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An Interview with Marina Ignarski: Textiles Designer and illustrator.

1life2dream
Jul 10, 2016
5 min read

Marina Ignarski textiles designer, illustrator and teacher has had a lifelong passion for designing influenced by her experiences in Hong Kong, her love of nature and her interest in everything vintage. She combines an authentic, organic style with the most up to date digital imagining to make one off, high quality bespoke pieces designed to be passed down through the generations.

Marina graduated with a degree in Fashion and Textiles from the University of the West of England in 2011 and quickly began her career designing prints for a client (Jocasta Bullock Designs). As she expanded her work she began exhibiting in trade shows in New York and Paris.

Marina also trained as a textiles teacher, passing on her knowledge to others as she developed her own business brand simply called 'Marina Ignarski.' She currently resides in the Isle of Wight where she has established strong business links with the local community and sells her work both online and at Craft Fairs.

She says 'I decided I wanted to create bespoke designs under my own brand: Marina Ignarski. I now create luxury silk scarves based on organic forms, florals, animals and memories and unique illustrations.'

Tell me a bit about your design background?

I have always loved drawing and appreciated art all my life. My love for art started from a young age, from drawing on napkins in restaurants as a young child, to painting in my teenage years. I trained at London College of Fashion for my foundation year and went on to the University of the West of England, graduating in 2011 with a degree in Fashion and Textiles. During my degree I was given the opportunity to undertake an internship at Anna Sui in New York. This exciting opportunity allowed me to work in the Garment district of bustling New York, and see how a large design company works. It was during this time that I decided I wanted to design my own textile range. Since then I have provided textile designs for an agent to show at trade shows such as Indigo Paris and designed a range for KEKA who printed bespoke covers for i Pad and Kindle products. I now design my own unique scarves and illustrations under my brand name, Marina Ignarski.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Currently living on the Isle of Wight, I take inspiration from the surrounding countryside and animals such as rabbits and pheasants. I also regularly get ideas from my travels to London and beyond. My collections are a fusion of organic forms, memories and bright colours.

You spent time in Hong Kong in your childhood has this had an impact on your work?

It definitely has an impact on my work. I often find old photographs and create collages or recycle the ideas in my work so there is a real sense of nostalgia. I like the idea of making my artwork personal so that it tells a story. Which artists and textiles designers inspire you and why? I am very inspired by William Morris and admire his classic wallpaper designs. Lu Lu Dk also creates beautiful hand painted prints full of vibrant colour and creative expression. All her designs stem from childhood memories, which include collages of pictures and painted flowers. I am also a huge fan of Hermes scarves as they are heirloom pieces and don’t date.

What is the best part about working with textiles?

Doing what you love doing and being your own boss! I am also a teacher and I am lucky that I am still able to practise my skill as a textile designer in my free time. The best thing is printing my products and seeing them come to life on fabric!

You do a large range of textiles with digital printing can you explain how this works?

I create hand drawn imagery, which I then scan and edit on Photoshop. This allows me to turn my pattern into repeat and manipulate it. It is then sent to a fabric printer at Silk Bureau Limited and printed onto coated fabric. Once this process is done it is steamed to set the dyes and ready to be hemmed. The positive thing about digital printing is that it shows a wide spectrum of colours, and allows for different sized garments.

Why do you choose to work with silk and cotton fabrics?

I like working with silk and cotton as they are natural fabrics and much more environmentally friendly than synthetic fabrics. I love the way silk drapes on the body and it is a brilliant medium for showing off my prints as the printing ink penetrates deep into the fabric. Recently I have worked with silk and cotton blends which is an ideal fabric for scarves as it is both affordable and luxury.

Your recent focus has been textiles and illustrations, but have been branching out to include wedding stationery. Tell us more…..

I recently had a client get in touch about using my designs on some Wedding Stationery and I decided it would be a great opportunity to extend my design skills. Once this kicked off I have had a couple of clients get in touch asking for personal stationery for their big day. It is great to be a part of that journey and I welcome anyone who has an idea big or small.

You have recently provided illustrations for an E-book called ‘The Day I Met Linda McCartney: The Extraordinary Memoirs of a Star Girl Reporter.’ Can you expand a little on this?

I have recently teamed up with a former Times Journalist, Alison Jane Reid to create whimsical illustrations for her Linda McCartney memoir, which is available on Amazon. She wanted to convey her memory from the late 80s meeting the Linda McCartney family and I feel we achieved that in a positive light. It is a lovely sentiment to remember Linda McCartney for the photographer she was and I was very privileged to have been asked to illustrate this intimate memory.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are to do more illustration work, hopefully for children’s books and short stories as I find this type of work very rewarding. I also would like to allow my brand Marina Ignarski to grow as I am just starting out. I will be attending fairs such as Wolverton Garden Fair on the Isle of Wight and subsequent exhibitions showing my collections.

What advice would you give to budding designers?

Do not give up and be willing to put up with setbacks. They are a part of life and you realise what works by trial and error. Work hard but also don’t over do it. Perseverance is key and the ability to live and breathe your passions.