The Revival of Prints: From Tartan to Florals
After years dominated by minimalism, bold prints and classic patterns are roaring back into UK fashion. Timeless motifs like tartan skirts, florals, and checks once staples of heritage wardrobes are enjoying a modern revival on British streets and runways. Designers are raiding archives and breathing new life into vintage prints, proving that more is once again more when it comes to style. Layered tartan-on-tartan looks, ditsy flower prints, and even mixed pattern mashups are transforming everyday outfits into statements.
One brand at the forefront of this print renaissance is Timeless London, an indie label aptly named for its vintage-inspired approach. Founded in 2021, Timeless London was “born out of a love for all things vintage,” recreating iconic 1930s-1970s styles with a “modern twist, exclusive prints, and sustainable fabrics.” From swing dresses in retro floral prints to woolen circle skirts in clan tartans, they specialize in the very patterns now trending anew. Their approach reflects why prints are resurging: nostalgia for classic designs combined with contemporary sensibilities (like eco-friendly textiles and inclusive sizing).
Prints like tartan, floral, and check have deep roots in UK fashion, and Timeless London works these into wearable, current pieces. Take their use of tartan: once the Scottish plaid of Highland clans and later a punk symbol, tartan is being reimagined as a playful everyday pattern. Timeless London’s collections include 1960s-style sleeveless tartan dresses and A-line skirts that wink at mod-era chic. Likewise, their floral dresses channel mid-century romancethink 1940s tea dresses and 1950s garden party frocks -- but are cut in comfy modern fabrics for today’s women. Even polka dots get a nod (a print perpetually “in style,” now mixed boldly with others). The result is a line of clothing that proves everything old is new again. You might style a Timeless London floral midi dress with white trainers and a denim jacket for a high-low mix or pair their tartan skirt with a crisp blouse for a quirky office look. The key is how effortlessly these prints transition into modern wardrobes when balanced with contemporary basics.
Timeless London’s success highlights the broader trend: across the UK, brands, both heritage and upstart, are embracing signature prints as their calling card. Below, we look at eight standout brands (including Timeless) leading this print & pattern revival each with a unique motif, a story behind it, and fresh ways to wear it now.
1. Timeless London: Vintage Prints with a Modern Twist
Signature Patterns: Tartan plaids, ditsy florals, polka dots, and checks, all reworked in vintage-inspired silhouettes. As mentioned, Timeless London is a young British brand (est. 2021) that has built its name on “creating vintage-inspired pieces from iconic eras…the thirties, forties, fifties, and seventies infused with a modern twist, exclusive prints, and sustainable fabrics.” The company’s very ethos is about making classic prints timeless again. They scour retro fashion archives for inspiration, then reinterpret those prints on contemporary, wearable garments. The result is clothing that feels nostalgic yet current perfect for print lovers who want a touch of retro flair without looking costumed.
Tartan Revival: Timeless London frequently features tartan, the crisscrossed plaid historically worn by Scottish clans. Once associated with kilted Highland dress, timeless tartan has periodically surged in fashion (from Queen Victoria’s tartan ballroom in the 1800s to Vivienne Westwood’s punk tartans in the ’70s). In Timeless London’s hands, tartan becomes everyday chic. For example, their “Teddy” dress in red wool tartan channels a 1960s mod look with its A-line cut and contrast Peter Pan collar. They also offer full woolen midi skirts in hearty wool checks (one navy-and-khaki tartan swing skirt earned rave reviews for its quality and vintage charm). Style tip: Wear a tartan skirt with a simple turtleneck or a graphic tee to let the pattern shine. Adding modern accessories, white sneakers or a leather jacket will keep the plaid looking street-smart rather than like a school uniform.
Florals & Polka Dots: Florals are another timeless London staple unsurprising, as “flowered garments are a MUST” nearly every spring/summer. But instead of generic blooms, the brand leans into retro prints: think 1940s-style ditsy floral sprigs or bold 70s flower-power motifs. A timeless London floral dress (like their popular Bryson Blue Floral) might feature a fit-and-flare cut that nods to 1950s femininity, but in an updated length or wrinkle-resistant fabric. These pieces feel delightfully romantic yet practical for modern life. Even in winter, Timeless finds ways to work in florals e.g., via dark base colors or floral jacquard textures. They likewise play with polka dots, another vintage print making a comeback. A navy polka dot midi dress with puffed sleeves, for instance, nails both retro vibes and current trends.
Style tip: Ground a sweet floral or polka-dot dress with edgy accents: a chunky boot or an oversized blazer can add contrast, preventing the look from veering too “costume.” Alternatively, embrace the vintage vibe fully, pin-curl your hair, swipe on red lipstick, and rock those prints with confidence at your next daytime event or tea party.
Sustainable Prints: Notably, Timeless London is part of a movement to make ethical fashion pretty. They often use sustainable or deadstock fabrics for their print runs, meaning your new floral frock or tartan coat is a bit kinder to the planet. In an era when fast fashion prints are everywhere, Timeless’s limited-edition, higher-quality pieces stand out. These garments are made to last so their timeless prints truly live up to the brand name. As one fan put it, “Our pieces are truly ‘timeless,’ designed to be cherished for years to come.”
