A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to break up an incredibly boring Wednesday with lunch at Vanderhurd. There are few things I enjoy more than a good lunch, and this one was excellent. I've been stepping foot in Vanderhurd for some time. It's a showroom that never ceases to delight me. Add a glass of wine into the mix, and you've got yourself a humdinger of a day. The wine wasn't the only thing that made this lunch so lovely; it also had something to do with the woman herself, Christine Van Der Hurd.
Christine has been working in textiles since the 1970s. Soon after she graduated from Winchester Arts College, she was designing for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Libertys, Etro & Yves Saint Laurent. One might worry that it would be hard to keep up with a start so bright. Well, one does not need to. Christine's career has spanned over 35 years, steadily setting herself and Vanderhurd up as quiet titans of the industry. Whether collaborating with some of the biggest names in the business, such as Jacques Grange, Jonathan Reed and Kit Kemp, or working on some notable projects in the UK & New York, Christine continues to grow Vanderhurd in a beautifully organic way.
When she brings designs out they seem to have instant clout. The collaboration with Adam Bray, which produced 'Waver', was an immediate success and set off a line of poor imitations. But as the imitations are inevitably washed away with the tides of change, 'Waver' sits beautifully as a piece I would still give my left arm for. Don't even get me started with the new design 'Ponti' - pure joy.
Vanderhurd is still as busy as ever. After our lunch, they played host to a team of interior designers to peruse the collections and samples. Thankfully Christine does not do this alone; she has an excellent team that seems just as in love with the brand as she is. And one must not forget those skilled artisans and weavers from India and Nepal who make her designs come to life. As Christine rightly says: "These contemporary woven carpets, just as antique oriental carpets have been in the past, will become heirlooms in the future."
I sent this questionnaire to Christine just before she flew to New York to see another project come into being. As always, I feel terrible for making people stop their busy lives to find out whether or not they believe in star signs, but that's where we are now. So all I can do is thank Christine for her time!
Do you believe in ghosts?
Absolutely! 17 Portobello Road is often visited. They have been seen by my mother & now me, never threatening, from time to time passing through…… just letting us know they are still around.
Best Moment in your career so far?
Gosh, there have been so many, hard to pinpoint. It has been a long and amazing career, collaborating with the top designers around the world. Colour, texture, pattern and design have remained a constant highpoint. This was something that was brought home when recently starting to archive my designs, going through almost five decades. I realised how my passion has remained constant when sometimes all else has failed and it continues to give me unbounded pleasure.
Favourite Restaurant?
That’s a tough one! Having spent over half my life living in NYC, I have a special love for Il Buco Alimentari. Delicious food, ambience, memories….
What is your favourite day of the week?
Friday, I still love walking down Portobello & Golborne road, bumping into friends talking with the stallholders & sometimes finding treasures…
What would your autobiography be called?
To Hell and back.
Favourite Smell?
Jasmine , Parfumerie Madini in Tangier sells the best.
Favourite Colour?
Blue and most every shade and permutation it can offer.
What movie can you watch over and over without ever getting tired of?
Babylon Berlin- (Not exactly a movie )
Best love scene ever/ Season 3 Episode 9.
I have now watched this 28 part Series 5 times, I never cease to discover something new.
Do you believe in Star Signs?
I’d like to say yes, but I’m always surprised by how different people can be when born under the same star sign. Astrology is a complex web so dependent on our individual placement in time. Having said that I’m often attracted towards Geminis (My own!)
A song that can always make your foot tap?
Caro Emerald – “A night like this”
Huge Thank You To Christine, Click Here To Follow Vanderhurd!
+44 207 313 5400
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Monday - Friday
10am - 6pm
Comments