Inspired by the beautiful gardens scattered throughout Paris, 'The Water Gardens' isn't solely based on any one particular garden that I visited on a recent trip to the French capital, but it is an amalgamation of all the beauty I soaked up and reimagined for you in my own imaginary ornamental garden. Featuring mysterious dragonflies, delicate vines, tumbling ginkgo leaves, and graceful lilies in a soft, cool palette of blues, greens and neutral elements, the collection takes you on a journey through the gardens with the main character, the dragonfly as your guide.
Through tangled vines and delicate flowers,
gliding through the leafy bowers.
Around the corner, hidden from sight,
I follow the dragonfly with childish delight.
Emerging briefly to alight low.
Dipping beneath the evening glow.
As ornamental ponds come into view,
the water coolly glistens blue.
Along a pathway overgrown,
the way to only her is known.
Soaring past where lilies sleep,
eddies swirl near currents deep.
Here she pauses, watching, waiting.
Light moves with the water, oscillating.
Heart shaped ginkgo leaves pirouette.
Cascading, relaxed in etiquette.
Dodging leaves in dance and play,
she moves quickly from their way.
Weaving through rushes, a silent game.
A water spirit no one can tame.
Flitting about with no respite,
then racing off into the night.
Leaving me tranquil and serene.
To admire the water garden scene.
Firstly I'd like to introduce you to 'Graceful Reflections', the hero print for the collection. Featuring dragonflies, Calla lilies, alliums, water lilies and various other delicate florals, I wanted this directional design to really encapsulate the feel of a water garden. The symmetrical, directional flow adds to the formal, curated garden feel. This design is available in 'Pale Truffle,' 'Duck Egg Blue' and 'Navy Blue.'
Beautiful Calla lilies interwoven with white blossom vines create pretty heart shapes in my secondary print 'Serenity'. Available in 'Light Blue,' 'Forest Green' and 'Charcoal,' this design reminds me of the gorgeous ironwork railings which can be found throughout Paris. I really wanted to reproduce the geometric, intricate designs whilst not letting the design become too complicated. Keeping the print directional was intentional and allows the print to flow nicely.
As the name suggests 'Dragonfly Gala' was inspired by the dragonflies dancing around the ponds and water lilies. Flitting between the water lilies, the different directions of the dragonflies combined with the eddies swirling beneath the lilies creates a sense of movement. This design comes in 'Pale Truffle,' 'Duck Egg Blue' and 'Dusky Teal' and I can imagine it being made into beautiful A-line dresses and skirts.
'Wild Harmony' is one of my favourite designs from the collection. It comes in 'Cream,' 'Pale Truffle' and 'Navy Blue' and I especially love the contrast between the cream and the navy. Featuring the ‘tangled vines and ‘delicate flowers’ from the beginning of my poem, this tossed co-ordinating print is so versatile. From quilt borders to bag linings, I can see so many uses for this design, and I can’t wait to see what you all make with it.
A water garden wouldn’t be complete without a ginkgo tree, so I knew I had to include the gorgeous heart shaped leaves in my collection. I wanted this little ditsy to have a feeling of movement, as in my poem: ‘heart shaped ginkgo leaves pirouette, cascading, relaxed in etiquette,’ so I knew it would be the perfect design for a blender. 'Ginkgo Cascade' comes in 'Light Blue,' 'Dusky Kashmir' and 'Dusky Teal.'
This collection is a beautiful end to the Summer season and beginning to Autumn projects. I really can’t wait to see what everyone makes with it. Please tag me in any photos on Facebook and Instagram using #CassandraConnolly or @cass_connolly .
You can find ‘The Water Gardens’ in all good fabric shops from July 2024. For a preview of the full collection just click HERE.
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