Why It Leads the Revival: Timeless London perfectly illustrates how UK brands are resurrecting beloved prints from the past. By combining nostalgic patterns with modern fits (and inclusive sizing up to 4XL), they make prints accessible and appealing to a wide audience. Whether it’s a tartan mini dress evoking swinging-60s London or a dainty rose print sundress that could be out of a 1940s film, Timeless London’s creations encourage women to rediscover the joy of pattern in their wardrobe. In doing so, they’re inspiring other young labels to follow suit and proving that in British womenswear, classic prints are cool again.
2. Liberty London: Heritage Florals From Archive to Wardrobe
Signature Patterns: Tiny floral Liberty prints, paisleys, and artsy patterns drawn from a 150-year archive. No discussion of prints in UK fashion is complete without Liberty London. Famous for its Regent Street department store and its textile design legacy, Liberty has been a print powerhouse since the 19th century. In fact, Liberty’s printed fabrics are so iconic that “Liberty Print” is a term unto itself. The brand’s distinctive small-scale florals and paisleys have graced everything from royal dresses to rock stars’ shirts and today, they’re being rediscovered by new designers and brands through collaborations and vintage-inspired collections.
A Brief Heritage: Liberty began printing its own fabrics shortly after Arthur Lasen by Liberty opened his London shop in 1875. By the 1890s, Liberty textiles were renowned for avant-garde patterns influenced by Art Nouveau and exotic styles. Over the 20th century, Liberty became synonymous with delicate floral prints on fine cotton, notably its proprietary Tana Lawn™ cotton, developed in the 1930s, which offers a silky, high-thread-count base that makes colors incredibly vibrant. Classic Liberty floral motifs (like “Betsy” or “Wiltshire” patterns) feature dense fields of stylized flowers, often in offbeat color mixes. These prints achieved cult status Oscar Wilde was an early fan in the 1880s, and by the Swinging Sixties, Liberty florals were fashion statements for bohemians and rockers alike.
Today, Liberty’s archive is a national treasure: 45,000+ print designs dating back to the 1800s, meticulously preserved. This vast catalogue of blooms, paisleys, abstract art prints, and more provides endless inspiration. “Select Liberty prints are reworked and recolored interpretations of the brand’s heritage designs, giving them an updated feel,” notes one history of the company. In other words, the patterns your grandmother loved are continually tweaked to charm new generations.
Modern Renaissance: How is Liberty leading a print revival now? Partly through collaboration and ubiquity. Their fabrics are being used by contemporary womenswear brandsfor example, London-based label RIXO recently partnered with Liberty Fabrics to create exclusive new prints in honor of Liberty’s 150th anniversary. Niche designers like O Pioneers craft entire dress lines from Liberty’s ditsy florals, tapping into cottage core and vintage trends. Even high street retailers have done Liberty print collabs (Uniqlo’s annual Liberty collections come to mind), bringing these once-“old-fashioned” florals to a broad audience of young shoppers.
Liberty also produces its own womenswear range showcasing signature prints. Expect silk blouses covered in swirling Art Nouveau florals, tea dresses in archival 1920s tiny blooms, or scarves sporting the famed “Strawberry Thief” print (designed by William Morris in 1883, part of Liberty’s collection). Each season, Liberty’s in-house design team draws from the archive to develop new colorways and pattern mashups ensuring the prints feel both storied and fresh.
Styling Liberty Prints: There’s something quintessentially British about a Liberty florality evokes gardens, country houses, and a bit of whimsy. To avoid looking too prim, fashion editors suggest giving these sweet prints a twist. Style tips: - Pair a Liberty floral dress with edgy pieces like combat boots or a biker jacket for contrast. The tough-meets-sweet blend looks very London street style.
Mix scales and patterns in one outfit (a Liberty print blouse with a contrasting print skirt) if you’re bold pattern clashing is actually on-trend, as long as you stick to a complementary color scheme. - For a safer bet, use Liberty prints as an accent: a silk scarf tied to a handbag, a floral collar peeking from a sweater, or Liberty-print lining in a coat (a trick Burberry once used with Liberty fabrics) adds a pop of pattern without overwhelming.
Fabric Facts: True Liberty Tana Lawn cotton is beloved not just for its prints but for its feel “fine, cool, and durable with a silk-like touch, [allowing] brilliant reproduction of Liberty’s lustrous prints.” It’s a high-quality fabric that makes wearing bold prints more comfortable (especially in warmer months). Liberty also uses both traditional screen printing and cutting-edge digital printing techniques to achieve their vivid colors and intricate detail. That means whether it’s a reissued 1930s floral or a brand-new print, the quality is art-gallery level.
In sum, Liberty London is leading the print revival by doing what it has always done best: championing beautiful patterns. By opening its archives to new designers and keeping its own print library in continuous production, Liberty ensures that heritage prints (especially florals) remain a vibrant part of UK womenswear. When you slip on a Liberty-print dress or carry a tote in their classic peacock feather motif, you’re not just wearing a trend you're wearing a piece of British fashion history, made new again.
