Lucienne Day, (Born 5th January 1917. Died 30th January 2010), best known as a textile designer, was a virtuoso pattern designer and colourist in a wide range of media including wallpapers, carpets, ceramics and hand-stitched fine art ‘silk mosaics’. Like her husband, she made her career breakthrough at the Festival of Britain when she launched her uncompromisingly modern textile ‘Calyx’.
In the course of her six-decade career she created an extraordinarily varied but distinctive body of work. Lucienne Day is remembered not only as a great designer, but also as a pioneering professional woman whose achievements were on a par with those of her husband, furniture designer Robin Day. The couple shared a belief that good design should be affordable and accessible.
In the mid-1970s, Day changed direction, developing a new medium she called ‘Silk Mosaics’. These one-off wall-hangings, hand stitched by her assistants in tiny squares of richly coloured silk, were exhibited and sold around the world. Her design style is characterised by a balance of delicacy and strength, and her personal determination and organizational ability underpinned her design career.
Though Robin and Lucienne Day mostly worked separately, they were engaged as joint Design Consultants by John Lewis. During their 25 years’ relationship with the company they initiated a transformation of every aspect of the house style. Lucienne’s largest silk mosaic ‘Aspects of the Sun’ was designed for the John Lewis coffee shop.
Robin and Lucienne Day were both awarded the OBE and were the first married couple both to be appointed Royal Designer for Industry.
In the course of her six-decade career she created an extraordinarily varied but distinctive body of work. Lucienne Day is remembered not only as a great designer, but also as a pioneering professional woman whose achievements were on a par with those of her husband, furniture designer Robin Day. The couple shared a belief that good design should be affordable and accessible.
In the mid-1970s, Day changed direction, developing a new medium she called ‘Silk Mosaics’. These one-off wall-hangings, hand stitched by her assistants in tiny squares of richly coloured silk, were exhibited and sold around the world. Her design style is characterised by a balance of delicacy and strength, and her personal determination and organizational ability underpinned her design career.
Though Robin and Lucienne Day mostly worked separately, they were engaged as joint Design Consultants by John Lewis. During their 25 years’ relationship with the company they initiated a transformation of every aspect of the house style. Lucienne’s largest silk mosaic ‘Aspects of the Sun’ was designed for the John Lewis coffee shop.
Robin and Lucienne Day were both awarded the OBE and were the first married couple both to be appointed Royal Designer for Industry.
Celebrate the centenary of Lucienne Day in 2017
In the course of the year-long centenary programme, leading cultural organisations, galleries and creative institutions including The Whitworth Art Gallery, the RCA, Arts University Bournemouth, Glasgow School of Art, Pallant House Gallery, the Textile Society and The Museum of Carpet will launch exhibitions, events and awards to highlight many different aspects of Lucienne Day’s work.
The varied programme will introduce the public to fascinating and little-known material, including archive textiles, ceramics, photographs and portraits of Lucienne Day that have never before been exhibited or published.
The varied programme will introduce the public to fascinating and little-known material, including archive textiles, ceramics, photographs and portraits of Lucienne Day that have never before been exhibited or published.
During the year, new product ranges will be launched by John Lewis, as well as by specialist design retailers and publishers in collaboration with the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation.
![10 Architecture Studios Led by Women [II]](/sites/default/files/styles/mopis_home_news_category_slider_desktop/public/metalocus_women-arch-2016_eng-8_0.webp?h=5c593260&itok=Wb9aNuM7 "10 Architecture Studios Led by Women [II]")
