Introducing
Alison Hastie for FDJ

Born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, and later moved to London for university, where Alison spent half her life. She pursued a degree in Textile Design at Central Saint Martin’s. She cherishes precious moments with her toddler while awaiting another joy in November.

Since 2006, she has been immersed in print design, crafting captivating creations for fashion and interiors. In 2016, she embarked on an exhilarating freelance journey, spreading her artistic wings even further.

Her design prowess knows no bounds, spanning catwalk glamour, in-house collaborations with esteemed high street brands, and exciting partnerships with diverse print studios.

During her downtime, Alison escapes into enchanting worlds of fiction. And when life’s rhythms beckon her to dance, she lets techno’s magnetic pull guide her every move. Out of all the captivating destinations, she has her heart set on Singing Sands beach, nestled on the picturesque Isle of Islay in Scotland. One particular joy in her life brings sparkle to her eyes. It’s that serendipitous moment when she sees her own designs on passersby’s clothes or on boutique shelves.
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CONFIDENT COLORPLAY

“For me, a lovely print has the power to evoke joy, and I hope my designs do the same for others. I feel very drawn to certain prints, and I feel more confident when I wear something beautiful, and represents me.”

THE POWER OF PRINTS

“Embrace the transformative power of print and let your spirit soar!”

 

LIFE’S NARRATIVES

“My hope is that these artworks are not mere decorations; they enliven spaces, spark conversations, and inspire daily life.”

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VISUAL RHAPSODY

“Blending hand-drawn and digital artistry, each design becomes a visual symphony that resonates deeply.”

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Can you walk us through your creative process when designing the prints for this collaboration?

For each print, the Creative Director sends me a really clear brief, with some inspiration images, a colour palette, and some technical information about how the design will be printed. Each design starts differently, sometimes with ink or watercolour paintings, or pencil sketches, and then I scan these in and start designing on the computer. I then create the main elements of the design, and finally get to work on the repeat and colour separation, so the print is ready to be sent for production.

How do you balance your personal artistic style with the brand’s aesthetic?

I have a real love for detailed patterns, and happily for me, the prints I was asked to do for FDJ required a lot of detail! I love the challenge of working within the constraints of a brief – I can be really creative and add all kinds of elements and flourishes, but it always must tie back to the brief with its colour palette and specific reference images.

Can you talk about any challenges you faced during the collaboration and how you overcame them?

The only challenge I anticipated was the time difference – I’m based in London which is 5 hours ahead of Montreal – but actually it worked really well. I would spend my morning working on the main body of the design, then send it to Kiki for review at my lunchtime/her morning – then I’d spend the afternoon making any changes and doing the technical work (the repeat and colour separation).

What do you hope people feel when they wear your (collaborative) prints?

For me, wearing a print can really lift my mood, and it’s like a sign to the world that I’m feeling good about myself today. Deciding to wear a print can be a way to celebrate yourself!

MODERN BOHEMIAN

“…I try to gather lots of ideas, and mix them together. Such as Indonesian Batik-style motifs mixed with Indian woodblock technique, combined with William Morris-style pattern making. And always following current fashion trends, interesting graphic design from posters on the street, contemporary art etc.”

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