profile

Gretel Marlena Sawyer is an artist and designer with a deep-rooted love for craftsmanship, storytelling, and thoughtful design. Based between the smallest county of Rutland, London, and the Norfolk coast, she draws inspiration from nature, textiles, light, and layered materials—translating her vision into surface pattern design, illustration, lettering, murals, and bespoke product work.

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With over two decades of experience in the design industry, Gretel brings a refined, intuitive approach to every project she takes on. Her creative journey began in early education and led to a BA Hons in Textiles from Goldsmiths, London—laying the foundation for a career rooted in craft, detail, and thoughtful design. She went on to design for beloved UK brands including The White Company, John Lewis, Anthropologie, and Jigsaw, travelling internationally to create textiles and oversee production. During her time in New York at Jakob Schlaepfer, one of the world’s most prestigious couture fabric houses, deepened her appreciation for beautifully made materials and elevated design.

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Her design studio was founded in 2014, with the aim of offering beautifully considered, meaningful design to both established brands and independent businesses. Today, she works across a wide spectrum of disciplines—illustration, surface pattern design, brand design, packaging, event stationery, murals, and bespoke lettering—creating cohesive, art-led work that elevates each client’s story.

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Alongside her client work, Gretel also produces personal collections that explore dreamy palettes, floral forms, and tactile, layered compositions rooted in her early love of quilting, embroidery, and craft—passed down by her grandmother.​