Skopos Fabrics: Inspired by the past, looking to the future

Skopos fabrics Vienna Loop design
730 565 Pauline Brettell
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Skopos Fabrics: Inspired by the past, looking to the future

Celebrating 50 years of design and manufacture in contract textiles, Skopos is marking this milestone by looking back at some of the standout designs that have come off its drawing board, and putting them back in the design spotlight with the launch of its 50th Anniversary Collection…

Skopos fabrics Vienna Loop design

The early ’70s saw the birth of a new textile business in the Yorkshire town of Batley. With design and innovation at the heart of everything, three local art college students came together to build an energetic business delivering eye-catching printed fabrics for healthcare and hospitality interiors. The students were influenced by graphics seen in Greek pattern and began developing bold repeating textile prints, and hand-printing fabrics on-site in Yorkshire. Derived from the Greek word for ‘purpose’ the business became known as Skopos. Designs were hand-made to order, and early collections used simple, bold shapes, the perfect backdrop to modern 1970’s interior spaces. Mixing colours by hand to deliver an on-trend solution, the Skopos team created dramatic, eye-catching designs that became synonymous with the the brand.

curtain designs by Skopos part of the 50th anniversary collection

Image credit: Skopos

At this early stage the business made the decision to partner with a company with expertise in flame retardancy fabric treatment, and realised the requirement to deliver against certain safety standards for textiles within contract interiors. Demand grew in the UK, covering markets including healthcare, hospitality, cruise and ferry and then started to gain momentum overseas with big orders coming in from the Middle East.

Fast forward to 2022, and this year marks the celebration of 50 years! As a tribute to this milestone, throughout this year, the Skopos team will be looking back at some of their favourite designs over this half century. The 50th Anniversary Collection will see some of the most authentic landmark designs reborn using contemporary design production techniques. The evolved designs will be developed in line with current trends for use within contract interiors today. Each month these ‘new’ designs will be brought to life on the website and samples made available in the usual way.

As with all Skopos prints, customers will be able to order the Anniversary designs across a number of base-cloths, including upholstery velvets and various drape qualities for use in any project. The design team will be able to help with bespoke projects and colourways.

> Since you’re here, why not check out more designs from Skopos?

Skopos is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: Skopos

Pauline Brettell / 21.02.2022

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