There is something about Charlene Mullens embroidery. It could be the quirky humour of her Drawings range, or the pleasingly simple shapes of her Geometric designs, or the clever way she has updated traditional embroidery and folk motifs. Whatever it is, it speaks to people. Jennifer Goulding, House & Garden.
From her training in both illustration, print and an established career in the fashion industry, she has successfully turmned her talents to designing luxury homewares. Since the launch of the studio in September 2008 at 100% Design where she made the best newcomer list, she has won international acclaim having work shown in London, Paris, Milan and New York as well as being featured in leading interior design publications worldwide.
Charlene creates unique embroidered textiles mixing traditional techniques with her love of the drawn line. The end product - cushions, throws and lampshades are suitable for residential and commercial projects. Drawing on a wide range of inspiration such as Swiss paper cuts, Stig Lindberg's ceramics, Blackwork, scientific structures, tribal costumes, Gee Bend quilts, she works with master craftsmen in India so each piece is beautifully hand embroidered using tapestry wool to ensure shade, colour fastness and durability.
The studio is committed to original design and making quality products. In addition to the collection Charlene provides a commissioning service working with private clients, interior designers and architects to create bespoke projects both in the U.K. and worldwide.
www.charlenemullen.com
I can look at Charlene's work and draw comparisons with my own. Although she works in black and white and i work in colour she also fills in the details of her drawings with organic patterns like circles in the same way that I do.
Her cat cushions are adorable and have such character even though they are constructed of what looks like canvas, or heavy cotton and have a simple, single black stitch to define their features. The off-white fabric that she mainly uses is a way of highlighting the embroidery that is placed on top.
Her chosen colours if any seem to be red and blue. The way she uses minimal amounts of colour (and when used always the same shades) means that she has created a style for herself which is instantly linked back to her brand. I always use pink within my own work, no matter what I do I am drawn to incorporate pink in there somewhere. Perhaps this is part of what makes me and my style. What is the point of making something I don't enjoy!?...There isn't one.
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