The Brand Heritage

Anne Dubbs and Liz Downing met in 1994, two American women living in London. Anne had a background in textiles from years working with Eldo Netto at Cowtan and Tout as well as a strong vision of a textiles company inspired by the vintage and historic textiles she collected.

Liz was looking for a new challenge having spent several years working for American fabric houses and with the renowned US interior designer, Mark Hampton. Anne introduced Liz to the first drafts of the prints she’d been colouring and the spark was lit. 

With complimentary skills – Anne runs the design and production side of the business, Liz the business and marketing – a shared work ethic, commitment, determination and sense of humour, they were a natural fit to launch a business together. And in 1997, with five hand coloured designs, the duo launched.

After weeks scribbling multiple name ideas onto a yellow legal pad, the brand was called Blithfield after the street Anne lived on when she first moved to London.