Yesterday saw the formal opening of TheGallery’s exhibition Lucienne Day: Living Design, with a panel discussion followed by a private view.

The panel was chaired by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Emma Hunt, and included Chancellor Sir Christopher Frayling, Dr. Jennifer Harris and Lucienne and Robin Day’s daughter, Dr. Paula Day.

The discussion focused on the influential work and life of Lucienne Day, one of Britain’s most influential textile designers charting her high profile career through the decades and the legacy of her designs.

The private view gave visitors a first look at the exhibition, which traces Lucienne’s design career through a photographic history, which unfolds in a sequence of images drawn from the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation.

The photographs show her Diploma show as a textile student at the Royal College of Art and lead up to her career breakthrough at the Festival of Britain 1951, with her pioneering ‘contemporary’ design Calyx.

The photographs also evidence Lucienne’s prolific output of patterns for furnishing and dress fabrics, table linen, carpets, wallpapers and ceramics for numerous companies in Britain and abroad during the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s.

Professor Emma Hunt said: “I have been very privileged to work alongside Paula Day and it has been an amazing opportunity to spend time with her, going through the archives and hearing about her parents, who were so dedicated to their design practice.

“Lucienne Day is an inspiration to our students, especially those who study on our textiles and design degree courses. We are delighted to be hosting the first exhibition of a year-long celebration and to have worked with Classic Textiles, who have provided us with 12 classic designs to use in the show.

“As a designer, Lucienne Day had a real sense of purpose and commitment to detail which enabled her to progress so successfully, and inspire future generations. I think one of the most important aspects of the exhibition is the support for student designers, not just of Textiles, but all design courses.”

Read more about Lucienne Day: Living Design.