Torch, Jermaine Gallacher with Christine Van Der Hurd
“Christine and I share a real connection and understanding in our approach to design, which made working together a total creative pleasure.”
The collaboration, described by Gallacher as “Cosmic, fiery and quite otherworldly” challenged both designers to combine their unique artistic languages into a cohesive whole. “Christine and I share a real connection and understanding in our approach to design, which made working together a total creative pleasure. When Christine showed me the original designs for the Elements And Beyond collection I was blown away. It resonated so much with my own work.
I could see all at once it was a collaboration that made total sense,” says Gallacher. TORCH’s rugs showcase a variety of constructions, including flatweaves and cut piles, with pieces crafted by several artisans selected for their unique skills and mastery of materials. Using more than one maker to create a collection is a first for the Vanderhurd studio resulting
in a collection that is both diverse and cohesive.
Hand Embroidered kantha stitch bedspread, Hand Block Printed on Linen, Walling in Tilt I Indigo, Chair in Illusions Sierra Indigo, Rug in Illusions Magnified Terra Bay
2024 Renowned textile designer Christine Van Der Hurd and design polymath Jermaine Gallacher announce their debut collection TORCH.
Launching AW24, Torch is an evocative edit of rugs, runners and fabrics. A dynamic artistic
partnership that merges the archival brilliance of Vanderhurd’s mid-90s “Elements and Beyond” collection – a line steeped in the symbolist poetry of Baudelaire and the arcane beauty of early astrological engravings – with Gallacher’s contemporary, whimsical design sensibilities.
“While exploring my archives with Jermaine, we were both struck by the parallels between the visual inspiration he draws from organic amorphic shapes, and the thematic elements present in my works from the 90s. It was as if our design languages, though developed decades apart, were speaking to one another.,” Van Der Hurd.
Rooted in the rich tapestry of Van Der Hurd’s past work the collection of nine hand-knotted rugs, three cushions, and three intricately embroidered designs upholstered onto Gallacher’s signature Diablo Stool, masterfully reimagines Van Der Hurd’s original motifs of flaming suns, crescent moons and stars into streamlined, contemporary patterns. All brought to life with a bold new colour palette of inky blacks, fiery oranges, and rich earthy tones.
“Jermaine brought a fresh perspective and had a vision for editing the original designs. Together we spent over 18 months refining the collection,” Van Der Hurd notes.
Original Elements & Beyond Collection
The ‘Elements & Beyond’ collection, was Christine’s most extravagantly coloured and expressively drawn designs to date and was made up of eight hand-tufted wool rugs which combined the mythical vocabulary of the zodiac from ancient astrological charts, illustrations from the work of Athanasius Kircher and the poetry of Charles Baudelaire, who had made an impression on Christine as a teenager whilst at the French lycée in Kensington.
Snippets of these poems were woven into the rugs, sitting alongside vivid orange flames, coral diamonds and acid-green fish. A carpet was designed for each element; Water, Air, Fire and Earth, as well as one combining all the elements. Christine collaborated with artist Richard Giglio to do the calligraphy for the text. The designs were hand-painted by Christine and the calligraphy was cut and pasted on top to create a collage. These were then sent to the manufacturers where Christine worked collaboratively with the craftsman to produce the hand-tufted rugs. The collection was covered extensively in the press at the time.
About Jermaine Gallacher
Jermaine Gallacher is an interior designer, product designer and design dealer known for his singular style and innovative approach. He is Editor-in-Chief of TON, contributing interiors editor at British Vogue, and interiors columnist at American Vogue.
Gallacher works internationally on residential and commercial projects, for renowned clients seeking innovation and/or steeped in tradition. Recent work includes the design of a Georgian townhouse for a London artist, which was featured in international editions of Architectural Digest; Crispin, the restaurant at gallery Studio Voltaire; and Bistro Freddie, a restaurant in east London.
Alongside his interiors projects, Gallacher designs his own objects and textiles — including ZIGZAG metalwork pieces, cushions, and stools — sources pieces, and collaborates with makers supporting the development of their practice and representing their work. Gallacher regularly collaborates with brands and manufacturers, including Cushendale Woollen Mills, Ireland, for whom he designed a collection of bed blankets in 2023, and he is currently working on a collection of hand-knotted rugs with a bespoke textiles studio in London.
Vanderhurd introduces Hatch, a brand new embroidered design available in six striking colour combinations accompanied by a series of cushions. A small-scale intricate design inspired by the ancient art of Chinese basket work, which founder Christine Van Der Hurd discovered on a recent visit to China.
The Designs
The designs are united by a sophisticated illusion-like geometry. Tilt One and the bolder Tilt Two fabrics are inspired by the work of Op artist Vasarely. Illusions achieve a sense of uniformity as a group, yet each is an independent design with its own interpretation of positive and negative space achieved by using the same blocks in different pattern combinations.
By presenting bold colour contrasts in combination with nuanced shades and tones, Opticality’s dimensional properties are deceptive in their apparent uniformity yet layered with intriguing variations in shape and form.
About Christine Van Der Hurd
Christine Van Der Hurd is one of the great creative forces of our time. Christine was this year (2024) awarded House & Garden’s Lifetime Achievement Award for a career that spans some 50 years.
Fresh out of Winchester School of Art she began selling her designs to Osborne & Little, Liberty of London, Etro and Yves Saint Laurent. Her early success followed her to New York where prestigious commissions followed from some of the world’s leading designers and architects.
Designs for rugs, fabric and most recently wallpapers combine her deep understanding of weaving with anintuitive eye for colour, texture and pattern.
Working with artisans the studio develops new techniques, qualities and innovations that allow these ancient processes to be preserved and evolve into contemporary design.
Christine Van Der Hurd has been inspired by many different cultures, schools of thought and countries, from the Modernist movement to trips to Spain and Morocco. Her designs are part of the collections of several museums, including The Victoria & Albert Museum.
Vanderhurd thrives on both sides of the Atlantic, but the studio is firmly ensconced on Portobello Road London, just up the road from where her
