Andrew Joseph: What inspired you to become a designer?
James Gomez: I actually started in sales within the interiors industry, working with several high-end textile brands. It gave me a great understanding of what clients were looking for and where the gaps were in the market. I’ve always loved art and design, so it felt like a natural transition to start creating the kinds of textiles I wanted in my own home, more considered, more personal. Founding Yarn Collective allowed me to combine both sides, the creative and the commercial, and step into a more hands-on design role.
AJ: How do you approach a new design project?
JG: It usually starts with a conversation, either with a collaborator, client or internally as a team, and from there we build a loose visual world. I like to work quite instinctively at the beginning, collecting references and experimenting with texture, weave, and color. Once we’ve got the seed of something that feels right, we refine it through sampling and dialogue, it’s always a process of collaboration, whether that’s with a mill, a designer or the wider team. We’re very much an anti-trend kind of brand, for us it’s about understated luxury and longevity so I’m drawn to ideas that feel layered and grounded, where materiality does the talking.
AJ: Can you describe a project that you’re particularly proud of?
JG: I always think your last project should be the one you’re most proud of, so it has to be The Aurora collection we have just created in collaboration with Sister by Sophie Ashby. We’ve known Sophie for years and have always admired her work, so it felt like a very natural creative partnership. The collection was inspired by the changing sky as it shifts from night into day and that special dawn light. The concept lent itself beautifully to rich textures and painterly color. It’s our second collaborative range with Sophie, developed from the ground up with a shared vision, which always made the process feel genuinely exciting. The final designs are expressive and tactile, but still very usable, exactly the balance we aim for.
AJ: How do you incorporate sustainability into your designs?
JG: We try to approach sustainability in a practical, thoughtful way. We predominantly focus on using natural fibres like linen, jute, and wool, as well as recycled yarns wherever possible, including those made from PET plastic bottles and pre-consumer textile waste from the fashion industry. Rather than designing seasonally, we create considered collections that are intended to last, both in terms of style and quality. We keep the range tight to avoid overproduction, and we partner with mills that share our values around responsible manufacturing. It’s about making good decisions at every stage of the process, from fibre to finish.
AJ: If you weren’t a designer, what would you be and why?
JG: I loved my early days in sales, mainly because of the relationships you build, the personal connections that form throughout the process, and the chance to work closely with brilliant clients. If I hadn’t stepped into design, I know I’d still enjoy being out there, working directly with people and sharing what we do.
AJ: What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
JG: We work with a fantastic range of designers and clients around the world who use our textiles in very different ways, but I particularly enjoy projects where we’re invited into a collaborative partnership. When we can help shape a scheme from the ground up — with textiles at the heart of the design, that’s where it gets really exciting.
AJ: What’s your design pet peeve?
JG: Taking it all too seriously. At the end of the day, we’re here to create things that bring joy, whether that’s a product, a space, or a creative solution. I like to make sure our team has fun along the way, and working with clients who share those values is one of the best parts of the job.
AJ: What’s a new hobby or skill that you’ve learned recently?
JG: Parenthood! We’ve just had a baby, so that’s been a whole new chapter, a crash course in patience, multi-tasking, and sleep deprivation. Not sure it’s a skill I’ve mastered just yet, but it’s a wild ride and exciting journey!
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