Birdie Fortescue, a U.K. brand embracing British sensibilities with an affection for handcrafted furnishings and global aesthetics, has entered the U.S. market with the participation of a pop-up in the Interior Arts Building in New York, which runs until the end of March.
The namesake brand of Birdie Fortescue, who worked for renowned British interior design firm Colefax & Fowler in her 20s, is “fascinated by architectural details and motifs, textiles, patterns [and] color combinations,” she told Designers Today. The “aesthetic is layering, shaped by a love of travel … Every collection tells a story.”
She first opened a store in Norfolk, England, sourcing antiques from France and Italy that had clean, structured lines – no frills, she said. “It was a sought-after look.” To complement the antiques, she eventually added homewares, beginning with block-print textiles.
Now the comprehensive line spans placemats and glassware to art and lamps to indoor and outdoor furniture, as well as antiques, and everything is made by artisans in India, Indonesia and the U.K. Demand in the U.S led to her crossing the pond, and an upstate New York warehouse will stock the full collection come mid-year, she said.
The Silk Road is her current collection, based on Fortescue’s personal travel to Asia and beyond; the company will debut its newest collection next year.
New items can be layered with previous collections, as she intentionally uses different tones of green, blue and red each season. “You can build on the collection.”
Being an interior designer herself, she knows what designers need, and that includes the ability to customize her line as well. “I’m not just wanting to sell product, it comes from a deep understanding of the industry.”
Come April, the company will debut at High Point Market through The Design Social Pop-Up, which connects interior designers with boutique brands.
