When I was approached by Bethan, who runs The British Blanket Company alongside her brother Joe, to collaborate on a brushed cotton blanket range, I jumped at the chance. I have been a long time fan of their products as I love their Made in Britain ethos, and these blankets feel incredible. We share the same PR company and Az, who runs it, thought it would be fun to interview us, and you can read it below...
So, Clarissa and Bethan, how did the two of you first meet, and what sparked the idea for a collaboration?
Bethan: We met at Clarissa’s studio in North London a few months ago. Within ten minutes we were talking non-stop about colour, nature, and the creative process. I knew instantly we could create a collection together that our customers would absolutely love.
Clarissa: Yes - we connected immediately as soon as Bethan walked into the studio! We were guided by the gorgeous colours on the shade card as a starting point, and luckily the ideas we put forward for the blankets were greeted with a warm response right away.
What drew you to each other’s work – was there an instant creative chemistry?
Bethan: Completely. I’ve admired Clarissa’s work for years. In fact, I featured her designs in magazines back when I was a stylist and interiors writer, long before The British Blanket Company existed. Her use of colour is so energetic, and I’ve always loved how she brings the natural world to life in her designs.
Clarissa: I was aware of the British Blanket company as I had been following them on Instagram for years. I love the fact that they are made in the UK and also the wonderful array of colours they come in. When Bethan suggested a collab, I absolutely jumped at the chance as finding the right mills that make good quality products that don’t cost the earth is really difficult. I knew that together we could make something really special.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the prints featured in this collection?
Clarissa: All my designs are inspired by the beauty of the natural world. I am an avid collector, and even if I am just out for a morning stroll in the local park, I will be taking photographs or collecting seedheads. You can see many varieties gathered from my UK wanderings in the ‘Seedheads’ design. ‘Indian Summer’ has a more eclectic approach with ferns from the tropics mixed with grasses from the Mediterranean. Finally, ‘Kaleidoscope’ features ferns that were gathered from a plant hunting expedition to Costa Rica, where I visited the primeval cloud forests.
What was it like translating these designs from print to woven textiles?
Bethan: That was where the magic really started to happen. Weaving is such a different medium to print, so we had to be thoughtful about how to preserve the essence of Clarissa’s screen-printed artworks while adapting them for the loom. Our jacquard weavers in Lancashire were amazing, and they were able to weave with incredible detail, without needing ink or paint. There’s something so intriguing about seeing a design emerge thread by thread. The results have so much richness and depth, every blanket really does feel like a work of art.
Tell us about the colours – how were they chosen, and what do they bring to the collection?
Clarissa: I love the look of silhouettes of plants in sunsets, which is where my fixation with ombres originates. The beautiful shade cards of yarns Bethan gave me were actually a dream to work with as the colours almost chose themselves!
I am known for my use of vibrant jewel colours, but I do also love mixing them with more neutral shades. We had to be mindful of the fact that the designs needed to be reversible, so that was in our minds throughout.
Where are the blankets made, and what makes the production process special?
Bethan: The blankets are woven at a jacquard mill in Lancashire with a long heritage of textile craftsmanship. They form part of our Cloud Cotton range, made from 100% recycled cotton and brushed for extra softness. Every piece is carefully woven and hand-finished with a blanket stitch edge, combining beautiful design with sustainable materials and an absolutely gorgeous feel.
Before vs after the brushing process
How did you find the creative process of working together – any surprises along the way?
Bethan: We met at Clarissa’s studio, where she’d laid out a range of design ideas and full-scale prints across a big table. We spent hours looking at the patterns, holding them up, swapping them around, and imagining how they’d translate into weave. We pored over the yarn shade cards too, carefully choosing colour combinations that would work beautifully when reversed.
Clarissa: It was really fun actually! I enjoyed having Bethan's input, as working with woven jacquards is very different from prints. Luckily I have had some experience having designed quite a few towel collections, but it was pretty technical and we had to ask the mill lots of questions as we went along! It was also fascinating how much the designs change when they are brushed. The biggest challenge we had was actually narrowing down all the options, as we had too many ideas together!
How did you ensure the collection felt cohesive, while still reflecting both brands’ styles?
Bethan: The aim was to showcase what people love most about both brands. The softness and quality of the blankets are unmistakably British Blanket Company, but the design language and colour story are all Clarissa.
Clarissa: I feel this all came very naturally actually. We both just did what we know best how to do, and I think it shows in the blankets which are gorgeous (If i may say so myself!)
Do you each have a favourite piece from the collection?
Bethan: For me, it’s Seedheads. It feels really grounding, and the rhythm of the design has such a calming quality. Just like lying in a meadow and looking up to the sky.
Clarissa: Somewhat surprisingly for me, I am going for Kaleidoscope as I think the soft powdery hues suit the delicious fluffy blanket so well. The sample looked so amazing on my bed, I think I will have to keep it there!
What do you hope customers will feel when they wrap themselves in one of these blankets?
Bethan: I hope people feel their blanket is something to really cherish. To fall in love with the comfort, colour of course, but also feel that connection to the craft.
Clarissa: I hope that people will value all the craft and effort that has gone into making a truly unique piece, and they will feel uplifted by the colours. I would love them to be treated like heirloom pieces and keep them forever!
You can shop the full collection of blankets directly with the British Blanket Company via this link