Our Favourite Designer Fabrics
Alexander Henry Fabrics is a premium textile design house and part of the De Leon Design Group started by Marc Senior, Phillip and Nicole de Leon. Alexander Henry create entirely unique designs featuring just some of our favourite things - Frida Kahlo, Day of the Dead, Tattoos and The Ghastlies.
The Fabric Design Process
To create these one of a kind designs each fabric starts with a hand painted illustration which gives these prints such an artistic feel to them. It was one of Paul’s top priorities when he opened the business 30 years ago to become a supplier of these great prints. In fact he was so keen he even went to their headquarters in California during a family holiday there.
Paul visits Alexander Henry HQ in Burbeck, California
Our Favourite Alexander Henry Prints
One part of the Alexander Henry Family we love is the Ghastlie Family. Made up of various Ghastlie family members, the illustrations are based on the drawings by Edward Gorey. The cat is called Sebastian, and is featured usually skulking around in the background; other family members include Mathilde Ghastlie who features on A Ghastlie Craft. Also featured on the fabric are her sons Garrick and Cassius and her husband Gaspar.
A Ghastlie Craft Cotton Fabric by Alexander Henry
The Ghastlie world is constantly expanding as in 2021 they went into the lake at their home Widows Peak and created Ghantis Ghastlie which includes mermen, shipwrecks and all sorts.
Ghantis Ghastlie Lake by Alexander Henry
Mexicana Themed Fabrics
Many of our favourite Alexander Henry prints are the fabrics with a Mexican vibe, such as La Paloma print from their Folklorico collection, which celebrates all the traditional aspects of Mexican life such as the exciting elements of colours, flavours and music. If you have ever visited our stand at one of the many shows we have been to over the years, chances are you have admired our La Paloma little girl's dress before. The clever use of colours means it can be contrasted with yellow, red, petrol blue or navy.
Little Girl's Dress in La Paloma Cotton
Frida Kahlo Designer Fabrics by Alexander Henry
Our other all time favourite Alexander Henry print is of course Frida’s Garden, available in three colours and even better the cream and the black is also available on a heavier weight canvas as well as the craft cotton. This print is always in amongst our bestsellers. We have also had this made up in a simple shift dress (keep an eye out for it at the shows soon) which really allows the pattern to do all the talking.
This dress pattern has also worked very well with the border print Frida La Catrina, which as a border print can be slightly intimidating because it can make cutting out a bit trickier. But with a print this great, you really need to allow it to sing and this dress does exactly that. You need to be able to see all the details of this print, you need to be able to see all the Frida inspired human hearts and the changing depiction of Frida to a skeleton.
Border Print Dress in Frida La Catrina
One of the reasons the Alexander Henry Prints are so popular is the continued popularity of Frida Kahlo; we love her at Fabrics Galore as we are sure you already know; in fact she has featured in a number of past blog posts including the one featuring inspirational women in fabric. And if you were looking for more facts to thrill your party guests, may we suggest reading our blog on 10 things you need to know about Frida Kahlo?
2024 Update
With the passing of design director Marc de Leon Senior in May 2024 the Alexander Henry Studio now no longer produces or prints seasonal ranges for retail outlets, instead focussing on custom artwork for manufacturers and large scale customers. The Alexander Henry archive will continue to exist so hopefully a different form of collaboration might develop for us with them in the future. In the meantime we still have over 50 designs in stock and available to help create something unique and memorable.
Find Inspirational Designer Fabrics Online
At Fabrics Galore London find unique designer fabrics online including the wonderful Alexander Henry Collection. Discover our other gorgeous fabrics by UK designers on our website and in our fabric shop in London.
