This Spring, independent British brand Palava will launch its first-ever collaboration with a collection inspired by marine life in partnership with The Natural History Museum.
Access to the Museum‘s archive and rare books library provided inspiration, where Palava founder, designer, and nature lover Bryony Richardson poured over a treasure of illustrations filled with incredible creatures from the ocean’s depths. The result is a unique capsule collection of three marine life-inspired prints – ‘coastal migration,’ ‘ocean jellyfish,’ and ‘the coral reef’ – featuring Palava’s signature silhouettes.
“When the opportunity presented itself, we knew we had to go for it. Collaborating with the Natural History Museum felt just up Palava’s street and to have special access to the incredible archives to pick and choose from was a total joy. With our fascination for the natural world, coupled with our tendency to collect all sorts of weird and quirky specimens and objects, it feels like a match made in colourful heaven.”
(Palava founder and designer, Bryony Richardson)
Each season, nature inspires the Palava collections, with the prints often telling stories about the natural world and our exploration of it. This makes the collaboration a natural fit for both the brand and the Museum. The collection pays homage to the talented illustrators and scientists whose important work has helped develop our understanding of the natural world.
Discovering the archive of an almost 150-year-old Museum fascinated Palava, Who was inspired by drawings and illustrations from the 19th century. While carefully keeping the artwork’s origins, the team skilfully combined Palava’s unique handwriting to develop unique and intricate designs that celebrate the natural world.
Maxine Lister, Head of Licensing at the Natural History Museum, said, “Given our aligned values and dedication to sharing the wonder and beauty of marine life, it should come as no surprise that we’ve collaborated on a wonderful collection showcasing the incredible archive of illustration at the Museum. Creating a collection which is both sustainable and striking was and continues to be key for the Natural History Museum, and this new collection is no exception.”
Palava anticipates that the collaboration will be well received by its customer base, which includes many nature lovers, scientists, academics, and experts in the wonders of the natural world—who return each year for distinctive designs.
The Palava x Natural History Museum collaboration will launch on March 15th, with a further drop on April 5th at Palava.co and in-store at the London shop. Prices range from £80 to £198.
