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Our latest Designer Spotlight focuses on our newest addition to the Newmor Designer collection: Print Pattern Archive. Consisting of Cheryl O’Meara and Kerri Rigby, PPA is a remarkable duo whose extensive collection of vintage textiles and wallpapers informs their historically inspired contemporary prints.

Spanning over two decades, the Print Pattern Archive has collaborated with iconic brands – their unique approach to blending heritage with modern aesthetics sets them apart in the design industry.

We sat down with Cheryl, one half of the duo to explore into the Print Pattern Archive’s creative process, and how they draw inspiration from their extensive archive to create contemporary designs and chat about the enduring significance of historical beauty in today’s fast-paced design world.

Pictured Above: Left: from PPA’s Collection with Newmor:Mythical Dynasty and Right: photo from PPA’s studio.

How did your design journey begin, and how did you acquire your archive?

In 1997, my design journey began in the bustling heart of New York City’s garment district, a dream come true for a young and eager 23-year-old. Working alongside Marlene Goldstein and her incredible archive was like stepping onto a film set every day, igniting my passion and sparking a lifelong love affair with vintage design.

That time was a challenging period for Marlene, I had the privilege of supporting her and her business, setting up the design side of the archive and providing inspiration to iconic brands like Ralph Lauren, Donna Karen, and Victoria’s Secret.

Twenty years later, in a surprising twist of fate, Marlene reached out and gifted me with the archive. At the time it was my turn to have some life challenges and in a serendipitous moment she changed my life with this unexpected gift, a testament to the bond we shared and a thank you for the dedication I had shown back in 1998. Despite the physical demands of retrieving the archive during a scorching 40°C heatwave in June 2012, the thrill of uncovering hidden gems and finding the archive largely intact filled me with joy.

I was delighted by this incredible opportunity to reconnect with the Print Pattern Archive that I cherish so deeply.

Pictured Above: From PPA’s studio

What inspires your work?

Aside from the archive, I consider artists to be communicators of beauty. That beauty can come in all visual forms. When something grabs me my heart skips a beat. I find myself in a process of directing why then I set about translating it into a visual language that everyone else can connect to & enjoy.

Pictured Above: Left – all designs from the Newmor X PPA collection, Right – Kerri in the PPA studio.

With such an extensive textile and wallpaper archive at your disposal, how do you decide which elements to bring into your contemporary designs?

When I’m looking through the collections, my client, project or interior space would have been ‘percolating’ in my creativity for a while. Subconsciously when something is in my creative field, it gathers momentum. When I’m ready to start the process, I can pull out references from lots of eras, styles. I’m like a whirling dervish pulling things off of shelves until the table is complete with everything I need! Colour inspo, different motifs, texture, elements to layer.

Pictured above: Shikoku from the PPA X Newmor collection

How do you balance maintaining the heritage aspect of your designs while giving them a modern twist?

I think most designers have an instinct, I know I find myself asking ‘why is this beautiful?’ In everything from restaurants to wild landscapes, to the shape of a flower, to the colours of a painting in a gallery, (that was just this weekend!) By immersing myself in city and county environments I have a sense of ‘what’s hot & new’ from human creativity and what’s eternal and enduring from Mother Nature, art and the archive. It’s a great melting pot.

Pictured above: Left-  Cheryl in the PPA studio. Right – Vintage Verdure from the PPA X Newmor collection

Is there a particularly memorable project you have worked on, and why?

This collaboration is a first for us, we work on so many notable projects but often in the background, which I don’t mind. It’s been very new to engage with the designers and be in conversation around the end use. Often I just walk into a store and go, ‘Oh there’s my design, I forgot about that’. I rarely speak to the buyer of the dress! I like the continuity, it feels more connected from design to finish.

As an aside, I remember taking a collection to Alexander McQueen HQ studios, in a beautiful unmarked deco building. It was like being in a film set, a bit of a ‘pinch me’ moment early on when I was building the business.

I’m also excited to see the much awaited Soho House Manchester opening this year where we have 3 bespoke interiors projects including huge printed abstract art acoustic panels that I created for the lower ground floor.

Pictured above: Mythical Dynasty from the Newmor X PPA collection

The design industry is constantly evolving. How do you ensure your work remains relevant and innovative whilst ensuring you still say true to your brand and heritage source material?

Design is evolving fast, AI is impacting and shifting how we work. The global creative landscape is more unitive than it ever has been, we have so much instant exposure to newness 24/7. I think if you’re passionate about what you do, as I am, it doesn’t feel like work. It’s more of a way of being or a lifestyle. Without being conscious of it, I am absorbing all the time and creating all the time whether it be at home or work. Kerri, my co director like to call ourselves ‘lifeaholics’. Just constantly absorbing everything, learning and creating in all aspects of life!

Pictured Above: Left – cheryl and Kerri in the studio. Right: Fabric from the PPA archive

Could you share an instance where a particular document from your archive significantly influenced a design project?

It’s difficult to think of one project as there have been so many. Generally my favourite feeling is when a design team or designer visits the archive and finds a piece or collection that they get so excited about. I love to observe and support that process, it really is delightful & makes me happy that the archive is infusing it’s magic. For me it’s feeling the power of inspiration and how much that elevates creativity. It enables designers to do what they do, times 10!

Pictured Above: Gilded Garden from the Newmor X PPA collection.

What advice would you give to young designers who want to integrate historical elements into modern designs?

I think the past is such a huge teaching resource. Understanding how industry artists worked, and how well trained they were in executing and translating the world into print. From landscapes, to abstract geometric, by studying this there is so much to learn. even if you are more digital I would be inclined to think more like an artist. Follow your instincts and create from your heart & design what you love, you’ll see this passion translated in your work. In the past when I’ve created from ‘mind’ for commercial value or from what I think might sell, there’s just not the same ‘wow’ to my work. I would also say go the extra mile and put your all into everything you do, it pays dividends in the end.

Pictured above: from the Newmor X PPA collection Left – Vintage Verdure. Right – The Persian Painter

Quickfire favourites: 

Place – I’m partial to a mountain in summer!

Food or drink – Something soulful, homegrown and vegan.

Movie, TV show or Music – Anything that moves me, inspires me or makes me laugh. I’m not a big TV watcher but I love to dance all night!

Pictured Above: Shikoku From the Newmor X PPA collection

To explore more of Print Pattern Archive’s beautiful work, visit their website at www.printpatternarchive.com  and follow the studio on instagram @print_pattern_archive

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover PPA’s exclusive collection of commercial wallcoverings at newmor.com

To find out more about the inspirations behind the PPA X Newmor collections, check out the lookbook here, or watch the launch video below.