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Sydney based designers, Pepa Martin and Karen Davis specialise in their own contemporary take of the ancient Japanese art of shibori. Working alongside many big name designers and stylists they find joy in the challenge of a big scale project and enjoy working to fulfill sometimes unthinkable ideas. Using fabric as their medium, Shibori produces unique one off pieces by hand using commercial grade fabric or leather to fit all the commercial requirements.
The Beresford Hotel Sydney
Upstairs @ The Beresford Hotel
Surry Hills
We were delighted to be part of stylist Sibella Court’s commercial project working with Justin Hemmes and the Merivale Group. Upstairs at the Beresford Hotel is a ‘New York’ style club and venue for live music. Shibori created hand dyed, one of a kind 5-metre high stage curtains. With graduating autumn tones the curtains create a stunning backdrop to showcase the entertainment. We also indigo shibori dyed curtains, lamps and a leather covered DJ box for the lounge area. It was a thrill to have shibori featured in an exciting part of Sydney’s nightlife.
Macquarie University and Hospital Macquarie Park
For the imaginative party theme, 80 Days Around the World, we were commissioned by Kelly Ross of The Gentry to create a full size hot air balloon. It was a popular party feature made entirely out of dip-dyed fabric that faded from yellow through to blue.
We were commissioned by The Collaborative to design a custom tie-dyed stage backdrop for the Sydney Orchestra’s performance at the MCA. It was an impressive piece at 15m long x 7m high and formed the visual foundation for a desert dreamscape. In muted tonal hues that mirrored the Australian desert horizon, we created movement through soft ochres, rich rusts and silvery blues.
The Collaborative - event design & management
Macquarie Bank Head Office Sydney City The iconic 1 Shelley St incorporates a playful touch to activity based working. Level eight named ‘The Studio’ was designed by Woods Bagot Architects in collaboration with Frost Design with an over arching Japanese theme inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture and pop culture, as well as tradition and shibori. We used natural indigo dye to create large wall screens as well as digital manipulation for wallpaper. The finished product sets new standards in contemporary work environments.
The Gentry The Exchange Hotel, Balmain The Craftsman Bar was designed by Kelly Ross of The Gentry. Kelly came to us with the idea of a rustic bar with mixed textures. We offered her a shibori technique where rust is transferred from old rusted tools onto fabric, creating a very authentic, rusted look. We also individually dyed 100 suede hides for The Library section of the bar that were made into dramatic patchwork leather curtains.
Accomplishments Founded 2006 2006 - 2010 Established techniques, created a brand, Trade shows and sold to many retails stores 2010 - Exhibition “Designing with Fabric” Launched new dyed range 2010 November - Refurbishment of Macquarie Bank head office. 1 Shelley St. 2011 June - Refurbishment of @ Upstairs The Beresford Hotel, Sydney. 2011 November - Full scale 2 colour dip dyed Hot air balloon for Macquarie Hospital Xmas Party themed ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ 2011 - Launch Shibori’s own dye range “Dye Da Vida” 2012 Feb - Refurbishment of The Exchange Hotel, Balmain 2012 March - Series of Workshops at the Powerhouse Museum 2012 April - Workshops at Cranbrook Private Boys School 2012 May - Publish book, “Shibori Recreated – A Place for Shibori in the 21st Century” 2012 May - Exhibition at Koskela Design Centre 2012 May - Hand dyed upholstery leather for Greengate Hotel, Kirribilli. 2012 May to Current - Series of Workshops at Koskela Design Centre 2012 June - Presentation at AGNSW for Kamisaka Sekka exhibition 2012 June - Feature wall piece 15 metres x 7 metres at the MCA gallery 2012 August - Travelled to Arnhem land to teach Aboriginal communities Indigo dyeing techniques 2012 Oct – Current - Worked with STARTS govt agency in collaborations with refugee Tigi Dankay from Sierra Leone. 2013 Jan - Refurbishment Woodside Energy Offices - Perth 2013 March - Upholstery grade leather hand dyed for KPDO project. 2013 Collaboration with Jacqui Fink of Little Dandelion (hand knitted giant throws) 2013 Collaboration with Sibella Court and McTavish Surf boards Byron Bay on inlay hand dyed cloth into custom made surf boards. 2013 - Fit out “The Island” with Sibella Court @ The Maldives