Conversations in colour: Inside the NRBY X SUSAN ENTWISTLE collaboration
Introducing our SS26 collaboration with artist Susan Entwistle.
For SS26, we're delighted to collaborate with artist Susan Entwistle - a partnership rooted in a shared appreciation for nature, craftsmanship and thoughtful design...
"I create my paintings in a contemporary pointillist style. This basically means building up layers of painted dots using lots of rich colours," Susan explains. "What this does is create a very textured, almost tapestry-like impression of your subject matter." That sense of depth and intricacy runs through her work, each pieces capturing not just a scene, but a feeling - something quietly immersive and full of life.
Susan's inspiration has always come from the natural world. "I've always been drawn to the natural environment - whether it's woodlands, trees or the plants and flowers within those landscapes," she says. "I really love to celebrate the seasons and capture the joy of each one." This connection is deeply personal. I've always enjoyed that special atmosphere you find in really beautiful gardens. I grew up around amazing natural spaces, as both my grandparents and my parents created their gardens from a blank canvas," she reflects. " I think that's really informed my lifelong love of nature and creativity."
We first met Susan at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, where her work immediately resonated. "When Jo saw my paintings, she could visualise just how well these would translate into wearable fabrics - and that marked the beginning of our collaboration," Susan recalls. Working closely with Susan and our design team, a selection of her garden floral and delicate seed head paintings were chosen to form the foundation of the collection. "We looked through my paintings together and selected the ones we all agreed would work well in fabric." she says. "It's been a really enjoyable process."
With a background in textile design, the collaboration feels like a natural evolution of her work. "I always imagined I would see my paintings translated into fabrics - so this really was the perfect collaboration." Her artwork has been thoughtfully reimagined across silk and cotton, with added layers of craftsmanship bringing the pieces to life. "The paintings have been transformed into really beautiful printed silks and cottons. There has been hand embroidery, intricate beadwork, to really emulate the delicate seed heads - it's just translated really well." Iain, our Design Director adds. “In a world dominated by the discussions around AI, this is the antithesis. I love the way you can see the brushstrokes on each of our pieces”
At the heart of Susan's work is a sense of joy - something often reflected back to her by those who collect her pieces. "My customers quite often give me the ultimate compliment by saying they feel a real sense of happiness and joy from my paintings," she says.
For this collection, that same feeling sits at the centre. "What I'm hoping is that this will translate into the collection, and that people will get that same feeling of joy from wearing these pieces."
As the collection comes to life, it's this emotional connection from artist to garment to wearer - that feels most meaningful. "I'm really looking forward to seeing the collection being worn," Susan says, "and I hope people feel that same sense of joy that I experience throughout the creative process."
