Molly Martin for DARN
An artist, illustrator and professional textile repairer, DARN has the pleasure of introducing a selection of ‘how to wear’ drawings created by Molly Martin, especially for the When Life Gives You Lemons collection. With a creative style that emulates her own personal taste, personality and love for bringing attention to detail, Molly has been a part of the DARN family long before this collaboration!
Since meeting whilst studying at Falmouth University, I kept in touch with Molly following graduation and have watched her develop an admirable reputation for her repair work, having toured with TOAST teaching repair workshops in London and throughout the UK, alongside her role as sole repairer for slow fashion company, egg trading. Additionally, she has put together solo illustrative shows in London and Madrid and released two books! Go Molly!!
Inspired by a vintage Hermes lookbook, gifted from a friend for my birthday this year, the DARN x Molly Martin collaboration offers a charming selection of illustrative prints that encourage you to wear your DARN scarf in a variety of different ways. Presented through simplistic step by step instructions, I trusted that Molly would bring her own special touch to the process, making wearing your own DARN piece that bit more special! And of course, she’s done just that for us….
To help you get to know Molly, we had a quick Q&A session to learn more about her everyday routine, her favourite way to wear a DARN scarf and what era she would travel back to, if ever she had the opportunity!
Tell us about how you start your day, what lights you up in the morning?
First and foremost - A big cup of tea in bed! On the weekdays this is followed by ‘The Wim Hoff Breathing Method’ for ten minutes - look it up, It’s a life changer! Followed by a cold shower! I’ve been doing this routine since last October and I feel really guilty if I don’t do it now! I’ve always been useless at exercise! so this is a good way to wake me up and feel fresh in the morning - rain, snow or shine.
Where do you live and what do you love about it?
I recently moved to Greenwich in South East London. I love it here because the river is close by, and there is an amazing park around the corner. I can climb to Greenwich observatory and look back at the city of London, happy to be on the outside, but not too far away either!
What led you to start drawing?
I’ve always drawn things. When I was little I would spend hours on end at the kitchen table with my brother, drawing made up characters, comic books and dream worlds. There were always pens and paper in the house thanks to my parents - which made it very easy to draw whenever we wanted to (which was often!).
As a textile repair specialist, illustrator and artist, what does DARN mean to you?
Illustrative, fun, playful, honest, sustainable, special, classy and considered. DARN is a wonderful example of carefully considered and beautifully made textiles, made to be loved for life!
Why do you do what you do and how has it transitioned through the years?
I suppose I do what I do because I am what I am! I draw and paint as much as I can and always have really - so it feels like something that is within me, rather than a choice I’ve made. When I feel low I usually treat myself to a gallery visit or a new book on a favourite artist. Works of art make me feel better. It roots me to the ground. My work has grown and transitioned over the years into more experimental mediums. I am inspired by traditional techniques in both my textile repair work, as well as my illustrative work. I am currently re-acclimatising myself within the world of printmaking. I love using the traditional inks, paper, plates and press. There’s something so honest and direct about it - and I love working with my hands in this way.
What is your favourite DARN item? Do you have a go-to way of wearing a scarf?
I am particularly in love with the new Chemise shirts range, made from recycled linen cloth - amazing! And a beautiful DARN scarf wrapped around a plait in my hair - yes please!
Tell us about your studio/working space…
I recently moved to a new studio at Thames Side Studios in Woolwich. It’s a big step for me, because it’s completely mine! It has enough space for two desks and a printing top table, so I'm very excited!
Any songs or albums that have been on repeat lately?
I usually listen to podcasts and Audible! ‘In Our Time’ with Melvin Bragg is an ongoing companion and anything written and read by Bill Bryson makes me very happy and content at work. Music wise, I’m really into ‘The Lounge Lizards’ right now - brilliantly strange jazz music which I find fits my mood every time at the moment.
You’ve just started STILL, an online flower drawing class - what is your favourite flower and why?
I love big bloomy floppy garden roses - they smell like heaven. My other favorites are peonies and ranunculus!
If you could travel anywhere back in time, where would you go and who would you be?
I would love to watch over the painting shoulders of Vincent Van Gogh, Tove Jansson, Louise Bourgeois, Vanessa Bell, Egon Schiele, Hokusai etc etc... Maybe I could come back as a moth and secretly spy on them from a little corner in their studios.
Thankyou Molly, it is such a pleasure to have you as part of the DARN collective!
The DARN When Life Gives You Lemons collection will be available for purchase from 18th June - you can keep an eye on updates via our newsletter and instagram. To see more of Molly’s work follow these links: Website: mollymartin.uk / Instagram: @molly.a.martin.
