Karel Martens

Presenting an innovative collaboration, Liberty Fabrics invited experimental Dutch Designer, Karel Martens, to curate a capsule collection of designs for SS24.

Karel Martens graduated from the Arnhem School of Art, Holland in 1961, inspiring his 60-year career as a Designer. Beginning in a time before the ease of technologically produced art, Karel’s organic approach to design is demonstrated in his hand printed portfolio, ranging from stamps and book designs, including his work for the Dutch architectural journal, OASE. Karel has also worked on publicly commissioned building facades, such as the visually transformative murals for the newly established Cancer Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London.

With direction from Karel, the Liberty Fabrics Designers transformed his iconic hand printed monoprints into wearable textiles by playing with scale and layout to curate the collection. Working between the Liberty Fabrics London design studio, the Italian printing mill, and Karel’s Amsterdam studio, the final designs honour his wonderfully rich use of colour and graphic composition in his complex layering printing practice.

An eclectic array of vibrant geometric prints explores a Dutch Modernist approach to creating textiles in a new light. Mixing his hand drawn motifs with digital collages, these fabrics celebrate exciting interpretations of his work. Printed at the Liberty Fabrics mill located near the banks of Lake Como, using both cutting-edge technology and traditional techniques.