About Us
Blackpop are a high-end independent design company specialising in elegantly distressed homeware and accessories, including wallpaper, fabric, upholstered furniture and exquisite hand woven rugs.
The company prides itself on its ability to weave its rich, British heritage into every design and boasts a history of successful collaborations with a number of prestigious British institutions, including the National Portrait Gallery and Sir John Soanes Museum. Blackpop designs have recently been proudly accessioned into the archives at the iconic V&A Museum.
Designed in Derbyshire and manufactured in the UK, Blackpop's products are of the highest quality with a design DNA that exists no where else. Proud of it's artisan heritage and its roots in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales, Blackpop are part of a growing renaissance of indepedent businesses that are helping to develop and sustain rural communities.
“Blackpop has designed a range that is nothing short of breathtaking. While they look like they could have been stripped from the walls of stately homes, there is something uniquely modern and fresh about them too.”
The Design Lover
Since its launch in 2013 Blackpop has grown into one of the UK's most individually styled and respected design labels. Over those years we've collaborated with many inspiring clients and exciting projects. We thought it would be nice to introduce you to our studio and showroom based team.
MAXINE HALL Design Director
Maxine is the founder of Blackpop and its Design Director. She worked as a hairstylist to the stars from the age of 15-28 and in 1989 returned to education at the University of Westminster, where she studied for a BA in Film, Photography and Video later followed by an MA in Creative Media. From there she became fluent in coding/web design and digital illustration. Her next incarnation was to become a lecturer in Digital media. Alternative design has always been Maxine's forte. Aged 13 she decorated her bedroom walls in newspaper, as expected from someone whose icon is the legendary Patti Smith.
Maxine excels in blending historical imagery with abstract mark-making to create contemporary wallpapers and fabrics full of tonal range, intricate patterns and opulent textures. Her unique designs exude an edgy punk-like take on the past, drawing on inspiration as eclectic as Tudor portraits, Abstract Artists, and the rhythm of Jazz.
PAULA MOSS Studio Director
Paula was born in Nottingham, along with the likes of her screen crush Vicky McClure. She has a passion for disco dancing [ having once trained in classical ballet] and never refuses a cup of tea. As a teenager she decided to switch her creative path to photography, eventually graduating from the University of Derby and working freelance for over 25 years. Paula's [not so secret] guilty pleasure is watching any kind of detective series - in fact Vera has nothing on her powers of detection and her rediculous attention to detail!
Paula designed her first work for Blackpop as part of the acclaimed 'Paradise' Collection, which launched in 2019 and took its inspiration from the epic gothic poem 'Paradise Lost' by John Milton. It is with all this creative energy, focus and organisational experience, that she now directs at Blackpop.
Lily Wilson Caines Studio Manager
Lily is Blackpop's multi-skilled Head of Studio. As well as being creative and brilliantly organised, she is extremely musically gifted, having studied classical saxophone at The Royal Northern College of Music. Lily is super heathy and in her spare time she runs, cycles and walks in the Peak District. She enjoys intimate gigs - her favourite being a folk night in Zennor, Cornwall. Ooh and she’s a fantastic cook!
Sarah Reynolds Social Media
Sarah is a proud Yorkshire lass and our social media wiz. Sarah had a jewellery workshop in Birmingham's famous jewellery quarter and later worked as a visual merchandiser. Sarah has been an Interior Designer for ten years and has recently helped Davina McCall choose a wallpaper for her downstairs loo! She is a lover of cheese and growing up just wanted a breakfast bar and saloon doors. Sarah's 'super power' would be her incredible ability to match paint colours to any wallpaper!
Portraits by Chris Webb
WALLPAPER AND FABRIC COLLECTIONS
'Collectors'
Blackpop has undoubtedly created its most opulent & dramatic work to date working in collaboration with the Sir John Soane's Museum. Directly reworking architects’ drawings, paintings and objects d'art, the 'Collectors' Collection consists of 5 wallpaper designs, 4 fabric designs and 2 hand woven rugs, each with its own story to tell.
‘Homage’
This painterly, deeply textured set of designs inspired by the New York Abstract Expressionist movement of the 40’s and 50’s are available in new wide widths. Pairs of designs mirror each other - one is an orgy of randomly splashed colour whilst the other is made by dripping paint, creating dark mysterious paths that lead to nowhere. Wallpapers and fabrics may be paired together to create jaw dropping interior statements. Maxine, Blackpop’s designer says she ‘sees walls as empty canvases waiting to be brought to life’.
