Proud Mary Textiles
I always like to hear from my friends over at Freunde von Freunden in Berlin so today when Sarah asked me if I’d like to share this story with decor8 readers I instantly checked it out and said Yes, yes, yes! It’s a portrait of textile designer Harper Poe in South Carolina who has an, “intrepid spirit and affinity for indigenous materials”, and who owns textile label Proud Mary.
After Harper’s divorce after being married for 8 years, she was forced to make some changes and started to reach out for inspiration traveling as far as Central and South America along with West Africa. I love her strong will and determination to start anew! Sourcing textiles from native artisans, she frequently ventures solo to remote locations in order to connect with her suppliers, most of whom have never sold their products outside of their own village.
Her complete profile with lots of lovely photos can be found here. Thank you Sarah from FvF for reaching out to me!
(photos: fvonf)
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Flickr
LinkedIn
June 20th, 2012 at 1:08pm
It’s fantastic to see people who turn something traumatic into such a positive move forward-very inspiring. I’m looking forward to checking her site. I also love FVF’s ethos of photographing people as they really are in their everyday environment-so styling, primping or preening for the camera-something I need to try harder at! Thank you for sharing! :-)
caroline @trend-daily´s last [type] ..Styling Details
June 20th, 2012 at 1:20pm
Very pretty textiles. i too like her determination!
June 20th, 2012 at 1:36pm
Loving those multicolored pom poms.
Brooke H´s last [type] ..2012 Olympic Uniform Designs
June 20th, 2012 at 2:34pm
Love the curtain fabric that looks like knitting! And the name “Harper Poe” is just splendid!
Tracy A.´s last [type] .."One dip in the ocean – and seawater, from still wet hands and knees, seeps into the pages." ~ Editorial, The New York Times
June 20th, 2012 at 5:44pm
Living my dream, well done Harper! and thank you for this inspirational post.
June 20th, 2012 at 7:35pm
I love intrepid entrepreneurs!! Inspiring work from an inspiring life! We can do anything we set our hearts and minds to!!
Bonnie McCarthy´s last [type] ..Cherry Picking!
June 20th, 2012 at 8:43pm
Love discovering so inspiring people
June 20th, 2012 at 8:44pm
Love these pics, very inspirational! :-)
tinajo´s last [type] ..Raspberries has arrived!
June 20th, 2012 at 10:01pm
Thanks for introducing us to Harper – I too love her name!!! I’m kind of a textile junkie too – so always nice to learn about someone new. thanks, Holly!
kristin johnsen´s last [type] ..Struggling with something new
June 20th, 2012 at 11:38pm
This is absolutely stunning!
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang´s last [type] ..Rivers in the Desert…
June 21st, 2012 at 12:26am
Congrats to her! Love those curtains!
June 21st, 2012 at 2:03am
Really nice photos! I love the third pic.
Cyn | decyng´s last [type] ..Parole, parole, parole…
June 22nd, 2012 at 6:09am
Wow, love her style! Reminds me of my travels and the things I brought back with me that are scattered around my apartment. Love her story too. Good call on this post! :)
Amberly @ The Good Life´s last [type] ..awesome art on the CHEAP
June 22nd, 2012 at 1:49pm
I’ve come across Proud Mary textiles before and always thought they were beautiful, but didn’t know the story behind them. Now I like them even more, how inspiring!
Thanks for sharing!
Becky
x
June 22nd, 2012 at 5:11pm
these textiles are stunning! will definitely be using some proud mary items with our next client!
June 22nd, 2012 at 6:53pm
Sweet post! All the best to Harper and great luck and many more colourful finds, that the future will bring – “No hay mal que por bien no venga” (there is always something good coming from bad things)
Regina´s last [type] ..Stag Bowl "Ludwig"
June 22nd, 2012 at 8:14pm
What an inspiring woman, and how brave to travel to such remote locations in pursuit of her passion for textiles! I love every one of these, and am so glad to know she’s helping expand the reach of some truly talented artisans.
June 25th, 2012 at 12:21am
Inspiring that she has such a passion both for textiles – which are beautiful – and in helping others fairtrade their creations.
Thanks for sharing Holly
Kat x
Kat´s last [type] ..Enchanted wood – only kindness matters
June 25th, 2012 at 2:50am
yes yes! those pom poms are fabulous :D and what a fantastic journey x
julie @ tractorgirl´s last [type] ..The crafted object : Kari Lonning – basketry
June 25th, 2012 at 4:54am
Very cool business, I love the colours and decoration ideas!
June 26th, 2012 at 6:32am
Inspiring story and lovely textiles!
Jessica @shimmerkai´s last [type] ..Shop Love | Seven9
June 26th, 2012 at 4:15pm
Wow these photos are very inspiring! It’s funny what amazing things can come out a crappy time.
June 27th, 2012 at 5:21pm
Instant fan, here. Unique textiles are my thing, and I’m so glad to be introduced to Proud Mary! I agree – it is an inspiration, personally and creatively, to think about “beginning again” in such a determined and brave way. Best of luck, Harper!
June 29th, 2012 at 8:48pm
What a great story, She picked herself up and did something inspirational. Love the curtains.
July 1st, 2012 at 10:11am
beautiul pictures, and textils:)
Aga:)
July 3rd, 2012 at 6:43pm
Too Fun! And what a great business name!
July 3rd, 2012 at 7:34pm
How inspiring. It’s amazing how her personal boldness emerges in her patterns. I’ve found that wall art is another great way to introduce color into a room, especially with artists like D Librach who seems to have a similar palette.
July 6th, 2012 at 1:54pm
Love the patterns!
July 6th, 2012 at 2:59pm
thanks for making me aware of Harper Poe as I’d not come across her before
July 9th, 2012 at 6:16pm
Really Nice Collection
Inderjit Singh´s last [type] ..Top Five Blogging Platforms