-to in-flight beverage is…
Champagne, if on offer!
my go-to travel uniform is…
Something comfy, but chic daytime pajamas rather than tracksuits
my biggest piece of travel advice is…
Don’t be late!
aisle or window?
Window, always
my favorite souvenir…
I love bringing home some kind of olive oil or spice from a trip.
my room service order is…
Pudding!
my bucket list destination…
I have yet to visit India, I’m desperate to go and see all the block printing in Jaipur.
my favorite soundtrack for road trips…
Fleetwood Mac
my favorite destination…
I almost always go to Southern Italy on holiday, I particularly love Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
my favorite vacation memory as a child…
Road trips with our dog