3. RIXO: Retro-Inspired Eclectic Prints
Signature Patterns: Hand-painted vintage-esque prints, blooming florals, polka dots, stars, and animal spots are often playfully clashed together.
London label RIXO has risen rapidly over the past decade by making prints of its hero. Founded in 2015 by friends Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey, RIXO from the start offered what the print-starved contemporary market craved: feminine, vintage-inspired dresses bursting with color and pattern. In an era when many brands were churning out minimal solids, RIXO’s printed silks felt like a breath of fresh air. It’s no wonder that RIXO has been called “the antidote” to minimalist dressing. Their pieces practically shout joy with their mix of motifs.
Print Palette: RIXO’s founders often paint the prints themselves, giving them an artisanal, one-of-a-kind feel. The brand’s signature motifs include 1930s-style florals, bold polka dots, tiny stars, quirky geometrics, and even animal prints sometimes all on one garment! “RIXO day dresses combine the silhouettes of yesteryear with its signature prints, including contrasting florals, polka dots, stars, and stripes,” notes one retailer. This fearless pattern-mixing (like a dress with half polka dot, half floral panels) has become a RIXO trademark. Far from looking chaotic, the prints are unified by a vintage color sensibility and flattering cuts. For example, a RIXO midi dress might feature a 1940s tea-dress silhouette with puff sleeves, rendered in a mashup of a delicate floral and a bold polka dot. On paper it sounds wild, but on the body it’s striking and chic.
Vintage Inspiration: Everything about RIXO screams retro revival in a good way. The brand often references the 1960s-70s in its patterns (think psychedelic blooms or groovy swirls), as well as classic polka dot and leopard prints that channel movie star glam. Their ethos aligns with the current love for thrifted and vintage prints, but RIXO makes them new. It helps that the brand uses quality materials like silk crepe, so the prints have a luxe drape. Over the years, RIXO has also delved into archive collaborations: most recently, they even worked with Liberty (as mentioned) to create exclusive prints merging RIXO’s style with Liberty’s heritage floral print lover’s dream team-up.
RIXO’s popularity has exploded, making it one of the UK’s buzziest young fashion brands (they celebrated their 10-year anniversary with a splashy London Fashion Week show in 2025). Part of this success is due to how wearable the prints really are. Despite the riot of pattern, RIXO dresses tend to be easy to style for multiple occasions and are beloved by celebrities and influencers for events or just everyday flair. Case in point: TV personality Cat Deeley was spotted in RIXO’s mixed-print dresses, showing that “florals and polka dots aren’t just for summer” but can brighten up an autumn look too.
Styling RIXO: These prints pack a punch, so let them be the focus. Style tips: - Keep accessories minimal and modern e.g., solid-color heels and a simple clutch when wearing a RIXO dress to a wedding, so the pattern really pops.
For casual outings, a printed RIXO blouse can be paired with jeans; the contrast of vintage print and denim is effortlessly cool. A City Floral silk RIXO blouse teamed with jeans and trainers makes florals feel urban (as one fashion editor noted, “pairs perfectly with blue jeans”). - Don’t be afraid to clash prints strategically: RIXO often does the work for you by combining prints in one piece, but you can extend the look. For example, if your RIXO skirt has a tiny star print, try adding a handbag or hair scarf in a clashing floral that shares a color tone. It will echo the brand’s own aesthetic of fearless mixing.
Ultimately, RIXO stands out in the print revival for making vintage patterns feel cool and youthful again. Their fans often talk about how putting on a RIXO dress makes them feel like they’ve found a unique vintage gem, yet the piece is brand-new and high quality. By championing everything from polka dots to zebra spots in vibrant colors, RIXO has encouraged other contemporary brands to play with prints. And as RIXO moves into its next decade, it’s doubling down; their latest collections continue to be “led by bold graphics,” proving that eye-catching prints are here to stay.
4. Vivienne Westwood: Punk Tartan and Historical Patterns Reimagined
Signature Patterns: Tartan plaids, traditional British tweeds and checks, often subverted with a punk attitude. Dame Vivienne Westwood is a British fashion legend who has been using prints and patterns as a form of rebellion and storytelling since the 1970s. If we’re talking about a print and pattern revival, Westwood deserves immense creditshe almost single-handedly revived tartan and Regency-era patterns in late 20th-century high fashion, giving them new irreverent life. Even today, the Westwood brand (after Vivienne’s passing in 2022) continues to build on her legacy of historical meets edgy, with tartan as a core code.
Tartan with a Twist: Tartan (plaid) is arguably Westwood’s most famous pattern. In her hands, tartan went from staid kilt cloth to subversive style statement. As Westwood once noted, “Every fabric that you look at England, which has a charge of content.” Tartan’s “content” is loaded: its tradition, rebellion, and British identity woven in wool. Westwood played with all those meanings. In her Autumn/Winter 1993 collection “Anglomania,” she sent models down the runway in exaggerated mashups of Scottish tartans and 18th-century French couture shapes. There were sharply tailored tartan suits worn alongside tartan mini kilts, topped with giant Tam o’Shanter hatsa wild juxtaposition of Highland
regalia and punk boldness. For this collection she even collaborated with Lochcarron of Scotland mill to design her own tartan, the “MacAndreas,” named after her husband, Andreas Kronthaler. That unique blue-green-red tartan was officially registered in Scotland’s books and has since become an iconic Westwood house pattern (often reissued, including in recent collections).
