Mott50 x Maisonette

First, tell us a little about yourself and your work. How did your experience as an abstract artist inform your work as a print designer?

Hey! I’m Liz, aka Elizabeth Rachael and I'm a print designer from Birmingham UK.

I’ve been designing prints in the fashion industry since I graduated from the Manchester School of Art in 2012 with a degree in Fashion For Textiles. Over the years, my style has changed quite dramatically—from designing prints with my own digital photography, to painting and then back to digital again. In fact, one of my first roles as a print designer was working as an abstract and textural artist, which I think had a huge impact on the way I work today.

These days I like to combine technology with old school painting techniques and I’m still really experimental within my design process. One thing that has always remained the same, though, is my sense of humour throughout my work. I have a really fun job, and I'm not one to take life too seriously. I’d like to think that comes through in all my pieces.

And how did your collaboration with Mott50 x Maisonette come to be?

Mott50 had actually reached out to me through instagram after seeing a few of my prints that I’d posted. At the time, they kind of hinted that they had me in mind for an upcoming special project, so when they got back in touch a few months later and told me about the Mott50 x Maisonette collab, I basically jumped at the chance.

Describe your design aesthetic in three words:

Fun, colourful… and pink!

What are you most inspired by?

Nature! I love drawing nature. It's so beautiful with all its imperfections, which is one of the reasons I think it suits my experimental style so much. For the most part, my work is pretty energetic and rough around the edges. Just like mother nature herself.

And tell us about the Jungle Roar print and what you were hoping to achieve with it?

The Jungle Roar print really took me back to my abstract roots which I loved as there was a huge focus on shape and colour. The main thing I wanted to achieve was a striking, bold and beautiful print that stood out amongst the crowd. It was also really important for the print to be gender-neutral so it could sit across men’s, women’s and children's wear, so that was an exciting challenge for me too, as I had to tone down the pink (although I did manage to sneak a bit in).

Finally, you're expecting your first child! Congratulations! What are you most looking forward to?!

Ahhhh, thank you! Yes, I’m due the end of May and expecting a little boy. I still can't quite believe it to be honest. It’s one of the things I've always wanted most in life, so I can't believe it's actually happening. I feel so lucky! This might seem odd but I’m really looking forward to the chaos of it all. Me and my partner Danny both have the same fun outlook on life and our house is full of laughter as we never stop joking around with each other. I guess we’re both huge children and I can't wait to bring our little baby into a house full of chaotic love and laughter!