Sabella Mollusk drapes beautifully atop this bed
Photo by Andrew Stewart
Ever inspired by the ocean and marine life, Lake August has introduced a brand new collection of sheer and semi-sheer fabrics. Woven from natural fibers in Los Angeles, each fabric, Bowie, Gael, Inez, Luna, and Sabella, uniquely explores the interplay of light, shadows, sun, and water.
Alexis Hartman, the wonderful designer behind Lake August, recently sat down with us to share some insights into her creative process, how she likes to work, and what she has been cooking at home…a little peek behind the design curtain.
You can shop the new Lake August samples here and as always, we’re happy to put together a package just for you.
Sabella shown in all four colorways
Photo by Andrew Stewart
Temple Studio: What is one thing that you can't live without in the studio?
Alexis Hartman: Enough open space, natural light and quiet!
Detail of Bowie Alkali
Photo by Andrew Stewart
What was the very first thing that you remember designing?
I wanted to be a costume designer when I was younger and I once designed and sewed a ball gown made of hand-painted canvas, covered with a plastic slipcover similar to those made for furniture (!)
Clockwise from top left: Bowie Barracuda, Gael Nightsea, Inez Keana, Luna Plover
Clockwise from top left: Bowie Barracuda, Gael Nightsea, Inez Keana, Luna Plover
Where is the most unexpected or surprising place that you've found inspiration as your collection has grown over the years?
I did not expect to be endlessly fascinated by life underwater. There is something about the mystery of the ocean that always holds my interest.
A quiet moment behind the scenes from her latest photoshoot. Alexis finds inspiration in nature, particularly around water.
Photo by Andrew Stewart
Photo by Andrew Stewart
How does your environment or the natural world around you inform your work?
Curiosity is my guide: I always trust that what I'm curious about is what I should be working on next. A plant or animal or even a texture will catch my eye on a hike, or in a book, or I will dream about it, and from there, painting it or designing something around it is my process of understanding it better.
Inez Fin hanging as a curtain Photo by Andrew Stewart
Behind the scenes from her latest photoshoot, Alexis loves connecting with plant life, hiking, and being outdoors
Photo by Andrew Stewart
Photo by Andrew Stewart
What are you most excited about with your new collection of wovens?
This collection has given me an opportunity to create fabrics that have more of an integral relationship with the elements than ever before. Watching them draped at a window and noticing how their patterns change as they move in the sunlight is an incredibly relaxing experience.
Detail of Sabella Mollusk hanging atop this bed Photo by Andrew Stewart
What is your dream vision of how you imagine this fabric being used?
I'm in love with how we photographed Sabella: two panels of fabric, completely unhemmed because the edges of the fabric are a beautiful detail unto themselves, draped as a bed canopy in a room full of natural light.
We know you love to cook! What's on the menu at home right now?
My kids and I just picked the first nettles of the season and made nettle pesto with almonds, olive oil, lemon zest and parmesan. It was delicious.
Thank you, Alexis!
