A Fusion of French Embroidery and British Design

Portrait of Véronique de Soultrait and Michal Silver, Creative Director of Christopher Farr Cloth, seated with Véronique’s original artwork and a quilt draped over an upholstered chair in Galaxie fabric.

I often get asked why we choose and connect with the artist? And it comes down to a mixture of things. With Veronique de Soultrait’s I wanted to do something different, and I came across one of her embroideries and I fell in love, I wanted to meet this artist, I wanted to do something with her. I was totally intrigued by her work, it's just mesmerising, we went to one of these old Lyonnaise homes, you go up the stairs and her work room is there, and four-woman are hand embroidering her work and everything she does is one off pieces.
MICHAL SILVER

Full display of the Atelier Véronique collection featuring embroidery and printed textiles, styled by Virginia White and photographed by Christopher Horwood.

It comes to no surprise that Michal chose to partner with Véronique de Soultrait, a renowned French embroidery artist based in Lyon, Southern France, whose expertise in embroidery is nothing short of extraordinary. Her work, characterised by intricate detailing and a deep connection to traditional techniques, brings a unique dimension to this new collection. Véronique de Soultrait's approach to embroidery is both meticulous and inspired. She uses rope which gives a rustic element to her work, but the designs are full of elegance due to the organic patterns she creates. Veronique draws from a rich heritage of French craftsmanship to produce her work, yet her designs are contemporary, making them perfectly suited to the sophisticated, modern interiors that we as a brand are known for.

The collaborative effort, titled the Atelier Véronique collection, reimagines a selection of Véronique’s stunning original artwork, translating it into an entirely new medium of fabrics and passementeries. This exciting collection features four captivating, embroidered fabrics —Happy Flowers, Foliage, Galaxie, and Mikado—along with two stunning trims, Totum Border and Trail Fringe. Each piece tells a story of elegance, merging the tactile beauty of hand-embroidery with patterns that range from delicate florals to bold, abstract and geometric. The collaboration embodies Christopher Farr Cloth’s dedication to honouring traditional craftsmanship while embracing innovation and a playful yet refined approach to design.

Soultrait’s prestigious atelier has gained widespread acclaim for crafting luxury custom pieces, commissioned by top decorators and designers. Her impressive body of work spans decorative wall panels, screens, headboards, and the intricate dressing of objects through the art of rope marquetry. Inspired by the elegance of the 1930s and ‘art brut,’ Véronique de Soultrait brings a sophisticated, yet fun, naïveté to her work. Her creations seamlessly blend ethnic qualities with simple materials, elevating overlooked elements into objects of luxury.

Atelier Véronique Mikado in hot pink used as a tablecloth, styled with foliage napkins, colourful glass candles, and a vibrant tablescape by Virginia White. Photography by Christopher Horwood.

Descended from an aristocratic French Bourbonnais family, Véronique felt confined by the rigid expectations of her upbringing. At 18, determined to carve her own path, she enrolled in the Ecole DeBeaux-Arts in Paris, where she trained as an artist. After 15 years as a muralist and restorer, her creative journey took an unexpected turn when she stumbled upon knitted macramé pieces at a local flea market. Intrigued, she purchased the entire collection transforming them into cushions and wall hangings. Her work quickly caught the attention of a New York store, which bought the entire collection, marking the beginning of her exploration with rope as an ornamental material. Today, Véronique is renowned for combining functional fibres like rope with gold thread, kitchen string, and metal threads. Her creations are inspired by natural forms and geometric patterns, drawing heavily on Bauhaus influences and ethnic motifs gathered during her travels. Each piece is crafted in her Lyon atelier, where she experiments with manual techniques, imbuing her work with an organic quality through touches of improvisation. Her work is a delicate balance of contrasts— instilling beauty while being where she is not expected, and bringing playfulness to serious things, never fully settling on one side or the other. From intricately crafted wall decorations to grand, large-scale installations, her one-of-a-kind pieces are known for finding beauty in the intersection of tradition and innovation. Celebrated globally, her extraordinary work has been embraced by interior architects and designers worldwide, from Paris to Dubai.

Cottage-style home with modern eclectic interior styling by Virginia White. Embroidered tablecloth and breakfast tablescape featuring candles, plates, and layered details. Photography by Christopher Horwood.

We enlisted the expertise of Virginia White, a distinguished interior designer & friend whose style is both classic and contemporary. Known for her ability to create spaces that are both luxurious and inviting, Virgina was the perfect choice to style this collection. For the photoshoot, Virginia White carefully curated a selection of furniture and accessories that complement the new embroidered fabrics. Her keen eye for detail and her understanding of texture and colour resulted in a series of breathtaking settings that showcase the fabrics in all their glory. From elegant sofas draped with embroidered cushions to statement chairs upholstered in the new fabrics, each piece of furniture is thoughtfully paired to highlight the intricate patterns and rich textures of the collection. The accessories chosen by Virgina also play a crucial role in the overall aesthetic. Vintage vases, sculptural lighting, and carefully selected artwork add layers of interest to the scenes, creating spaces that are both sophisticated and lived-in. The result is a series of interiors that feel warm, welcoming, and exquisitely crafted—a true reflection of both Virgina White’s design philosophy and the artistry of Véronique de Soultrait.

This collaboration between us, Christopher Farr Cloth and Véronique de Soultrait is more than just a fabric collection; it is a celebration of craftsmanship, artistry, and design. Each fabric is a testament to the skill and creativity of de Soultrait, brought to life in settings that reflect Virginia White’s impeccable taste and eye for detail. Whether used in a grand living room or a cosy bedroom, these fabrics have the power to transform any space, adding a touch of elegance and a story of artisanal excellence. For those with a discerning eye for design, this collection offers something truly special—a blend of tradition and modernity, art and function, that we hope will inspire for years to come. As the collection launches, this collaboration will be remembered not only for its beauty but also for the way it brings together the worlds of fine art and interior design. It’s a celebration of what happens when artistic minds come together to create something truly remarkable.