Westwood didn’t stop at one tartanshe continued inventing new ones (cheekily naming them “MacVivien,” “MacPoiret,” etc.) and using tartan in unorthodox ways. For instance, in a 1996 collection, she deliberately cut tartan fabric on the bias and mismatched plaids within one outfit, causing the stripes to clash and create visual tension. One critic quipped, “How many tartans can you work into one outfit? Viv managed at least a dozen.” This fearless tartan overload now inspires many younger designers to mix plaids or wear multiple checks at once. The current trend of styling a tartan blazer with a different tartan skirt, for example, echoes Westwood’s influence. Importantly, Westwood always approached historical patterns like tartan through a contemporary lens. “You can’t copy the past even when you try, you discover things from today,” she said. In practice, she would take an old motif and update ite.g., recently, the Westwood line evolved the original MacAndreas tartan by weaving it with neon yarns and even using the fabric’s “wrong side” outward for a modern twist. This keeps the pattern feeling alive.
Beyond Tartan: While tartan is her signature, Westwood also revitalized other traditional patterns: argyle knits (in twisted, oversized forms), Prince of Wales checks (in punky pink colors or chopped into asymmetrical garments), and even delicate rococo prints inspired by Georgian wallpapers (often seen in her Gold Label collections). She had a knack for taking what might be seen as “old English” or aristocratic patterns and making them provocative. For example, she once took a demure 18th-century-style pastoral print and cut it into a corset worn over a mini-skirt. The contrast between print and cut was pure Westwood.
Styling Westwood Patterns: Vivienne Westwood pieces are inherently statement-makers. But you can channel a bit of her style in everyday looks:
- Tartan skirts (a la Westwood) – Try a pleated tartan mini or midi skirt paired with edgy items. For instance, wear it with ripped black tights and chunky boots for a punk vibe (an idea Westwood herself would applaud). A vintage-inspired tartan skirt with ripped tights adds a “juxtaposition of sophistication and rocker chic,” as one fashion writer noted. Throw on a moto jacket, and you’ve got an instant punk-princess ensemble.
For a twist on ladylike, take a Prince of Wales check blazer and add an enamel pin or brooch that’s a bit irreverent (Westwood’s own orb logo pin, perhaps). Mix checkered tailoring with a graphic tee and jeans to dress it down and skew cool.
Don’t shy from pattern-on-pattern. Westwood’s styling secret was often to clash with confidence. You could wear a tartan jacket and a plaid scarf in a different tartan it looks intentional if the color families complement. If you have multiple plaid pieces, try layering them (e.g., a tartan corset belt over a plaid dress) for a street-style-worthy look.
At its core, Vivienne Westwood’s use of prints teaches us that patterns have attitude. A prim tweed or plaid can become avant-garde or rebellious depending on how it’s cut and worn. Her legacy in the current revival is evident: every time you see a high-street store selling a tartan mini-skirt or fashionistas layering checks, there’s a bit of Westwood’s DNA there. As she once said, “I can’t help using these fabrics that had a purpose and a story. They’re so terribly attractive.” In bringing those stories into modern fashion, Westwood paved the way for patterns to be cool, countercultural, and utterly compelling again.
5. Burberry: The Iconic Check Finds New Cool
Signature Pattern: The beige, black, red, and white Burberry check (aka the “Nova check”), plus related plaid and houndstooth variations. When it comes to British brands built on a single pattern, Burberry tops the list. The luxury house’s camel-colored check pattern is recognized world wide it’s as much a symbol of British fashion as the trench coat that traditionally bore it. But the Burberry check has had its share of ups and downs: wildly popular, then overexposed and out of favor, and now (thanks to creative revamps) enjoying a new wave of popularity among the fashion-forward. That journey of the Burberry check perfectly encapsulates the idea of a pattern revival.
Heritage of the Check: Burberry introduced its check in the 1920s as a lining for their classic trench coats. The simple tartana tan-beige base with intersecting black, white, and red stripes was originally hidden inside coats, a subtle flash of brand identity. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the company started using the check externally, spurred by a Paris store manager who draped the lining fabric over luggage and umbrellas, which customers loved. Thus the Burberry check scarf, umbrella, and cap were born, and the pattern quickly became synonymous with British luxury and weatherproof style.
For decades, the Burberry check (often called “Nova check”) was a status symbol think Princess Diana’s coat linings or a well-heeled London banker’s scarf. By the 1990s, however, its ubiquity grew: everyone from celebrities to hip-hop artists to Footballers’ Wives was flaunting the plaid. Burberry’s sales soared… until they didn’t. Trouble hit in the early 2000s when the check became too popular, spawning knock-offs and earning a “chav” stereotype in the UK (it was associated with flashy displays and even hooliganism due to counterfeit caps). The market was flooded with cheap imitations; the pattern’s prestige took a hit. In response, Burberry actually pulled back on using its signature check for a few years to restore exclusivity, a bold move for a brand to sideline its own trademark pattern.
