With a passion for pattern and print, Prestigious Textiles’ head designer reveals how heritage and innovation shape each collection
Can you give us a potted history of the brand and how it came about?
Prestigious was founded in Bradford, West Yorkshire by Trevor Helliwell in 1988, as a supplier of trend-led interior fabrics selling business-to-business. The company has remained within the family ever since, now being directed by Trevor’s son and daughter, Matthew and Nicola. The Prestigious brand now also incorporates PT Blinds, a manufacturer and distributor of various styles of blinds supplying a large network of stockists.
How long have you been with Prestigious Textiles and what were you doing beforehand?
I’ve worked at Prestigious for 12 years now. I started as a junior designer straight from university, at Leeds College of Art. I won the Bradford Textiles Society prize of a placement at PT while at university, and the opportunity came from there. Over the years there’s been a lot of change and development within the team, and I’ve worked my way up to head of design. What does a typical day at work look like for you? There’s a lot of variety within my role, so each day tends to be quite different. Generally though, my day involves working on developing new collections, from drawing and painting to colour work on the computer. I’m also often out and about at trade shows, meeting suppliers, gathering inspiration, and liaising with design teams around the world.
Tell us about the role of sustainability at Prestigious Textiles
Sustainability plays a key role in our day-to-day operations. As proud members of the Better Cotton initiative, we use a 100 per cent BCI cotton base cloth for all of our printed designs. We’ve also been consistently striving to reduce our power consumption over the past three years, by using solar power, energy-efficient lighting, and more efficient machinery. We have installed solar panels on two of our warehouses, one of which is completely solar powered and has a carbon footprint of virtually zero. And we recycle the majority of our waste, including cardboard and paper, and all waste fabric is donated to charities and schools to be repurposed as craft supplies. All of our fabric is sent out in recycled plastic and cardboard, too.
Where do you find your inspiration for the fabrics and wallpapers?
I like to look at a variety of sources for inspiration. These include fashion, through the runway shows of fashion houses, interesting architecture and landscapes spotted on my travels, and even nature. I also find art exhibitions and other art forms such as ceramics particularly inspiring.
What would you say are 2025’s biggest trends?
Animal-inspired designs have seen a resurgence recently, as well as leafy greens, fruit motifs and butterflies, which are perfect for inviting the outdoors in and creating a sense of calm. Texture remains a prominent trend, with textured plains being a great way to add subtle interest to more neutral schemes. We’ve also seen people step away from cooler shades of greys and neutrals, and instead go for warming ambers, browns, and sunset hues. These are ideal for the cooler months but also pair well with lighter colourways, giving the trend year-round longevity. 2025 will see us using various shades of one colourway to add depth and create a multi-layered look. The trend works especially well when different shades have been used in a variety of qualities, such as a lighter blue print paired with a deep navy-coloured weave.
