All About Elizabeth Cleall
2011 will mark Elizabeth's fourteenth year as a professional designer!! A journey started after studying Fashion & Textile design (1) she initially worked as a freelance textile designer producing designs for printed textiles for fashion fabrics and bed linens for companies throughout Europe & USA.
Elizabeth was invited to join a large London design practice on a temporary freelance contract moving on after four years having secured her position as one of the senior designers in the company. Whilst there she was involved in producing trend forecasts, colour and design work for paint manufacturers, carpet producers and interior product ranges. And diversely, fabric designs and interior styling concepts for an automotive company. (2) In the mid 1980's Elizabeth was the in-store interior design consultant at Holmes of Reading. It was here that she was able to combine her design skills with the high quality furniture, soft furnishings and discerning interior products that have become her trade mark. (3)
Elizabeth had the opportunity to start her own design business in 1991 (4) gathering together a team of highly skilled curtain makers and fitters and associated trades people. (5)
More recently there is there is nothing like a 50th birthday to instigate a new direction, hence the expansion to the Followers Unit studio! It is becoming an inspiring place to work and for clients to visit too. Elizabeth is planning to combine all her experiences to date, and along with her new studio team offering not only a complete design and supply furnishing service but a venue for design workshops, art exhibitions and showcases for talented crafts people.
(1) Selected by the Design Council as one of the 30 most promising students of the year for an exhibition of work at the Royal College of Art.
(2) Travelling extensively to various European Trade Fairs and Style Exhibitions
(3) 1987 began lecturing for Reading Adult College and later Bracknell & Wokingham College teaching 8 week non accredited courses and one day workshops in Interior Design.
(4) In addition, Freelance design consultant to M&S, touring stores throughout the UK advising staff on interior design skills.
(5) Lectured on City & Guilds Room Planning course for the last four years.