The Tudors – Deconstructed
This exciting collection was made in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery by reworking their world renowned Tudor Portraits. Maxine's digital pallet was made up of hi res photographic and X-Ray Imagery taken from the Mary Tudor, Elizabeth 1st and Henry V111 portraits. This incredible mix of 16th century brush strokes and Maxine's digital pallet resulted in a range that oozes tradition and abstract mark-making, and celebrates the unexpected bright pigments of the era. Video shot at the National Portrait Gallery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM_pSPR3mzk
This painterly, deeply textured set of designs inspired by the New York Abstract Expressionist movement of the 40’s and 50’s are available in new wide widths. Pairs of designs mirror each other - one is an orgy of randomly splashed colour whilst the other is made by dripping paint, creating dark mysterious paths that lead to nowhere. Wallpapers and fabrics may be paired together to create jaw dropping interior statements. Maxine, Blackpop’s designer says she ‘sees walls as empty canvases waiting to be brought to life’.
The Tudors – Deconstructed
This exciting collection was made in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery by reworking their world renowned Tudor Portraits. Maxine's digital pallet was made up of hi res photographic and X-Ray Imagery taken from the Mary Tudor, Elizabeth 1st and Henry V111 portraits. This incredible mix of 16th century brush strokes and Maxine's digital pallet resulted in a range that oozes tradition and abstract mark-making, and celebrates the unexpected bright pigments of the era. Video shot at the National Portrait Gallery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM_pSPR3mzk
The Vintage Inspired Collection
Blackpop’s first range took reference from many visits to stately homes such as Chatsworth House. The collection subtly and strikingly evokes the rich tapestry of the past, we describe it as elegantly distressed!
MADE IN THE UK
Blackpop are proud to be based in Derbyshire, and care passionately about their client service and the quality of their products. They are committed to using the skill set and experience of local printers and crafts people.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
2022: Blackpop inducted into the archives at the iconic V&A Museum, London.
2016: 'Best Licensed Product' Award - Association For Cultural Enterprise.
2016: 'Best Licensed Product' Award - Association For Cultural Enterprise.
Won in conjunction with the National Portrait Gallery.
2016: 'Digital Innovation' - The English Home Magazine’s ‘New Years Honours List’
2015: ‘Best New Product in Show' - Decorex International
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT BLACKPOP
“The National Portrait Gallery is delighted to be working with Blackpop on The Tudor Collection - Deconstructed, and excited by the creativity displayed in these beautiful designs.”
Nicola Saunders, Head of Business Development, National Portrait Gallery
“The Decorex judges were particularly impressed by the collaboration between Blackpop and the National Portrait Gallery. In taking their inspiration from Tudor paintings, Blackpop have created an exciting, relevant collection that is both traditional in reference and contemporary in colour palette. Intelligent and sensitive designing.”
Simone du Bois, Brand Director, Decorex International
"Blackpop Studios has designed a range that is nothing short of breathtaking. While they look like they could have been stripped from the walls of stately homes there is something uniquely modern and fresh about them too."
Design Lovers Blog
"Collections so beautiful and opulent, they transcend both a modern and vintage era."
little BIGBELL
2016: 'Digital Innovation' - The English Home Magazine’s ‘New Years Honours List’
2015: ‘Best New Product in Show' - Decorex International
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT BLACKPOP
“The National Portrait Gallery is delighted to be working with Blackpop on The Tudor Collection - Deconstructed, and excited by the creativity displayed in these beautiful designs.”
Nicola Saunders, Head of Business Development, National Portrait Gallery
“The Decorex judges were particularly impressed by the collaboration between Blackpop and the National Portrait Gallery. In taking their inspiration from Tudor paintings, Blackpop have created an exciting, relevant collection that is both traditional in reference and contemporary in colour palette. Intelligent and sensitive designing.”
Simone du Bois, Brand Director, Decorex International
"Blackpop Studios has designed a range that is nothing short of breathtaking. While they look like they could have been stripped from the walls of stately homes there is something uniquely modern and fresh about them too."
Design Lovers Blog
"Collections so beautiful and opulent, they transcend both a modern and vintage era."
little BIGBELL
