John Robshaw for Duralee Sneak Peek

Textile designer, John Robshaw.

Textile designer John Robshaw has partnered with Duralee in creating a line of fabrics available in showrooms this spring.  John currently has a fabulous fabric collection sold through John Rosselli in New York City and a bedding line availble at Calypso Home.  John is known for his block printed linens and cottons and now will add wovens in the new line.   He has successfully collaborated with Duralee to offer his unique artistic textiles to a wider audience while maintaining the integrity of his aesthetic. 

Print by John Robshaw for Duralee.

John discovered his captivation with textiles when he travelled to India after earning a fine arts degree from Pratt.  He was looking for natural indigo dye to use in painting and fell in love with the local artisans’ fabric-making traditions.  He says he was fascinated by the process as well as the use of textiles in daily life, calling them “intimate companions”.  He has created “an updated spin on the exotic handmade object, a vibrant mix of sophistication and romantic allure.”  He combines techniques and patterns from various cultures to create something that is “new and fresh, and yet retains that sense of tradition, of the handmade”.

Print by John Robshaw for Duralee.

John travels to India for several months each year to work alongside local artisans, always mindful of preserving traditional techniques.  He says he has developed relationships with these “teachers” and receives inspiration from them which is infused in the products they develop.  John serves as a consultant to Aid for Artisans, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create economic opportunities for low-income craftspeople to build profitable businesses.   In addition to being a talented artist, successful businessman and mentor to artisans around the world John has also been called the ideal bachelor!

John's first collection of woven fabrics will launch next month through Duralee.

Print by John Robshaw for Duralee