The first time I saw and met D. Bryant Archie was at a panel discussion at the D&D Building in New York last month.  Brad Ford was singing praises over her fine 100% alpaca throws, and I looked over to find a great beauty whose presence was the picture of elegant creativity.  Later, I bumped into her when I got on the wrong elevator, then again as I was getting off of the correct elevator, and I realized that fate was telling me that I had to introduce myself!

After spending the first years of her working life learning the intricacies of editorial work, design marketing and distribution, D. Bryant left for her honeymoon to Morocco and discovered the surprise that would change her life… gorgeous and exotic blankets.  After much research and continued passion and dedication, D. Bryant now provides the design world with lusciously woven pillows and throws made in Peru in keeping with the hand-looming traditions of the region.  ’Inspired’ only scratches the surface of describing the designs that draw from indigenous influences from around the world.  These textiles appear to have roots that reach back into the histories of each and every person who runs their hands over them.  This feeling goes well with D. Bryant’s strong family history reaching back to rural North Carolina, where she still feels a direct connection with her family’s land.

If you are in New York for the Architectural Digest Home Design Show March 18 – 21, you can see her work firsthand at Pier 94.

For this Creatives Cook we are brought into the fabric of what drives this fantastic creative professional to create and share!

Textiles designer D. Bryant Archie

Your life seems to have been a serendipitous chain of experiences that led you to creating your company. Can you tell us about that?

I grew up loving to draw, paint, dance, act out scenes from my favorite shows,… And almost every weekend would spend hours in local consignment shops looking for interesting clothes courtesy of a chauffeuring dad, and hunting one tag sale to the next with my mom. It was about the fabric. I didn’t know why I was so attracted to old fabrics. My heart would flutter at the sight of a great color, texture or shape. In the end, I didn’t study art in college and the thought of textile design never came to mind.

Instead, I was encouraged to pursue a corporate job like my parents. But it didn’t sit well with me seeing how hard they worked with little time left to simply be and pursue their passions.

I found a part-time editorial job at a small trade magazine during the college semesters and started there full-time upon graduation. Writing provided a creative forum for expression. Next during the next two years at deSede of Switzerland, I felt the excitement working with colorful, avant-garde, contemporary leather furniture. At the same time it gave me an understanding of the business and operational structure behind the scenes. But by far it was working with the great weaver, textile designer and color genius Elizabeth Eakins that ignited the spark inside me. I helped launch her first fabric collection.  Here I soaked in the process of creating something so beautiful, with a sense of place and history tempered by the reality of what sells in the market.

When I moved to be closer to my fiancé, the principals at John Rosselli – where Elizabeth’s fabrics launched first – offered me a job at their shop in DC. At Rosselli’s I gained an ‘education in taste’ working with antiques, reproductions, furniture, fabrics, lighting and rugs and how they all come together in a room. Even so, it became clear that with the distance from textile development, designing textiles was my passion and I had to get back to it.

Now I felt through time and experience I had a unique point of view and something to share. But rugs and fabrics were a little too large a scale for me to start with. On my honeymoon in Morocco, I discovered the most beautifully colored fabrics and blankets. One early morning in Marrakech, I literally woke up from a dream with the idea I could begin with blankets. They’re practical. I could start at home with full creative license to dream and design.  It made sense to me. And happily my husband agreed.

What is it about your work that speaks most directly to you?

My work brings together several things that ignite and inspire me.  Designing a blanket provides a medium for the beauty of the two-dimensional – a painting or drawing – and the 3-dimensional, a tactile and tangible piece of art to be interacted with. My designs are very strongly informed and inspired by the indigenous – cultures, peoples, nature – as well as fashion, excitement in what’s relevant in a changing world – unexpected color, the drape, movement. Finally I love that Peru and its people, alpaca and landscape provide the perfect sense of place to bring the designs to life. A sense of place and history.  Reoccurring themes.

What do you want people to feel when they first see your textiles?

Ideally, what I just explained but in balance with their own cultural background, life experiences and unique sense of beauty. Many people have said one or more of the blankets reminded them of their country, a color or pattern from growing up – many times a place I’ve never visited. I find that fascinating.

