The Ultimate Guide to Designers Guild Spring/Summer 2023

Much of the inspiration for the Ikebana collection comes from Japanese plant life and Japanese textile art. The very name "Ikebana" originates from the meticulous art of Japanese flower arranging. Ikebana embodies centuries of study of linear rhythm in plants, taught in thousands of schools of Ikebana located across Japan. Designers Guild's Ikebana collection merges traditional styles with modern techniques and colors to create one of a kind textiles.

Naturally Inspired Patterns

The rich greens of the collection create stunning, jewel-toned fabrics and wallpapers. Tricia Guild, creative director and co-founder of Designers Guild, states "I'm in love with green. The forest, the moss, all these different shades of green together and then we've mixed that with fuchsia and coral and its very dynamic, but to me, it's kind of the landscape as I want to see it."

The Ikebana decorative pillows feature the foliage of the "karakusa" (trailing vine) mirrored across the surface. Its kaleidoscopic pattern reflects Tricia Guild's favorite quality of Ikebana: its symbolism. Ikebana flower arranging symbolically balances the three realms from Chinese Philosophy: heaven, earth and humanity. The vibrant flowers, leaves, and butterfly on the pillow display this spiritual unity.

The Kyoto flower collection is inspired by the city of Kyoto in the spring. Known for its cherry blossoms and peonies since the early 11th century, the mythos of the city is distinctly floral. Items like the Kyoto Flower Indigo Throw invoke this imagery of the peony on a sparse, intentionally designed 100% linen canvas.

The floral and foliage motifs of the throw pillow covers fit well with spring decor trends and can bring brightness to any home.

Patterns Inspired by Traditional Japanese Fabrics

The spring/summer 2023 collection from Designers Guild borrows from two Japanese textile patterns - the Shibori technique, and the Sakiori weaving technique.

Shibori is a Japanese style of indigo dying. The name means "to wring" or "to squeeze" and has been found in Japan since the eighth century. Its patterns are typically more intricate than American tie-dye, according to House Beautiful. 

The Designers Guild SS23 shibori looks are available in fuchsia, emerald green, and indigo. The collection includes shibori decorative pillows and shibori throw blankets. Many of the floral Designers Guild pillows incorporate shibori elements to add visual interest.

Sakiori is a Japanese weaving technique which uses scraps and recycled pieces of old fabric to create new textiles. Designers Guild's sakiori fabrics are made of 46% recycled textiles on a woven cotton ground. The style creates textural and colorful materials.

• Inspired by Japanese weaving technique that weaves together pieces of fabric
• Creates textured, multi-colored look
• 46% of the textile is made of recycled cotton

• Essential Designers Guild floral looks are reimagined with a Japanese influence including peonies and cherry blossoms
• Designs are digitally printed onto 100% cotton linen backing
• Many of the Ikebana pillows (inspired by the Japanese art of flower arranging) reverse to ultra-soft velvet
• Kyoto flower pillows feature peonies with traces of the Shibori Japanese dye technique in the background