Seductive, tactile and urban, Zinc Textile takes inspiration from the heady heights of 1970s style. Launched in 2010 under the creative leadership of Justin Marr, the brand presents a luxe, versatile fabric & wallcovering range with unexpected elements that ensure originality and cutting-edge design.
Justin joins us this week to discuss the company’s latest collections, including Checkmate, Enzo, Holland Park, Juego and Z Suede.
Raymond Paul Schneider: When did you first start developing this new collection?
Justin Marr: Around two years ago, in early 2023.
RPS: What was your initial inspiration, and where did the idea(s) come from?
JM: We drew from a variety of sources, with a consistent touch of the 70s running through them all. Holland Park, for example takes cues from the distinctive character of the prestigious London borough, Holland Park, while Juego and Checkmate blend influences as diverse as board games, architects like Carlo Scarpa and designers like Gabriella Crespi. Fashion greats such as Chanel are always an inspiration, with modern takes on tweeds often appearing in our collections. The eclectic mix of inspiration is what gives Zinc its unique identity and some would say split personality; we like to mix the rough with the smooth and smart with character.
RPS: Describe your overall creative and design process.
JM: This all begins with the studio team diving into inspiration and exploring different ideas until a common theme emerges. From there, we begin to design and match these with fabric qualities, developing them into something that works perfectly with the material. Finally, it all comes together with the choice of colors, bringing the designs to life in a way that feels cohesive and essentially Zinc.
RPS: Did you have a specific audience or theme in mind?
JM: When designing our collections, we always have our core customer in mind, focusing on creating bold, innovative designs that are of course a little playful and sometimes nostalgic. The Zinc customer is someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously and who appreciates individuality, hence the gregarious nature of our collections.
RPS: What methods, tools, and materials did you use to develop and prototype this design?
JM: We often use a variety of mediums to create our collections, for this launch we used a mix of painting, drawing, collaging and of course CAD. You can often see the method used; our Par design bears the mark of the original watercolor in the print and the precise collaging in our Cubilete tapestry is evident.
RPS: Did you use any new techniques or technologies to conceptualize or create this product? If so, please explain.
JM: For Labyrinth, we used a dissolvable embroidery stitch to achieve a more sun-kissed and casual aesthetic. Portland features a geometric design, with a rich pigment irregularly coating the face of the cloth. We introduced two tapestry designs, Arraz and Cubilete which offer a contemporary twist on traditional weaving techniques, while Ladder uses a more intricate weave than is usual for Zinc, yet still delivers the bold, impactful design the brand is known for.
RPS: Were there any challenges that influenced or changed the final design?
JM: There are always challenges, if there were none I might be out of a job! One of the biggest was balancing colors across different fabric qualities from different suppliers from different continents to make sure they work together without feeling too matchy-matchy.
RPS: Describe your brand’s overall DNA and ethos.
JM: At the heart of Zinc Textile’s DNA lies the confidence to be different. Our ethos has always been rooted in a seductive, tactile, and urban aesthetic, unashamedly drawing inspiration from the bold glamour of the 1970s and seamlessly blending it with a contemporary design sensibility. Zinc Textile embodies a spirit of individuality and self-expression, encouraging our customers to embrace their unique style and create interiors that defy conventional rules. Each collection aspires to inspire creativity, confidence, and a fearless approach to design.
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