The Studio.

Who is behind the studio?

Just me! Stéphanie Chauvel :)

What is your background?

I have lived more than 20 years in Asia and worked in many different fields but my last experience for a baby and toddlers textile accessories brand changed the game: we designed and had our designs printed, it was so exciting. Back in Europe, I decided to continue that path. I have taken countless classes to master the technique and collaborated with print studios in the US to become more professional.

Describe your style.

My designs tend to be modern, simple, yet sophisticated. Among favorites are Abstracts and Geos. I also love telling stories and try to make them playful and engaging. I love giving a contemporary feel to classics, florals, animal prints.

What are your main inspirations / influences ?

Nature, art, photography, architecture, magazines, Pinterest, exhibitions are to me too a major source of inspiration. An apparently insignificant detail can spark the light!

Which place inspires you the most?

I live in Italy and like in France there is endless amazing cultural and natural material. The world's beauty inspires me most!

What sets off your passion for prints?

The first print I ever designed for the baby brand I worked on earlier in Asia blew me away! Having it printed and seeing it coming out of the huge rolls at the printer was a milestone.

Your first print memories.

I found a childhood drawing by chance recently: a girl wearing extra long dress and filled with flowers! Destiny!

Describe your creation process.

I use pencil, markers, paint, and digital tools indifferently, just depending on the creative juice of the moment! There is no rule, just instinct! I love playing with colors, layouts, effects and scale to generate a powerful result!

Having an industry in mind and a trend guide helps me giving a direction to collections. I also enjoy briefs or limitations a lot, funnily it generates extra creativity.

While working, what do you listen?

Podcasts essentially or nothing, I get easily distracted.

What is your job's favorite part ?

While designing, I love feeling when I'm going in a good direction and feeling the flow. I also enjoy the surprise of an effect created by a repeat, often different from what I first envisioned. I love the rush of ideas. Let's try this and that!

What type of product / sector do you mainly work for ?

Currently for women apparel market but my background is in patterns for kids. I also love designing for men and home decor.

On which fairs do you exhibit?

Print Days will be my first show solo! Pattern Observer Studio took some of my designs to show at Surtex, Premiere Vision NY and Blueprint in 2019 and 2020.

What do you want to accomplish in the future?

I'd love to make a living out my designs, have patterns printed to make my own clothing and home deco and why not sell some of them too!

The biggest challenge you had to handle as a designer?

Starting right before Covid -who knew?-, taking the chance of a new path in a very competitive industry! I can do it!

What advice would you like to give to new designers who are just starting out?

Just start, even if you're afraid. There will never be a perfect time. Get ready to switch hats!

Have you seen the profession change?

The job is getting obviously increasingly digital. There's good and bad but we need to adapt and learn! Communities where we help each other are life saving especially in those times, as we work alone and remotely!

Do you like or regret things about this change?

This digitalization offers many unprecedent opportunities yet we need human contacts and Print Days will be a fantastic relief!