The Revival: Fast-forward to the late 2010s and 2020s, and the Burberry check is back in a big way but not exactly as your granddad’s scarf. The brand’s creative directors have cleverly reimagined the check for a new era:
Under Christopher Bailey (2000s-2018) and later Riccardo Tisci (2018-2022), Burberry experimented with scale and context. Tisci in particular gave the check “a rebellious cool,” even doing a collaboration with Vivienne Westwood in 2018 that saw Westwood’s punk spirit meet Burberry’s plaid. He also introduced streetwear elements, putting the check on puffer jackets, sneakers, and baseball caps aimed at younger consumers. The pattern showed up in unusual color combos and was layered with graphic logos reclaiming it from counterfeit cliché and making it fashion-forward again. - Now under Daniel Lee (who took the creative helm in 2023), the pattern is being twisted even more. Lee has set the classic check “on the bias” (rotating it 45 degrees into a diamond grid) and played with “new colorways and fabrications.” Recent collections have shown the check in rich blues, purples, and oversize proportions, and even woven into fuzzy knits and faux fur. By doing so, Lee pays homage to the heritage pattern but also aligns it with contemporary tastes for bold, ironic takes on logos and plaid. One season he notably omitted the beige check entirely on the runway (to surprise expectations) and then brought it back in refreshed forms the next. The result? The Burberry check feels coveted and stylish once more not just a tired British cliché. Fashion Law observed in 2025 that by “realigning the brand with its heritage, legacy, and distinctive British charm,” Burberry’s new leadership is “laying the groundwork for [a] revival,” giving the brand a fresh sense of optimism.
How to Wear It Now: If you have some Burberry check in your closet (or one of the many lookalike checks out there), now’s the time to flaunt it proudly. But style it with a twist: - Less is More: The check is bold, so often one statement piece is enough. A classic approach is to use one Burberry check item per outfit e.g., a scarf, a skirt, or a coat and keep the rest neutral. “Pick one statement piece with the Burberry check and combine it with a neutral color,” advises one styling guide. For instance, drape the iconic Burberry scarf over a black cashmere sweater and camel coat for an elegant winter look. The neutrals will make the scarf pop.
High-Low Mix: Alternatively, embrace the pattern’s streetwear resurgence. Pair a vintage Burberry nova-check pleated skirt with a relaxed hoodie or band T-shirt to tone down its formality (a look seen on stylish Londoners). Throw on trainers, and it’s an Instagrammable outfit. This contrast/luxury plaid vs. casual basics looks intentional and cool. In fact, the 90s-redux trend of mini kilts with chunky shoes can be traced to that Clueless-inspired check skirt moment, which is back now.
Pattern Play: If you’re daring, you can even clash checks. Burberry’s new collections have layered multiple plaid types in one ensemble. You might wear the traditional check coat with a different tartan scarf that can work if one is more subdued in color. The pattern-on-pattern effect, once a faux pas, is now fashion-forward when done confidently.
Finally, one can’t forget accessories. The Burberry check bag (tote or camera bag) has become a sought-after item for Gen Z after celebs started carrying vintage ones. And the check baseball cap or bucket hat are trendy nods to Y2K stylegreat with an otherwise simple outfit. The key to the revival is owning it with confidence. The Burberry check no longer whispers “old guard”; styled right, it shouts Britain-cool. And as Burberry has learned, protecting and evolving that famous pattern is crucial they fiercely police
knockoffs to maintain its prestige. So when you wear the real deal, you’re part of a storied lineage. In 2025, Burberry’s check is again a badge of style savvy, proving that even the most classic pattern can come full circle with a little reinvention.
6. Erdem: Romantic Florals with Historic Roots
Signature Patterns: Lush, dark florals and botanical prints often inspired by art, historical textiles, and archive florals reimagined. For fans of florals who find typical ditsy prints too saccharine, Erdem Moralıoğlu’s designs are a revelation. The London-based designer (whose label ERDEM launched in 2005) has built an international reputation on romantic floral prints that are anything but old-fashioned. His creations often look like wild English gardens at midnightmoody, artistic, and richly detailed. Erdem’s mastery of print lies in how he draws from the past (vintage patterns, historic women’s wardrobes, even museum archives) to create something timeless yet utterly of-the-moment.
Florals Year-Round: Erdem is “revered for his use of exquisite flower-printed textiles year-round,” as one fashion writer notes. Indeed, while many designers restrict florals to spring, Erdem unapologetically uses them in autumn/winter as well, adapting the mood with deeper color palettes and bolder contrasts. Common motifs include blowsy English roses, trailing vines, lilies, and wildflower blooms, often set against dark backgrounds (navy, black, or emerald) for drama. These prints frequently have a hand-painted quality and large scale, giving them a fine-art feel on the fabric. They are printed on luxurious materials like silk organza, satin, or taffeta, enhancing the sense of romance.
