Our spring-and-summer menu covers were created by acclaimed surface pattern designer Rhianna Ellington, who turned our heads with her palm house colour palette.
We had a chat with Rhianna in her luminous studio to discuss dream projects and glossy treats...
YOU'RE BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE CLIENT PORTFOLIO – AND COLLABORATION IS CLEARLY A HUGE PART OF WHAT YOU DO. WHICH PARTNERSHIPS STAND OUT MOST?
My most memorable project would have to be my first with one of my favourite clothing brands, THE WHITEPEPPER. I loved everything they created with my prints. It was exciting to see my work blown up to such grand proportions.
This All Bar One collaboration has also been exciting. I've only worked with fashion brands in the past, so it's thrilling to see my ideas in a completely different context.
SO, YOU'VE NOW TICKED FASHION AND RESTAURANTS OFF YOUR TO-DO LIST... SO WHAT OTHER PROJECTS WOULD LIKE TO GET YOUR TEETH INTO?
There are so many! I'd love the opportunity to design a homewares collection. I also think my prints could work really well on sportswear.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR FUTURE PLANS FOR YOUR LABEL?
I wish I could! I'm already working on some really exciting projects, but I'm completely sworn to secrecy.
DO YOU EVER WORRY ABOUT RUNNING OUT OF IDEAS?
Not at all... I find inspiration everywhere! I'm always learning new techniques to alter the surface I design on. At the moment I'm experimenting in ceramics. I've been taking classes for a while and I'm really starting to get the hang of it. I won't lie, it's hard – but completely worth the effort.
YOU'VE ALREADY DONE A LOT OF WORK SINCE GRADUATING FROM LEEDS COLLEGE OF ART. WAS THERE A MOMENT YOU'D DESCRIBE AS YOUR 'BIG BREAK?'
If I'm honest, I don't think I've had it yet. I was recently featured on trend-forecasting site WGSN, for their SS16 print and pattern predictions. It felt like a great achievement but there's still a long way to go.
HOW WAS YOUR FIRST COLLECTION RECEIVED?
So far it has been really positive. I feel that I'm growing all the time as a designer. I can't wait to start working on the next one. I'm excited by the prospect of working on my own clothing line. It will take a lot of planning but it's something I'm hoping to achieve soon.
AS YOU'RE ALL BAR ONE'S DISCOVERY OF 2015, DO YOU THINK YOU CAN SHARE ONE OF YOUR OWN?
Digital printing on leather! I did a collection of printed leather bags with a New York-based brand called Baggu – and it's now my favourite surface to print onto.
AND FINALLY, WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND OFF OUR MENU?
It has to be the Pistachio & Olive Oil Cake. It's quite a unique flavour and a great alternative to sickly-sweet cupcakes. I also love how glossy the olive oil makes the cake look.
Discover more about Rhianna and her work at rhiannaellington.com/.
