The Pattern Cloud is thrilled to introduce you to four incredible design studios!
At The Pattern Cloud, we take pride in working with some of the world’s top textile and surface pattern studios, providing them with the software they need to seamlessly run their entire design business.
With that in mind, we’re excited to introduce you to four standout studios—hidden gems you may not have discovered yet. Let us help you get to know these studios a little better!
Meet Liz Speer Designs, The Digital Weaver, Paradox NYC archive and sister sumac. These four studios have completely unique styles, each bringing something special to the world of textile design. We can’t wait for you to discover their work!
Liz Speer:
Starting out in New York’s vibrant garment district, Liz began her career in fashion design, working for a brand that was heavily focused on prints. She loved being part of print appointments, getting a first-hand look at the stunning collections from various print studios. Seeing all those colors and patterns together was endlessly inspiring—it sparked her curiosity and led her to dive deeper into the world of print design. Eager to learn, she taught herself how to create repeat patterns, picking up skills both on the job and in her own time.
Experience is key to understanding customers print needs
With each company Liz Speers worked for, her involvement in artwork grew, and so did her passion for design. While her professional work was entirely digital, she began experimenting with hand-drawn and hand-painted artwork in her free time, rediscovering the joy of working with traditional media.
After years in the fast-paced fashion industry, Liz was ready for a new chapter. Craving more creative freedom, she took the leap and started her own print studio. Today, most of the designs in her collection are her own, though she also collaborates with a select group of consignment artists.
Liz’s Design processes and Cyanotype designs
Her creative process is deeply rooted in traditional techniques—she primarily works by hand, using oil pastels and watercolors, though she also enjoys digital design. Always eager to explore new methods, she has developed a love for cyanotype printing, using Florida’s lush foliage as inspiration. For her, cyanotypes are a perfect fusion of science and art, with each print turning out beautifully unique. She also enjoys experimenting with dye techniques, constantly pushing the boundaries of her craft.
Her designs cater to the swimwear and womenswear markets, and it’s no surprise that tropical prints are her favorite to create. Now living in Florida, she finds endless inspiration in the natural beauty that surrounds her—palm trees, vibrant florals, and the ever-changing light of the tropics.
What she loves most about her work is the creative freedom it allows. Mixing different mediums, playing with new techniques, and seeing where the process leads is an exciting part of the journey—even if some pieces never make it into a final print. She gravitates toward happy, bold color combinations and vibrant patterns—the same kind of designs she loves to wear and shop for herself.
Her work stands out for its distinct personal touch, blending hand-drawn elements, a keen eye for color, and a fresh perspective on emerging trends. She also enjoys merging unexpected ideas, creating artwork that feels completely unique.
For her, inspiration is everywhere. The way sunlight filters through fence slats onto palm leaves might spark an idea for a striped tropical print, while raindrops on a window could inspire a blurred floral. While she keeps a close eye on runway trends and forecasts, it’s everyday life that truly shapes the direction of her designs.
Currently, she sells most of her designs in the U.S. While she’s not attending any trade shows at the moment, one thing is certain—art and creativity will always be at the heart of her future.
The Digital Weaver
The Digital Weaver Studio owned by the lovely Maddie began as a tiny spark of an idea! With over 25 years in the fashion industry and a proven track record in innovation, trend forecasting, and color direction, that idea quickly became a reality. After years of working with an iconic Australian swimwear brand—translating catwalk trends into best-selling textile designs for the global market—it was time for a major shift.
What wasn’t obvious at the time was how those years of collaborative creativity, market research, and deep trend analysis would lead to an overwhelming desire to share that knowledge. And that’s exactly why The Digital Weaver Studio was created—to give brands the tools to learn, grow, and define their own unique identity.
The Digital Weavers USP
What makes The Digital Weaver Studio stand out is its constantly evolving industry knowledge and in-depth trend research across a wide range of categories, from swimwear to apparel and accessories. Every print and trend is designed with a holistic approach, blending forecasting expertise with carefully curated color and layout. With a trusted reputation for high-quality artwork and spot-on trend insights, the studio’s mission is to create exclusive, one-of-a-kind textile designs that help brands tell their own stories with confidence.
