The British fragrance house is to launch a limited-edition collection for summer 2016 in collaboration with artist and wallpaper designer Marthe Armitage, who has been living and working in London, England, for over six decades. The “Summer Afternoon” collection features scented items decorated with a hand-drawn print designed specially by the artist.
While many brands line up to collaborate with fashion’s latest icons and designers, Jo Malone stands out for its history of teaming with renowned British artisans, showcasing their skills and creativity.
For summer 2016, Jo Malone invited Marthe Armitage to design a print to package a limited-edition collection of scented accessories. The artist and designer is best known for her wallpapers, which she makes entirely by hand, from drawing the patterns to mixing the colors and cutting the lino print blocks. The artist has given free rein to her imagination for the Jo Malone collection, drawing inspiration from the brand’s fragrances as well as a more precise theme — “Summer Afternoon.” The result is a hand-drawn lino-cut print that adorns the boxes and bottles of the limited-edition range.
An English summer’s day
The “Summer Afternoon” theme was inspired by a quote from one of Marthe Armitage’s favorite authors, Henry James, who said these were “the two most beautiful words in the English language.”
Imagining the sound of children laughing, sweet-smelling flowers, a game of croquet and a lush green garden, the designer created a pattern featuring a beekeeper, roses, tomato plants, croquet players, ducks, flora and fauna of various kinds and sunlight-dappled vegetation. The print is finished in several color combinations.
“I wanted to capture the perfect English summer afternoon. It needed to feel alive and I wanted to weave in ingredients from the Jo Malone London scents. This project has seen me exploring a world I’ve not experienced before and it’s been lovely,” said Marthe Armitage.
The collection includes Red Roses Scented Drawer Liners, the Green Tomato Leaf Home Candle, Nectarine Blossom & Honey Bath Oil and a four-piece Soap Collection, with prices ranging from $40 to $105.
The Marthe Armitage “Summer Afternoon” collection for Jo Malone London is due out from May.
