THE UPPERLANDS COLLECTION
Our debut print collection is inspired by the magnificence of water and how instrumental it has been to us at William Clark over the last three centuries. Particularly focussing on the impact and life this vital element has brought to Upperlands, this collection explores how early pioneers of technology at Clarkâs harnessed water to drive an industry and the natural life our temperate climate gives rise to. Photography, drawing, painting and mark making brought together on fabric in bold patterns. Our designs and colour palettes have been created to invoke positive emotions and create striking spaces with a contemporary twist on traditional Irish linen.
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Airmid
Airmid is a Goddess of healing in Irish folklore. This contemporary floral print depicts the plant Self Heal which blooms in late Summer and has long been used medicinally for healing. The Upperlands area thrives on water brought by the river Clady and the often damp conditions experienced in Mid Ulster give host to a huge variety of plant life including this healing wild flower.
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Faded Grandeur
This textural print is inspired by the weather beaten walls of our currently abandoned art deco former head office. Water has helped build and nurture our business over the last three centuries, but the elements have also made their mark on our constructions around the factory site.
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Flax Fields
A bold design fusing painting and photography depicting flax blowing in the wind and in its harvested bundled form. The flax plant is not only the basis for linen yarn, but was instrumental in the growth of our business in the 18th century, and for all linen mills throughout the counties of Ireland.
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Osmosis
What lies beneath. The power of the water wheels churned the water for centuries, and even with our new digital processes, reaction in water is still key to our processing. Agitation in washing is a pivotal part of producing our digitally printed linens. A painted canvas is the inspiration behind this turbulent print.
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Revolution
This energetic print is full of movement and details some of the engineering and planning that made the use of water power possible. Chanelling and harnessing the power of water around the factory showed real ingenuity from generations of the Clark family and heavily involved wheel power, to open the sluice gates and to power the beetling engines.
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Ripple
Sister design to Torrent, paper marbling on a smaller scale pays homage to the gentle rippling of the river Clady. Today it is hard to imagine how such a large operation was built upon the water supply from a humble tributary such as the Clady.
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Shuttle
Shuttle is a beautiful Linen available in five shades to accompany prints in the Upperlands collection.
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Torrent
This bold, large scale print depicts the rush of nature that helped shape William Clark. The sheer force of water powered the beetling engines that turned our business from a cottage industry to one of worldwide exports.
