Erin Cowley
A textile designer specialising in interiors within a set design application, with a passion for digital print design. I have an interest in creating narrative through my work to immerse viewers into characters stories.
This project explores the concept of legacy, examining how individuals are remembered throughout history and how certain lives can capture the imaginations of future generations. My focus is on the enduring legacy of the Mitford sisters with an emphasis on the interwar period.
Through this body of work, I investigate why the Mitford family has been immortalised in history and how the political, social and marital actions of each sister can shape or even overshadow the historical perception of the family legacy. The collection seeks to interpret each sister’s unique story and personality through textile design, that would be used to create set pieces for a proposed film series adaptation.
My design process is always heavily concept driven, with my final project testing the idea of family bonds. I have explored different periods of history and studied pioneering artists of the interwar period to help influence my work.
Material choice plays a critical role in the project’s storytelling. British wool and durable cottons are featured throughout, representing the sisters’ traditional upper-class British upbringing and echoing the materials prevalent in pre-World War II England. Designed for longevity, these pieces are intended for use in the set design industry, with the vision of repurposing them in future historical adaptation projects.
The reoccurring motif of the forget-me-not flower is seen throughout several of the designs to symbolise the idea of legacy and to show the bond of family can never truly be forgotten.