Q&A with Annabel Lewis from V V Rouleaux
Source: http://www.campaignforwool.org/
In 1990 Annabel Lewis closed her flower shop in Parsons Green and opened a ribbon shop - V V Rouleaux. Lovers of colours and texture beat a path to south west London discovering everything from Japanese organdies to French wire-edged taffetas. Ribbons became a fashion and decorating necessity rather than a Christmas and hair accessory. Their latest installation at their shop prompted Campaign for Wool to reach out to Annabel and find out more about her business and use of wool.
1. Please tell us a little about yourselves and how your business/designs/products utilise wool? I am an artist designer working with all mediums and my recent found objects formed part of the C-Art Cumbria exhibition in September. My Rams Head Skull has been chosen by the Saatchi Gallery and is exhibited on their second floor screens. Part of the Exhibition was in a National Trust Barn, which was completely covered with natural fleece. This natural fleece, which is Welsh mountain and charollaise, is now completely covering my shop in Marylebone. As you can imagine, this causes a great conversation piece, as walkers by are interested in the smell and it looks incredible; a great Christmas show stopper.
2. What makes you choose wool over other fibres? What is your favourite thing about wool?
I find that I didn’t choose wool it chose me there is an abundance of wool in its natural state on all the farms in Cumbria and I wanted to celebrate this fantastic material by making a statement. We had 350 fleeces; some wrapped into ball shapes which were positioned for C-Art, some now hanging outside the shop like snowballs. I wanted to use this product in a way no one else had seen it before.
3. By what means do you source your wool?
For this particular Installation, my neighbour next door who is a farmer and assistance from the wool marketing board.
4. What does the Campaign for Wool mean to you?
Campaign for Wool is about education. Educating consumers that wool is dry, cosy, cool in hot weather, warming in cold weather and insulated.
5. The retail landscape is forever changing with a growing trend for more sustainable fibres, what does 2014/15 hold for you as a brand?
V V Rouleaux as a brand are leaders in inspiration, invention, creators of style and what better way for a textile fashion interior supplier to promote wool like we have done with our shop installation. It’s a great product and to do a Christmas Display like this, we hope to get people talking about wool. - See more at: http://www.campaignforwool.org/news-item/qa-with-annabel-lewis-from-v-v-rouleaux/#sthash.TGJx8NZR.dpuf