In the late 80s,Nigel Atkinson found himself in the middle of a fashion textile revolution. Fresh out of college,he had pioneered what he calls,an individual language for printed textiles in which he used heat reactive inks often on the back of the fabric to create 3D and technically ambiguous surfaces. This had not been done before to my knowledge. Fabrics that look woven or embroidered,but on close inspection are actually printed, he says. His earliest clients included cult names such as Azzedine Alaia,Romeo Gilgli,Nino Cerutti and Issey Miyake. Now at 49,and based in London and southern France,Atkinson has also come to be known for his long-standing relationship with craftsmen from England,Japan and most prominently India. His 15-year association with Indian craftsmen particularly those from West Bengal,Assam,Punjab,Bihar and Kutch has resulted in his latest collection called Light on India-Light from Japan,which he showcased at the recently concluded London Design Festival and plans to bring to India. HIS BACKGROUND Atkinson is essentially an artist trained in painting,drawing and art history. My interest was in art,but I didnt have the precocity as a teenager to concentrate solely on art. I felt that textiles would be more vocational, says the graduate of Winchester School of Art. Atkinsons influences are varied music,poetry,history,art,philosophy and nature. HIS FABRIC Exploring the effect of light on an embroidered surface,Atkinson makes use of reflective mirrors and foils,sequins and panels of framed fabric. For me,light is the inspiration,particularly natural light,as it continuously changes and transforms everything we see, he says. Along with India influences seen through his use of Assam silk,hilika natural dyes and silk matka for some of the works Atkinson uses the simplicity and refinement of Japanese design. HIS JOURNEY IN INDIA It all started with a chance viewing of Satyajit Rays Pather Panchali in 1991,which set him off on a classic trail of Agra,Jodhpur,Jaipur,Pushkar,Shekawati,Kerala and Varanasi. I was good at finding special,sometimes heirloom,pieces which were easily available but still hidden from most tourists, he says. Particularly enchanted by the turbans and mirror work from Rajasthan (Their dress gives them a sense of belonging,identity and community),his journey began from 1997 onwards. HIS PROCESS How does one approach ones own creations,as a Westerner? How does one do justice to the skill of the craftsmen,whose techniques have passed down through many generations and are so often sadly squandered on throw-away consumer junk? Atkinson often wonders as he blurs boundaries in design and sourcing base clothes. My approach is to carefully observe regional styles and skills,and to then interpret them in a distilled form,with the highest quality of fabric, he explains. About his style inevitably seeping into the traditional works,he says,Discerning Indian clients have responded to something which is familiar but looks quite new. NEXT IN INDIA,FROM INDIA Working on getting his collection to India,Atkinson says,India now has a growing refinement in museums and galleries which had not been a part of its past. In addition,the fabric panels from Light on India: Light from Japan,which Atkinson has designed to look like paintings,are a part of an ongoing project. Currently,working on projects in London and Doha,Atkinson will also show in Hamptons,New York and Mustique.