Archive Inspiration: What makes Erdem’s florals special is the narrative behind them. He often looks to historical references or real-life muses. For example, his Spring/Summer 2024 collection was inspired by Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire (a Mitford sister), and even incorporated archival floral chintz fabrics from Chatsworth House (Deborah’s home) into garment linings and patchwork coats. According to a Farfetch release, that collection featured “archival prints” and was “an embodiment of [Debo’s] spirit,” examining heritage and identity. This illustrates Erdem’s approach: he doesn’t just copy a vintage print; he tells a story through it. One might find that a particular Erdem dress print came from a 19th-century wallpaper or a forgotten textile in a museum archive, reinterpreted and recolored. In 2018, Erdem even staged an exhibition at London’s V&A Museum featuring archival curtains with floral prints that inspired his designs, literally pulling decor fabrics into high fashion.
Erdem also loves referencing specific historical women and their styles. He’s cited figures like Victorian era royalty or early 20th-century intellectuals as muses. Their influence might appear via a print drawn from a vintage gown in a portrait or a flower that had symbolic meaning. It’s this depth that gives Erdem’s florals a certain gravitas; they’re pretty, yes, but also layered with context and melancholy. No wonder his work is described as “mysterious, romantic florals.”
Modern Edge: Lest this sound too antique, note that Erdem balances it with modernity. The silhouettes can be very contemporary (like a sharp-shouldered gown in a wallpaper rose print), and he’s not afraid of bold color contrasts. He’s done florals spliced with leopard print accents and has printed on unconventional fabrics (foil, sequins) to give florals new texture. He even collaborated with British heritage brand Barbour in 2024, splashing Erdem’s inky floral prints onto utilitarian waxed jackets. The Beauflower jacket from that collab, for instance, featured Barbour’s hardy style embellished with *“Erdem’s signature inky rose-bloom overprint.” The marriage of pastoral floral and outdoorsy waxed cotton was unexpected and wildly successful, bringing florals into countryside-casual wear. Styling Erdem-esque Florals: To channel Erdem’s vibe in your own outfits, think romantic meets edgy.
Style tips:
Evening Glam: Erdem’s dark florals are perfect for events. If you have a statement floral dress (especially one with a black base and vibrant flowers), lean into its drama. Style with elegant heels and perhaps a vintage-inspired accessory (like drop pearl earrings or a bejeweled hairclip) to accentuate the romantic tone. A bold red lip can pick up a color from the print’s roses, for example, tying it together.
Daytime Contrast: To make florals winter-ready or city-cool, pair a feminine floral piece with a structured, masculine layer. For instance, toss a tailored blazer (even plaid or tweed) over a flowing floral midi dress the structure tempers the sweetness, just as Erdem might do by adding a military-style coat over a gown on the runway. Ankle boots or brogues can also ground a floral dress for daytime.
Pattern Mix: Erdem isn’t afraid to mix patterns (recall the leopard touches or patchwork chintz). You can try something similar in a subtle way: wear a floral blouse with polka-dot tights or a striped knit under a floral slip dress. The key is ensuring one print is dominant (floral) and the other is an accent in a shared color. This creates a rich, editorial look.
Erdem’s leadership in the print revival lies in championing florals not as cliché “spring prints,” but as sophisticated, seasonless expressions of art and history. His approach has certainly trickled downmany high-street brands now offer “dark floral” dresses for fall, and archive-inspired prints are a mini trend thanks to designers like him. If you adore florals but want something beyond the basic garden party dress, look to Erdem’s style for inspiration on how to do florals with depth. As his success shows, when handled creatively, florals can be just as avant-garde as any abstract print and eternally enchanting.
7. Mary Katrantzou: The Digital Print Revolution
Signature Patterns: Hyper-realistic digital prints from trompe-l’œil objets d’art to elaborate thematic collages often engineered to the garment’s shape. Dubbed the “Queen of Print” in the 2010s, Mary Katrantzou put bold prints at the heart of her design philosophy in a way few had before. This Greek-born, London-based designer exploded onto the scene with her Central Saint Martins graduation collection in 2008, which featured mind-bending trompe-l’œil prints of giant jewelry pieces printed on dresses. It was fresh, surreal, and utterly mesmerizing and it signaled a new era of what prints could do in fashion.
Pioneering Digital Prints: Katrantzou emerged just as digital textile printing technology was advancing, and she embraced it fully. Traditional screen-printing had limitations in color and complexity, but digital printing allowed her to splash photographs and intricate art across entire garments. Her early collections featured prints of everyday luxury objects (perfume bottles, gemstones, and ornate interiors) blown up and strategically placed on garments to flatter the bodyfor example, a print of a perfume bottle might be centered so that the bottle’s shape formed the torso of the dress, creating a whimsical optical illusion. These “trompe-l’œil placement-printed perfume bottles and architectural photo prints” earned her instant acclaim.
Critics and buyers were astonished: here were dresses that were literally wearable art canvases, thanks to Katrantzou’s imaginative use of digital print. She showed that “print can be as definitive as a cut or a drape” in defining a silhouette. In other words, the print was the design. This concept revolutionized thinking in the industry, soon many other designers began experimenting with digital prints (think of the wave of galaxy prints, photo-real landscapes, etc., in the early 2010s, much of it attributable to the trail Katrantzou blazed).
