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Image source: Evening Standard/Getty Images
Althea McNish is one of the most influential, post-war textile designers in Britain, who also gained international recognition. Given the nature of her work, and being from my homeland of Trinidad and Tobago, Althea is near the top of my very short list of people that I admire.
Image source: Bill Patterson courtesy N15 Archive
Image source: https://bledsoebags.com/2022/06/16/i-am-a-citizen-of-the-world/
Althea came to the UK in 1950, aged 27, to study architecture but ended up studying commercial graphics at the London School of Printing and Graphics, followed by a degree in textiles from the Royal College of Art via scholarship. Within days of graduating, Althea’s designs were commissioned by Liberty’s and Ascher. Her skills in colour and print were evident, reflecting growing up in tropical Trinidad.Over a very distinguished career, Althea’s work spanned both interiors and fashion, where she designed for other companies including, Heal’s, Conran, Hull Traders, Dior, Biba, Pierre Cardin, and Jacqmar. Her designs were also seen on British Rail trains and worn by Queen Elizabeth II during a tour of the Caribbean in 1966. In the same year, Althea exhibited a ‘Bachelor Girls Room’ at the Ideal Home Exhibition at London Olympia. Reflecting that she was an allrounder, Althea’s work spanned both fabrics and paper, as demonstrated in designing wallpapers for the Olympia exhibit. In 1969, she created the central display of that Ideal Home Exhibit, drawing on the designs of Trinidad’s longstanding carnival tradition.
While Trinidad and Tobago may have a current population of around 1.3 million people, there are lots of accomplished individuals who are known on the world stage. From Brian Lara in cricket, Trevor McDonald in TV journalism, actor and dancer Geoffrey Holder, classical pianist Hazel Scott, and Nobel prize winning author V.S. Naipaul, the list is long, but Althea remains in a realm of her own.
Those who have studied her work, in particular Rose Sinclair at Goldsmiths University, are struck by the lack of books and similar pieces dedicated to Althea’s designs and wider career. However, in 2022, Liberty’s with the help of Sinclair, curated a truly wonderful exhibit, which commenced at the William Morris Gallery in London, but then moved to other cities, starting with Manchester. This was the first major exhibit dedicated to Althea’s work. In recent times, her designs were part of the 2019 exhibition ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ that celebrated black creative pioneers at London’s Somerset House.
Althea sadly passed away in 2020 at the age of 95 prior to Liberty’s exhibit. Last week (on 15 May 2023), a blue plaque was unveiled in her honour at her home and studio of over 50 years.
For me, Althea is one of a kind and will always have a special place in my heart.
