Emma Shipley: where fine art meets high fashion

The Upcoming was lucky enough to meet young artist and designer Emma J Shipley at London Fashion Weekend. Shipley had a stand with her luxurious scarves draping from the rails, and a table filled with her intricate pencil drawings of nature and jungle animals.

The young artist explained that she initially draws her sketches onto paper, then using computer technologies and the finest of silks she transfers her designs onto them. The extreme attention to detail in her pencil drawings is breath-taking and these are then printed onto fine silks and wools made in Italy. The designs are a wondrous combination of fine art and high fashion. 

The Emma Shipley label was launched at LFW in 2012 straight after the designer graduated from the Royal College of Art with an MA in textiles. Her attention to detail and distinctive identity has won her numerous industry awards in drawing and pattern. 

Shipley’s scarf collection for A/W 2013 that was launched at Somerset House is timeless and wearable. Shipley explained to The Upcoming that her new collection drew inspiration from a recent African safari trip that she took with her father who was visiting his roots, but she gained an unexpected inspiration from the trip. As soon as she returned home she drew patterns in nature’s innate irregularly and the mathematical structures behind them. Her S/S 2013 collection is already sold in Liberty, Fenwick, Fortnum and Mason, Harvey Nichols and much more. The Emma Shipley label is predicted to soar in success, as the blend of fine pencil art and wearable high fashion has never been explored to this extent before.

Leyla Nguyen

See more of Emma Shipley’s designs here.