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With a creative background in interior design and years spent surrounded by beautiful treasures at our city’s top decor boutique, it’s no surprise that local designer Erin Chow found her passion creating stunning pieces for the home.
We checked in with Chow to find out what inspired her to take the leap into starting her own textile brand,ÌýHaven Textile Company, and how she keeps her creativity flowing.Ìý
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Tell us a little about yourself.Ìý
I was born and raised in Vancouver.ÌýI completed my education in Interior Design at BCIT and have been working atÌýThe Cross Decor and DesignÌýfor five years. I developedÌýan affinity for pattern and texture while working in the industry and found myself driven to create.ÌýMy weekend dye experiments soon moved into a studio space in Railtown and Haven Textile Company was established. I am always striving to create beauty and balance in my life andÌýI believe that travel feeds my soul.
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How did you get started in textiles and what led you to where youÌýare now?Ìý
I was looking for a way to salvage a shirt that I had stained and found a DIY [solution] while surfing Pinterest.ÌýI made an attempt at dyeing and was hooked.ÌýI started experimenting with different shibori techniques and natural dyes and found myself completely taken with the process. I attended a few workshops through theÌýMaiwa School of TextilesÌýto further develop my skills and soon outgrew my tiny kitchen. I moved my work to Octopus Studios in Railtown and shortly after launched my line of hand-dyed textiles focusing on one-of-a-kind pieces for your home.
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What colour best describes your personality?Ìý
Grey, but not in a boring, drab kind of way! Think cool, calm and serene.Ìý
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What is your favourite accessory?Ìý
Pillows, of course!
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When it comes to style/design, what is the one thing you covet the most?Ìý
I have a beautiful carved skull that I picked up in Bali. It was the start of a three-week-long trip, and I lugged that thing everywhere.ÌýEvery time I look at it, I'm reminded of my trip.
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Do you have any predictions for the future of your industry? Ìý
I see that people are really asking more questions about what they are purchasing: Where was this made? How was this made? What kind of materials were used?ÌýI'm seeing a shift in people considering the global impacts of something they are purchasing for their home.
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Do you collect anything?Ìý
I'm really not a stuff person. I like to keep my personal space very simple and clean. Ìý
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Who is your idol or mentor?Ìý
I'm a huge fan of Craig Stanghetta and the work of Ste. Marie.
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What is your favourite creative website?Ìý
So hard to choose just one!ÌýÌýRue,ÌýLonny,ÌýAmber Interiors,ÌýSF Girl by Bay
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If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?Ìý
I think I'd make a pretty good detective, or maybe running some sort of Airbnb in Mexico.
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Is there a song or a musician that inspires you to create?Ìý
Sade gets me in the zone.
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What would your advice be to those considering a career in the arts?Ìý
Follow your heart.
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Artistically, what is your favourite part of the city?Ìý
I love the old charm of Gastown, but the eclectic-ness of Main Street.
