To capture the spirit of Clerkenwell, the Milliken designers along with Gareth Gardner, a local photographer, absorbed themselves in the area. They walked the streets making images and recording their thoughts to enable them to dig deep and understand the essence of Clerkenwell and how to translate this into pattern and colour. The resulting designs ‘Three Corners’, ‘Triangular Path’, ‘EC1’, ‘Time Piece’ and ‘Circle Top View’ are made up of bold geometric shapes layered on to complex textural backgrounds. Like Clerkenwell itself they all have a retro feel but with a contemporary edginess that brings the collection bang up to date. The strong shapes and straight lines are softened by gentle colour gradations moving subtly through the background.
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The Milliken design team also wanted to revisit the traditional crafts that had originally put Clerkenwell on the map, so turned to Alan Kitching renowned typographer, designer and pioneering letterpress practitioner. Milliken has a longstanding relationship with Alan who has produced several commissions for them. During a hands-on workshop Alan Kitching shared his approach to colour and form with the Milliken designers through the art of letterpress printing. Learning from Alan’s techniques and tools in colour placement to create depth, texture and patina allowed the design team’s vision to be realised with genuine Clerkenwell authenticity.
Each individual design is inspired by a different aspect of the area. The ‘Circle Top View’ design began with the distinctive half-circle top windows that characterises the district. ‘Time Piece’ is inspired by the clock and watch making history Clerkenwell is synonymous with. ‘Three Corners’ draws on another architectural detail: a triangular structure seen at its best at Smithfield’s Market. ‘EC1’ not only a bi-word for the area, but also a graphical symbol of Clerkenwell and ‘Triangular Path’ reference to the use of the triangular motif observed in the architecture of the neighbourhood. The Milliken designers also looked to the political and historical background of Clerkenwell and drew on what they learned to name the wide array of imaginative colour options. So there are references to Charles Dickens ‘Dickensian Mood’, gin distilleries ‘Gin Craze’ and even Thomas Britton, known as the musical coalman in ‘Singing Britton’.
Clerkenwell is produced in an ISO14001 certified facility in Wigan, UK using ethically sourced and wherever possible, locally produced materials. Four out of five of the designs (Triangular Path, Three Corners, Circle Top View and Time Piece) are produced from Econyl®, 100% recycled content fibre. Clerkenwell carpet tiles feature 90% recycled content cushion backing offering underfoot comfort, improved acoustics and superior appearance retention leading to extended product life. To further reduce its environmental impact, Clerkenwell can be supplied with Milliken’s patented TractionBack® an innovative backing system that enables adhesive free installation and therefore improves indoor air quality, speeds installation and reduces materials usage. Clerkenwell has the added security of the following third party certifications: manufactured in compliance with ISO14001, EPD verified, CRI Green Label Plus and GuT Certified. Clerkenwell with TractionBack® is eligible for LEEDR points. Responsible end of life re-use is assured with the option to return used Clerkenwell carpet through Milliken’s ‘Carpet Take Back’ programme. All of the designs are available within 10 days as part of Milliken’s new ‘Quick Ship’ programme.
