Scopophilic Pleasures Velvet Fabric

This design was created as part of a heritage commission Who’s That Girl? by Est1761 to uncover the hidden and neglected stories of the women in the Bridgewater archives and collections.

The fabric was created in response to “Cartes des Vistes”

Pit brow lasses were photographed and their portraits were turned into ‘Cartes des Vistes” which were sold and mostly purchased by middle and upper class men.

My concept for this theme references the objectification of the women through the production and sale of these postcards – the pleasure that men gained from looking and the Victorian ideologies of feminism and moral supremacy. This work was also inspired by “The power to fix the gaze: Gender and class in Victorian photographs of pit‐brow women” written by Sarah Edge.

Linking to my existing collaborative work with scientists from the Wellcome Centre for Cell Matrix Research, I created a print design which originates from a microscopic cellular image of a retina. I have turned this microscopic image of the eye into a large scale print to emphasise the weight of the male gaze.

My unique fabric designs incorporate both hand printed and digital processes and are printed onto velvet and satin cotton fabric in the UK.  

This design is available in a range of fabrics, please email me if you would like an alternative to velvet.

I also offer a bespoke interiors service which includes custom curtains, cushions and lampshades, get in touch if you would like to work together.