Heal's Designers Archive

Heal's Designers Archive

Heal's has a worldwide reputation as a design led retailer, established in the early 20th Century from an understanding of the value and potential that good design delivers. Collaborating with established and up-and-coming designers, Heal's are constantly commissioning new designs, bringing their work to a wider audience. The Heal's Designers Archive provides information and images of some of Heal's past designer collaborations, including work from Heal's Discovers designers, Alex Hellum, Charlotte Tangye, Ella Peters, Ella Smith and Rachel Templeman.

Alex Hellum - Product Designer

"Nobody needs a dressing table" says furniture designer Alex Hellum. "It's not like a chair or a table - it's not about function. It's all about glamour. You have to want it."

So he has created Palette - a sleek, black table whose kidney shape hints at the 1930's. The accompanying stool is pert, daring you sit up straight. This is not occasional furniture - it's furniture that demands an occasion. We want it.

"I made it from beech" says Alex, a native Norwegian now based in Bucks where he teaches Furniture Design. "Wherever possible I use local timber because it has a vernacular quality that somehow comes through in the final product. Beech is very good for turning and this piece has lots of turning." The most eye-catching turn is the ring tree - a motif from the Peg chair he made for Heal's last year.

To find out more about Alex Hellum click here.

Charlotte Tangye - Product Designer

Charlotte studied English before going back to university in Manchester to study 3-D design. Footprint was part of a project she showed at New Designers in 2006. A tie rack, and a hat and coat rack are also designed exclusively as part of the collection. "I want to make products that invite you to engage with them in some way. To me, that's what Heal's is about."

"Footprint is made from powder coated steel. It's a lot tougher than it looks. You can hang one pair or several together wherever you have space." Ideal for showcasing those prized Manolos or the perfect brogues.

To find out more about Charlotte Tangye click here.

Ella Peters - Textile Designer

Right now you may be sitting on some of Ella's early work. "Calvin Klein underwear bought one of my designs last year" explains the 25 year-old textile designer. "It was a flock of parrots and originally intended to be wallpaper."

Ella, a graduate of the RCA, is fascinated by our feathered friends. Ella says "Even the dullest garden bird has colour and form." Eastern Perspective features the Resplendent Quetzal from southern Mexico. Ella looked East for inspiration: "18th century Japanese illustrations capture the delicacy of feathers. I wanted slightly bolder images for Heal's, so I added dark outlines to flatten and add depth." British influences appear in the form of stylized plants and garden flowers. Dainty yet dramatic, Eastern Perspective adorns chairs, floor cushions and lighting.

To find out more about Ella Peters click here.

Ella Smith - Textile Designer

Ella is a print and graphic designer, gaining a First Class BA (Hons) degree in printed textiles at Nottingham Trent University. Smith then went on to work for Paul Smith's design house and Speedo International.

She is currently studying for her MA in Printed Textiles at the Royal College of Art. Ella also freelances for the surf brand Headworx who have commissioned her to design prints, clothing and accessories for their summer and winter 2009 collections.

Her Links pattern design is influenced by typography and signage, combined with organic shapes to create this striking fabric for modern living. The Links design also won her the Heal's Fabric Project for 1st year RCA students.

To find out more about Ella Smith click here.

Rachel Templeman - Textile Designer

Rachel studied Surface Design for Textiles and Fashion at Bath Spa University, graduating with a First Class BA(Hons). She is currently studying for an MA in Constructed Textiles at the Royal College of Art.

Templeman drew inspiration from the quasi abstract wallpaper designs of Christopher Heal in the 1930's. The innovative technique of foil printing onto tweed in a patchwork manner gained her joint second place in the Heal's Fabric Project.

To find out more about Rachel Templeman click here.