Meet the Maker behind Echo Echo
Say hello to Jason Gibson
He is the Sydney based textiles designer behind the HOT OFF THE PRESS brand making waves, Echo Echo.
Jason’s debut collection is the product of his obsession with the antique textiles, remnants and documents and the traditional world. He is passion for the technological advances of digital printing methods. He isn’t too fussed with perfection, which we love!!
Antique textiles, remnants and documents are the starting point for most of the collection. He has aptly named his studio Echo Echo because of his process of listening in on a historical text and trying to hear what that noise would sound like today.
“I love starting with a tiny fragment, a clue to what something once was, and having to create a new repeat or fill in the missing gaps. My passion for antique textiles and traditional processes is tempered by my research into the digital colour science that underpins the technology. I think it’s this synergy of contrasts that really informs my aesthetic – between new and old, bold and subtle, machine and hand, cerebral and naive. I really love that tension. I try to centralise this dialogue in all my work.” Says Jason.
Jason has been working in the digital printing industry for over 5 years, splitting his time between Sydney and London to set up European Studio’s. Most of his work has been for the Fashion Industry designing for some amazing Australian icons like Jardan, Anna Spiro, YSG Studio and Tigger Hall. However, in the past few years he became more drawn to the slower pace and permanence of Interiors.
Jason specialises in colour research and range consultancy.
What makes Echo Echo Special?
It’s all in the colour. Jason has created a thoughtful deep relationship to colour and colour transformation. He believes that colour is connected to emotions. He really spends time poring over the colour decisions when creating a print. He says; “I really believe that a colour only becomes a colour once it’s next to another one.”
We just love the careful consideration that goes into each piece and colour selection. Jason has even created a custom colour chart and cut up all the chips so he could easily create his bespoke colour ways and combinations. He adds to this; “When you look closely at my colours, you will see most are not solid, but made up of various pixels that give the colours a bit of wear and life.”
Jason made a very conscious effort to have subtle differences in the colour stories so it’s not one note. He says; “I want it to be a symphony of tones – and a very clever interior designer once told me that their rule is to always miss just a little bit. I think that’s what makes it feel more liveable and filled with character”.
Why Echo Echo choose digital print?
The digital printing process is the most sustainable printing method for Echo Echo’s work, allowing for greater creativity, flexibility and with high quality colour accuracy, you can print to order so there is no waste.
How else are they eco-conscious?
Everything is printed in Sydney, but the linens come in from Belgium. They only print onto natural fabrics, and the process uses water-based inks and steam to set the colours into the fibres of the cloth.
The fabrics and process are made with longevity in mind. Jason says; “they can be washed and ironed or tumble dried and loved for years to come”.
Lastly, but certainly not least we asked, what are your thoughts on perfection? We just loved Jason’s response as it resonated so much without thinking that we’ve copied it verbatim.
I feel really uncomfortable with perfection. I much prefer organic and natural which is the opposite to that. I can’t relate to perfection because it goes against everything I love when it comes to Craft.
I always want to see the subtle hand of the maker and that’s what makes something special to me. Little flaws are right at home with me.
Cheers to that.
We look forward to seeing Echo Echo’s collection grow. View their debut collection here.