Eley Kishimoto exhibition at Aram – and rugs

I've long loved the quirky graphic prints created by the Brit-Japanese fashion design duo, Eley Kishimoto. 

I like designs that stray from the classic ideas of what is classically stylish, or flattering – and while the the bold, brave distinctive Kishimoto look isn't always something I'm bold or brave enough to pull off, I like looking at it (and seeing bolder, braver types wearing it well).

So I was pleased to hear about an exhibition of the pair's work during – and beyond – London Design Festival; Living with Patterns takes place at the Aram Gallery, alongside the launch of a new range of Eley Kishimoto-designed rugs, exclusive to Aram Store, using archive prints. I can't afford the rugs (they start at £850). So I'm just enjoying them as part of the exhibition...

"Chains"

"Chains" in cream and brick red 

"Damask" in blue and cream

"Flash" in cream and black 

"Jigsaw"

"Ropey" in blue, cream and black 

"Ropey" in mustard, cream and black

The exhibition – which also includes other Aram-favourite designers and artists – celebrates 40 years of Aram, as well as the working relationship between Zeev Aram and Wakamo Kishimoto, which began when he put on her graduation show in the early 90s. Eley Kishimoto designs will also be on display on seven Moorcroft vases in the exhibition, as well as some lace drapes they have designed for MYB textiles.

The rugs are exclusive to Aram, and in store this month priced £850 each (Chains, Flash, Jigsaw and Ropey, which are hand tufted and measure 170 x 240 cm) or £950 (Damask, which comes in hand made Dhurry and measures 200 x 300 cm).

Find out more about the Aram-Kishimoto collaboration, and the names behind the label – husband-and-wife design team Wakako Kishimoto and Mark Eley – at the Aram website. 

Exhibition details 

The gallery is open Monday-Saturday 10am–6pm (Thursday until 7pm). Find it at Aram Store, 110 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5SG

Affordable designer gifts

I do a lot of online window shopping at some of my favourite stores - Aram, SCP and Donna Wilson... but the prices (especially for compulsive shoppers like me, who can't leave with just one thing) can make your eyes hurt a bit.

So hurrah for Christmas - when accessories suddenly come to the fore. Check out some of these affordable goodies from swish shops.

Regular readers may have clocked my mild owl obsession... so I couldn't resist including this tea towel from the delightful Donna Wilson. Just £11 - and one of a whole wedge of lovelies for under £20 on her webstore.

I love a good map. And have seen a few of them by the stylish Future Mapping Company about, usually framed and in shop windows and more money than I can justify spending on something I probably don't need. SCP is selling unframed versions of this Dayglow World Map for just £20. Yes, yes, it's the framing that costs... enter my next new discovery: Eframe. This online frame ordering store may not provide bespoke designer action (and my brother and sister-in-law, who run a very swanky framing store in Sydney would be horrified) but the selection is pretty damn good (I recently bought a couple of simple, solid black Nielsons), very affordable - and the customer service is spectacular.

I'm also totally smitten with this early 1950s Bitossi ceramic sausage dog, £29.99. He measures 24cm high, and is also from SCP. 

Finally - these beautiful Bauhaus miniatures, designed by Jonathan Hopp, come from Aram Store*. They're pretty diddy - just 5-10cm high, but perfectly formed and, at just £29.50 each, the perfect gift for the architecture nerd in your life. 

*nb, Aram Store's online shop has yet to open for business, until then it's all about some old-fashioned face-to-face service, at the shop, which has been just behind the Strand in London since the 1970s - but it's worth the outing as it is a truly a place of wonder and also has a gallery on the top floor.