In this blog, you will delve into the history, inspiration, and creative process behind the August Berg x Morris & Co. exclusive watch collection, a testament to timeless design and enduring craftsmanship.
William Morris, a renowned designer and the creative force behind Morris & Co., was a true visionary. His influence on interior design remains profound, with Morris & Co. textiles and wallpapers adorning homes worldwide. Now, Morris & Co. collaborates with August Berg to bring their timeless designs to a fresh canvas: the wrist.
1. Could you share insights into the history and philosophy behind Morris & Co.'s iconic designs?
William Morris was one of the most influential figures of the nineteenth century. Noted as a political theorist, publisher, environmental campaigner and poet, his legacy as an outstanding designer continues to pervade homes worldwide. Under his direction, Morris & Co. grew into a flourishing Arts & Crafts decorating firm renowned for its wallpapers and textiles, and today, we continue to build on that proud heritage with inventive reimaginations of Morris & Co. classics, recoloured and rescaled from the original archive.
His most iconic designs are beloved by many, and Morris’s commitment to creating lovingly crafted goods for the home ensured their enduring appeal. From Strawberry Thief to Willow Bough and every design in between, Morris & Co. designs are timeless and adored by many.
2. How does Morris & Co. preserve its heritage while adapting to modern design trends and consumer preferences?
Our treasured archive serves as a continuous source of inspiration, allowing us to dip into the historical work of Morris & Co. and build on our heritage through considered and thoughtful reinterpretations that flow within modern design settings. Through working with interior designers and collaborating with exclusive partners, we’re able to continue the Morris & Co. design narrative in a way that feels natural and timeless, always appreciative of the original work created by Morris.
3. Can you explain the inspiration behind the Morris & Co. x August Berg watch collection?
This has been a fantastic opportunity to revisit some of our most cherished designs from our archive and reimagine them on a scale and medium we’ve never worked in before while preserving the details that make a Morris & Co. design so recognisable. Seeing the beauty of Bachelors Button or the mischief of our iconic Strawberry Thief in this beautiful scale for watches has been so exciting. It was important that each design worked perfectly in this medium, resulting in a wonderfully curated collection of timepieces.
4. Can you elaborate on the creative process involved in selecting and adapting Morris & Co.'s motifs for use in watchmaking?
As makers and designers, we respect the importance of the craft, just as William Morris himself did. We worked closely with August Berg, learning from their expertise in the field and combining that with our studio’s creative skills in colour, scale and design to produce the perfect motifs for this collection.
5. Can you tell us about the silhouettes, patterns, and techniques you explored in this collection?
Morris & Co. designs range from simplistic and serene to decorative and abundant in scale and formation, so we searched for designs where we could extract and isolate elements to create something with all the spirit of Morris & Co. but with the perfect balance for a watch face. Designs such as Strawberry Thief lent themselves to the process perfectly, isolating that cheeky bird, whereas we leaned into the bold symmetry of Pimpernel for that watch design.
If ever in need of inspiration at Morris & Co., we go back to his most iconic quote: ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’ These words, cemented in our minds, reflect the simplicity of designing and making that we always try to portray in our work. This partnership with August Berg pairs the two design sentiments perfectly, creating watches that are both useful and beautiful.
6. Can you elaborate on the colour palette chosen for the latest collection ‘Simply Strawberry Thief’ and how it reflects the shared vision of Morris & Co. and August Berg?
The colour palette reflects fresh maximalism, allowing the beauty of the designs to sing from a clean ground on the face, all worn together with coordinating straps to complete the look.
7. How does Morris & Co.'s design philosophy resonate with the concept of timefulness, especially in today's fast-paced world?
Morris & Co.’s entire philosophy is centred on creating lovingly crafted goods for the home, from wallpaper to watches and everything in between. Mindfulness in design comes from the understanding that you do not design for a moment but for a lifetime of beauty. This is how William Morris designed, with nature providing the ultimate inspiration, and it is as true today as ever.
8. In what ways does the exclusive collaboration aim to resonate with both Morris & Co. and August Berg's respective audiences while creating a distinct identity of its own?
We believe our aligned values as brands will speak to our audience. Combining Morris & Co.’s iconic designs and heritage with the beautiful knowledge of watchmaking from August Berg is a truly compelling collaboration.
9. Finally, what will wearers experience or feel when they wear a Morris & Co. x August Berg watch?
A sense of heritage, closeness to nature and overall, timeless beauty.
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