Motifs and Themes: Mary’s prints are often thematic and story-driven. One season she might be inspired by postage stamps and banknotes, collaging their intricate emblems and borders into a print; another season it could be sea life or 18th-century portraits. She has printed oversized typewriters, Fabergé eggs, shoe silhouettes, you name it across garments, treating the dress like a poster board for fantastical imagery. A hallmark is that the prints are engineered meaning placed with intention to complement the pattern pieces of the dress (sleeves, bodice, skirt panels), not just random all-over repeats. This requires tremendous precision in design and cutting.
Mary Katrantzou’s work also melded technology with craftsmanship. She famously said her collections “create a symbiosis between the world of digital technology and traditional craftsmanship,” allowing her to make “surrealism out of realism.” For instance, she might digitally print a complex pattern, then overlay it with hand embroidery or beading to add a 3D element. This mix keeps her work from feeling cold or purely computer-made; there’s always an artisanal touch.
Impact and Evolution: Over a decade, Mary’s influence was huge, she inspired both high fashion and high street to be bolder with prints. High-street retailers produced Katrantzou-esque photo prints on everything from dresses to leggings (remember the craze for cityscape prints or animal faces on clothing? A lot of that traces back to the print fever she ignited. She collaborated on accessible lines.
(Topshop famously, and others) bringing her aesthetic to a broader audience. The press labeled her the “doyenne of digital prints,” and indeed she changed the trajectory of 21st-century fashion print. In later years, Katrantzou continued to evolve, even embracing more monochrome or texture in some collections to avoid being pigeonholed. But prints remain her legacy. Celebrating her 10th year, she reflected on vast bodies of work that had “no ocean too deep, no mountain too high” in terms of creative print exploration from interiors of palaces to microscopic creatures, nothing was off-limits as a potential print. Her work was exhibited in museums (the Dallas Contemporary’s 2018 “Mary, Queen of Prints” exhibit paid tribute to her revolutionary print artistry).
How to Wear Bold Digital Prints: Katrantzou-level prints are not for wallflowers, but they’re incredibly fun. Here’s how one might style these conversation pieces: - Let the print be the focus. If you have a garment with a big digital print (say a skirt with a scenic print or a top with a giant graphic), keep other pieces solid and simple. This is one instance where matching a color from the print for your accessory or shoe can work well, but avoid additional patterns that compete. The goal is to look like an art installation, not a scrapbook. - If you own one of Katrantzou’s collaborative pieces or similar styles, wear it with confidence and minimal extras. For example, a Katrantzou x Adidas printed sweatshirt can be paired with black skinny jeans and ankle bootsan easy outfit, and the sweatshirt does all the talking. - For evening, a fully printed dress in her style is a showstopper. You can amplify it by picking one hue from the print and echoing it in your shoes or clutch. Because the prints often have depth and shading, a metallic accessory (silver or gold) also complements nicely, playing off the visual richness.
Above all, wear such prints with confidence. Mary Katrantzou’s designs taught a generation that fashion can be like wearing a painting, empowering and expressive. In the context of today’s revival, while others brought back vintage florals or plaid, Katrantzou brought back maximalism in print, the idea that a dress can literally contain a whole world of imagery. As she proved and a Texintel article noted, her success showed young designers that one can “let your ideas flow” and that prints open “a huge spectrum of possibility.” The ripple effect means we now see more daring prints on the runway (from landscape prints at Dries Van Noten to comic prints at Louis Vuitton), and consumers have become more adventurous with patterns. So if you’re wearing a bold digital print, know that you’re part of that fearless spirit. Katrantzou championed a loud, proud movement against the plain and mundane.
8. Kemi Telford: Bold Prints with Global Flair for Everyday Wear
Signature Patterns: African-inspired wax prints, vibrant abstract motifs, and colorful florals in bold, empowering silhouettes.
Rounding out the list is Kemi Telford, a newer independent brand proving that the print revival isn’t just happening on the runways it's alive on the streets and Instagram feeds of the UK too. Founded by Yvonne Modupe Telford (whose middle name, “Oluwakemi,” gives the brand its name), Kemi Telford offers “bold, thoughtfully crafted fashion” designed in limited quantities. Her pieces are immediately recognizable: exuberant prints (often drawing on West African wax print designs) combined with easy, modern shapes. In a way, Kemi Telford bridges cultures and eras marrying the celebratory color of African textiles with vintage-inspired silhouettes like full midi skirts and smocked dresses to create garments that make the wearer feel seen and fabulous.
Bold & Proud Prints: Kemi Telford doesn’t do shy. The brand’s dresses and skirts come in eye-popping hues, sunshine yellow, cobalt, and fuchsia and large-scale patterns. Commonly, Telford uses African wax prints, which are cotton fabrics printed with batik-inspired methods, known for their bold geometric and floral motifs and crackled texture. These prints often have meaningful names and stories in West African culture. By incorporating them, Kemi Telford brings a slice of Nigerian heritage (Yvonne’s country of birth) into UK fashion. One skirt might feature swirling turquoise and red abstract shapes; a dress might sport a repeating pattern of stylized flowers in orange and navy. The brand also plays with polka dots, stripes, and brushstroke abstracts, but always with an ultra-saturated color approach. As a stockist put it, “Her unique designs blend bold prints and loud color mixes with elegant shapes and exaggerated feminine silhouettes.” That sums it up: the prints are loud, and the shapes are classic but with a twist (think nipped waists, flared midi hemlines, and puff sleeves silhouettes that celebrate a woman’s body and movement).
