Bleux has been longing for a range of designs that captures the texture of the Australian bush without relying on immediately recognisable forms. No – it’s not cultural cringe, rather a desire to elevate the not-so-iconic or typically Australian image. So they approached Justine Missen, an Australian illustrator and artist based between Melbourne and Bali, to illustrate some Australian designs.

For the last eight years Justine has focussed primarily on pattern and design for fashion and interiors. Along with her latest range with Bleux, she is developing a range of textiles that combine traditional techniques with contemporary design and application.

“Working with Justine, we wanted to explore textural Australian motifs. Things like the scribbles made by worms in eucalyptus bark, the barbs in lyrebird feathers, the pattern of wattle in bloom…” says Skye Molyneux, creative director at Bleux, “and the painterly style of her illustration was perfect for this range.”

Bleux had originally seen Justine’s collaborative work in Changi Airport in Singapore – a job Bleux had tendered on and lost. “When you lose a tender, there is consolation in knowing that it has been won by a designer who’s work you like and respect.” Bleux then approached Justine to work on a collection together.

The designs lend themselves to residential interiors and bleux sees these as being popular as wallpaper murals in high end residences. Saying that, Bleux sees that the designs would work well in a contemporary commercial fitout where there is a need to punctuate the space with some organic motifs.
Like all Bleux designs, Missen’s work is available on wallpaper, frosted and optically clear film, alucobond, canvas and glass.

Bleux
bleux.com.au