THORP OF LONDON
Committed to the preservation of specialist knowledge, Pierre Frey has acquired the artisan creator of made-to-order fabrics and wallpapers THORP OF LONDON (BERNARD THORP). Maison Pierre Frey completes its circle of expertise in fabric and furniture manufacturing with the addition of the craft of screen-printing on fabrics and wallpapers in the eternal quest to enhance the value of luxury craftsmanship.
ORIGINS
Originally founded by Bernard Thorp in 1971, the London-based company quickly established itself as an expert in traditional hand screen-printing. Highly passionate and strengthened by his extended experience at Warner Textiles, Bernard Thorp is an avant-garde creative. He has created a unique concept that sets him apart from all other editors by offering his clients a hand-crafted, made-to-order service. He targets a discerning international clientele of aesthetes and connoisseurs in search of authentic exclusive luxury.
TIMELINE
1971
CREATION OF THORP OF LONDON
Strengthened by his extented experience at Warner Textiles, Bernard Thord founded the London-based company THORP OF LONDON in 1971.
HUNDREDS OF DESIGNS IN AN ENGLISH DECORATIVE SPIRIT
Bernard Thorp put together his first collections by acquiring drawings from artists or taking direct inspiration from antique fabrics found in auction houses. Sprawling florals printed in warm and eveloping mid-tones, the collection was enriched by collaborations with great decorators such as David Hicks and John Fowler. In contrast, contemporary stripes and geometric pattern in sharp colour combinations were added, placing the creations in a resolutely English decorative spirit: simple and exuberant, sensitive and audacious, elegant, classic and eccentric.
A LARGE PALETTE OF COLOURS
With the help of the print workshop manager, Bernard Thorp reinterprets the designs by breaking down the patterns by colour; each shade in each design represents one screen. A colour chart of more than 350 shades has been created and each colour can be conbined or shaded to fit to the required effect.
A MULTITUDE OF DESIGNS AND CLOTHS
It is possible to apply every screen-printed design onto a wide variety of fabrics and wallpapers. Cottons, linens, jutes, silks, moirés, velvets, suedes, papers or non-wovens with multiple textural effects... all giving the designs entirely different dimensions and allowing a very high level of customisation.
2022
PRESERVATION OF A KNOW-KNOW
Dedicated to preserving timeless crafts, Pierre Frey has once again confirmed its commitment to preserving knowledge and keeping traditional techniques alive, firmly convinced that they contribute to inspiring creation and the arts in the broadest sense.