You are obviously very passionate about your work.  What are your other passions in life?

Most of my personal time is spent reading about or looking at fashion, interiors, architecture, indigenous clothing, and jewelry. Vintage clothing shops in the city, consignment shops and tag sales in Connecticut.  I also love music – my husband has an amazing record collection – which we’ve played for my daughter even before she was born. I love seeing her light up in movement when she hears a tune she likes.

My daughter is my greatest passion. I want to show her dreams can come true.

How do they translate into your work?

As a design enthusiast all of these passions directly inspire my work.

But the most significant translation is how I can inspire my daughter through my work. Maybe this is just another dream of mine. She’s only 17 months and may turn out to be a science or math genius. But it’s really about empowering her to believe in her dreams. And to make a living doing what she loves.  Seeing her do that one-day will give me the greatest feeling of success, the most meaningful translation of my work.

What are your other creative outlets?

Simple things like going out dancing with my husband or seeing a film that gets under my skin and allows me to feel and escape to another point of view.  Really almost anything that evokes emotion.

Also dance. From African, to Flamenco to Modern. Whether it’s me doing it or seeing a performance.

Do you entertain and/or cook often?

I used to entertain a few times a month back in the good ol’ days of a large, three-bedroom row house in DC.  Now in a small apartment in New York City, we’re back to basics, less often, hosting intimate get-togethers.

I love potlucks. The sight of a long table, roaring laughter mixed with funny antidotes, candlelight, and the warmth of familiar friends sharing good food family style. In DC with most of us living away from relatives, we called it our urban family.

What is your entertaining philosophy? Did you grow up seeing this philosophy in action or did you develop it over time?

I’ve developed my ‘entertaining voice’ over time.  Relaxed, informal, comfortable presented with flair.  An inviting table setting, layered textiles and natural materials like wooden serving pieces and decorative accents. Something that looks effortless and easy. Basic white or earth-toned dishes. Utilitarian, minimalist flatware. Easy-going yet thoughtful with a bit of unexpected thrown in.

What is your favorite recipe?

My absolute favorites tend to be made by someone else like my grandma’s blueberry-peach pie or my sister’s mac ‘n cheese.

I love to make family style meals. The latest is usually my favorite of the moment. I’m fickle. This dish and salad were the latest hits.

Chicken Sausage Stir Fry over Cilantro Brown Rice

1 lb.   sun-dried tomato chicken sausage

¾ lb.   chopped fingerling potatoes

1 cup   shredded carrots

1 cup   red cabbage

¼ cup   red onion

1 tbsp  scallions

2 tsp   sea salt

½ tsp   dried thyme

1 tsp   cracked black pepper

1 tbsp  olive oil

2 tbsp  teriyaki sauce

1 tbsp  soy sauce

1 ½ cup brown rice

2 tbsp  cilantro chutney

Empty sausage from its casing into a pan and brown in olive oil and red onion. Add dried thyme and a pinch of sea salt.

Boil potatoes in cilantro chutney, a pinch of salt and 3 cups of water. When rice is done, add potatoes, cabbage, carrots and simmer for 3-5 minutes. Cabbage and carrots are al dente. Add soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, black pepper, scallions and sea salt to taste. Serve piping hot over rice.

Fennel and Grapefruit Salad

3 cups  Organic heirloom lettuce

1 cup  chopped fennel

½ red grapefruit, membranes only

1 tbsp  olive oil

2 tbsp  rice wine vinegar

sea salt

cracked black pepper

Mix lettuce, fennel and grapefruit in a large bowl.  Add olive oil, vinegar, sea salt and black pepper to taste. Great as a first course or paired family style with the main dish.

Do you have a special story or memory that goes along with this dish?

This dish congers our last potluck with friends.  We achieved my ideal vision: dim candlelight, a loud, boisterous group around a long wooden table. Textiles layered under a mix of ironstone plates and wooden bowls. My daughter being passed among all the “aunties”. An earthy, warm feeling of close friends getting together and catching up. Lovely chaos and chatter.

Thanks so much for sharing with us! Visit D. Bryant Archie’s web site at www.dbryantarchie.com.