We
were thrilled to collaborate with the esteemed textile designer, Molly Mahon,
on a capsule
collection
of summer clothing. Clothes that remind me of my childhood, where the
summer
heralded
the re-aquaintance of the wardrobe that had been put away for the winter
months. Where
the
coveted frocks and skirts once worn by my older sibling would now be mine.
Molly's sunshine
print
in glorious yellow with pink and white stars, feels like it has just been
retrieved from the
summer
suitcase. Inspired by the great outdoors, from the undulating fields of
Somerset to the
cacophony
of colour in Rajisthan - there is a wonderful synergy that crosses borders and
reveals the
charms
of a life in colour.
The
incredible journey our fabric has made is immortalised in the wonderful
photographs
taken by Molly on her trip to supervise its printing.
I asked Molly some questions so we could find out more about her.
Q:
How did your love of block printing begin?
A:
From the very first time I put block to paper at a printing workshop I was
smitten.
Q:At
what point did it become the business we know today?
A:
I think when Helen from Tissue D’Helene agreed to carry my first
fabric collection. That was a
big
moment for me.
 |
| Molly wearing vintage Cabbages & Roses |
Q:
How do you juggle home life and being a mother and wife with running a business?
A:
Literally by juggling! It's not always easy and certainly there is never a dull
moment and not very
much
food in the fridge, but I am lucky in that my work is creative. My children
can't always tell
the difference
between Mummy working and Mummy being Mummy.
 |
| The divine Willie dress with Molly's sunshine cotton skirt |
Q:
If you didn’t do what you do, what would you like to have been?
A: A hillside sheep farmer in Scotland!
Q: In a sentence, can you sum up what Cabbages &
Roses means to you?
A: I remember racing to the new store behind Wandsworth to
buy boxes and duvet covers – that
must have been years ago. I still cherish and love both those
things. For me it was nostalgic,
 |
| Molly Mahon's Oak leaf and Acorn print |
Q:
Do you have a favourite MM print?
A:
Yes, my Oak leaf and acorn print. I adore the culmination of the strong
symbolic British Oak
with
the hand carved block and printing technique of India. It’s the perfect pairing.
 |
| A selection of Molly's block prints |
Q:
What would your desert island luxury be?
A:
My sketch book and watercolour set.
Q:
Your perfect meal?
A:
Mussels foraged from the shores of the Isle of Mull, cooked in white wine and
tonnes of garlic,
served
with thin chips and a crispy green salad.
Followed
by a raw chocolate ganache and a green tea!
Q:
Your perfect dinner party guests (dead or alive) x 8
A:
Vanessa Bell – my main guest of honour.
The
late Duchess of Devonshire wearing an almighty ball gown and with a chicken in
her lap.
Marcus
Mumford – I would expect him to sing of course.
The
late Maharani of Jaipur, Gayatri Devi.
Amanda
Owen, mother of 9 and hill side sheep farmer!
My
wing woman and friend Lisa – who keeps me calm in a crisis.
Matisse
– perhaps he would bring some paper cut outs?
Rollo,
my husband - to help pour the wine! I would need some if this lot were all
around my kitchen
table!
Q:
Who would play you in a film about your life?
A:
Maggie Gyllenhaal, because she played the role of the over worked mother so
beautifully in
Nanny
McPhee and the Big Bang, my all time favourite film. Check out the set design
and
costume….soo
good.
 |
| The Cabbages skirt in Molly's sunshine print |
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