Wearable Statements: Despite the high-impact visuals, Kemi Telford’s clothes are very wearable day-to-day. They’re usually made of breathable 100% cotton, often with practical features like pockets (hooray!). The idea is that these bold prints aren’t reserved for special occasions; they can brighten up your Monday at the office or a weekend park stroll just as well. The brand often notes how versatile the pieces are: “They are highly wearable and look just as fabulous with a pair of party heels as they do with white pumps,” one review states. For instance, their signature gathered midi skirts (often an 8-panel full circle design) can be paired with a simple T-shirt and flats for errands or dressed up with a blouse and heels for a dinner. Kemi Telford shows that statement prints can be part of an everyday uniform, not just a one-off “daring” item.
There’s also a conscious ethos: by doing limited runs, the brand avoids waste and keeps the designs unique. When you wear Kemi Telford, you’re likely not going to see five others in the same dress at the party, a bonus for those who love individual style. Yvonne Telford often speaks about how her designs are about empowerment and telling one’s own story. “I am the storyteller; Kemi Telford is a brand that tells stories,” she says. Indeed, many prints are chosen because they spoke to her or represented something joyful and fearless. This positive energy radiates from the clothes to the wearer.
Styling Kemi Telford Prints: The brand’s Instagram often showcases great styling ideas. The key is to let the prints shine while grounding them just enough: - Keep Tops or Bottoms. Simple: If you’re wearing a Kemi Telford printed skirt (say a glorious yellow and blue African print), balance it with a neutral or solid-colored top. A white button-down shirt or a black fitted tee will make the skirt the star. Conversely, if you don one of her printed blouses, pair it with classic denim or a solid trouser. This way, you get that bold style without overwhelming the eye. - Casual Mix: Don’t hesitate to mix high and low. Throw a denim jacket over a voluminous Kemi Telford dress and add sneakers suddenly the ultra-feminine print dress becomes quirky streetwear. The brand’s own fans often style the tiered print maxi dresses with white trainers or sandals for an effortless vibe. - Accessorize Playfully: These prints practically beg for fun accessories. You could echo a color from the print in your earrings or hairband. That said, since the clothing prints are bold, you might skip very busy patterned accessories to avoid clashing. Instead, opt for textured straw hat or woven bag pairs great with vibrant prints and adds a neutral touch while keeping the look interesting.
Kemi Telford’s inclusion in this list highlights how diverse influences are enriching the UK print revival. It’s not only about British heritage patterns; it’s also about multiculturalism and personal expression. African wax prints have a long, rich history and are now being embraced in Western fashion more than ever from high fashion runways to grassroots labels like this. By bringing those prints into contemporary cuts, Kemi Telford invites women of all backgrounds to enjoy them. The result is a joyous celebration of color and culture, perfectly timed with the broader return to maximalist fashion. If you’re someone who has lived in neutrals and wants to dip a toe (or whole foot) into prints, a brand like Kemi Telford might just give you the confidence as their tagline suggests, these clothes “make women feel seen.” And being seen, brightly and unapologetically, is what the print revival is all about.
Conclusion: Embrace the Patterned Moment
From Timeless London’s vintage redux prints to Burberry’s reimagined check and Kemi Telford’s vibrant wax cottons, it’s clear that prints and patterns are enjoying a glorious renaissance in UK womenswear. Each of the 8 brands above leads the revival in its own way be it through historical homage, technological innovation, or cultural fusion but they all arrive at the same message: fashion is more fun with prints!
For a while, many of us played it safe with solids and muted palettes. But as these brands show, injecting some pattern into your outfit can elevate your style instantly. A tartan skirt or a floral dress isn’t just a garment; it’s a story of heritage, of mood, of personality. The UK has a particularly rich relationship with prints (we’ve produced everything from Liberty florals to punk plaid to digital art couture), so it’s only fitting that British brands are at the forefront of bringing patterns back.
If you’re feeling inspired to join the print revival, take cues from the styling tips we’ve gathered: - Start with one statement print piece and build around it with neutral basics. - Mix prints if you’re bold, but stick to a unifying color scheme or play with scale (large florals paired with tiny polka dots, for example). - Most importantly, wear it with confidence. As Dame Vivienne Westwood demonstrated, rocking a wild pattern is about attitude as much as clothing.
Check out the Timeless London collection today, whether your taste runs classic (perhaps a timeless London-inspired check) or eclectic (a clash of vintage blooms and dots via RIXO), there’s a print out there calling your name. In fashion, everything comes back around and right now, it’s prints and patterns taking their turn in the spotlight. These 8 leading brands are proof that in the UK, the pattern party is in full swing. So pull out that printed piece (or treat yourself to a new one), and relish the revival, it's time to wear your story in full color and pattern.
