Celebrating 150 years of Sanderson

This year, the textile and wallpaper manufacturer Sanderson celebrates it's 150th year in the business.

This makes it one of Britain's longest standing company's in this field (if not the only!)

I believe that the the secret to Sanderson's success is their ability to grow and develop over time, constantly reflecting changing tastes and styles whilst maintaining a strong brand identity and tradition.

Arthur Sanderson established himself in Islington in 1860 as an importer of French wallpapers. He began to have designs commissioned by blockprinters in England and the business saw several relocations around London, becoming wider known all the time.

So now, 150 years later and the company is a still a great success. And my, are they celebrating!

Not only are they releasing 'Sanderson: The Essence of English Decoration' by historian Mary Schoeser, but they are also putting on two exhibitions.

I'm a little late to document the first, 'Wallpapers, Launching at London Design Week, 21-24 March 2010.' But I'm sure it's been a huge success!

The Fashion and Textile Museum is holding 'Very Sanderson: 150 Years of English Decoration' which runs from 19th March-13th June 2010 and will show the huge impact Sanderson has had on the design and decorator trade since it began.

But the most exciting (well...definitely for me) is the current collaboration between Sanderson, contemporary artist Nina Saunders and footwear designer Tracey Neuls.

Throughout the years, Sanderson has earned itself a reputation as an innovative and open minded company, having teamed up with many different artists and designers. So perhaps the most exciting part of the anniversary celebrations is a collaboration between Sanderson, contemporary artist Nina Saunders and distinctively unique footwear designer, Tracey Neuls.

The collaboration piece comes in the form of a large scale sculpture from Saunders as a seemingly melting item of furniture, spilling over with Sanderson's reissued vintage upholstering accompanied by a quirky pair of Neul's shoes sitting alongside. All aspects of the installation use Sanderson fabrics and wallpaper, carefully selected from their enormous archive and beautifully reworked for this special anniversary celebration piece.

You don't have to be an interior design buff to appreciate just how much Sanderson have achieved in the last 150 years and I love that Sanderson has chosen to mix literature, history, fashion, art and design for it's celebrations. It feels good to be British!

xxxxx