Working with a passion to connect customers with a perfect print for them
Beyond prints and patterns, The Digital Weaver Studio has expanded into creative consulting and strategic growth mentoring, helping brands not only with design but also with vision and direction. Clients don’t just receive trends and artwork—they gain a clear strategy for growth and a roadmap for their brand’s future. From emerging start-ups to established global names, the studio works with a diverse range of clients—and values each and every one of them.
At its core, The Digital Weaver Studio is more than just a design studio. It’s a creative partner, a trend expert, and a guide for brands looking to make a lasting impact in the world of fashion and textiles.
Trends
In the ever-changing world of fashion, staying ahead of trends is essential For The Digital Weaver Studio, trends are second nature—they eat, live, and breathe fashion! Keeping a pulse on the industry is just part of the creative process. They subscribe to leading fashion platforms like The Impression, Vogue Runway, and Business of Fashion (BOF), which provide instant access to catwalk shows, industry shifts, and major fashion events as they unfold. They love diving into behind-the-scenes insights and close-up runway details, gaining a deeper understanding of the artistry behind each collection.
Beyond the runways, inspiration comes from social media, in-store visits, music videos, and live events, helping them tap into emerging street-style influences. But not every brand follows the trends—some prefer to set their own, which is an exciting and liberating process that The Digital Weaver Studio is always eager to explore!
The design processes and digital sublimation
Digital sublimation printing has transformed the way custom designs come to life, offering endless possibilities for intricate details and bold, vibrant colors. Their print collection is all about high-resolution, eye-catching designs, and sublimation printing ensures that every color remains as vivid on fabric as it is on screen. It’s especially effective on polyester bases, where colors stay rich and details stay sharp. Another major advantage? Low print-run minimums! With hundreds of exclusive designs in their collection, being able to print in short runs makes sublimation the perfect solution.
Sustainability is also a key factor. Sublimation is one of the most eco-friendly forms of commercially viable digital printing. The process uses water-based inks that are steamed onto fabric, minimizing waste, while the leftover transfer paper is easily recycled. And of course, working with reliable suppliers who care about quality makes all the difference. The Sublitech team has become an invaluable partner, helping keep production smooth and stress-free.
From trend forecasting to sustainable printing, The Digital Weaver Studio is committed to delivering innovative, high-quality designs that make an impact.
Paradox NYC Archive
Paradox NYC Archive isn’t a print design studio—it’s a carefully curated textile archive. Founded in 2005 by Bridgette Morphew, the archive was built on a simple yet ground-breaking idea: to collect and preserve rare fashion artefacts, offering designers an exclusive resource for historical inspiration.
In 2016, Alex took over, bringing a deep background in fashion design and a lifelong passion for textiles and prints. After a decade as a designer, Alex shifted focus to working directly with fashion teams, helping them discover inspiration and translate vintage prints into contemporary fashion. With firsthand experience in the design process, Alex understands the unique needs of designers and can intuitively interpret their concept boards to find the perfect historical references.
While not a textile designer, Alex has spent years studying print history, recognizing that fashion is cyclical—everything comes back around. Textiles have the power to endure for centuries, making them a vital piece of fashion history that deserves to be celebrated.
Sourcing your Print needs in a different way to designs produced in a studio
The Paradox NYC Archive houses over 6,000 textiles, meticulously categorized into 140 groups, serving all market sectors. The evolution of vintage prints into modern fashion is fascinating, and curating textile selections for designers is a true joy. The archive is a treasure trove of beauty, where every piece tells a story. Unlike digitally created prints, these textiles showcase the true hand of the original artwork, giving them a unique and timeless quality.
While Paradox NYC Archive is based in the U.S., its reach extends globally, with clients spanning from America to Australia and New Zealand. The archive is more than a collection—it’s a living, breathing source of inspiration for the fashion industry.
Sister Sumac LLC
Sister Sumac LLC was founded by Chelsea and Gwen, who first met while studying Textile Design at Philadelphia College of Textiles (now Jefferson). After years working in the apparel and footwear industries, they reconnected through a shared passion for natural dyes and, in 2021, launched their own design studio.
What makes Sister Sumac truly unique is its commitment to working exclusively with natural dyes and pigments—many of which are grown and gathered by hand. Using a mix of traditional, ancient, and modern techniques, they create designs directly on fabric before transforming them into digital files for production.
A Love for the Process
At its core, Sister Sumac is a process-driven studio. Chelsea and Gwen embrace the unpredictable nature of dyeing and printing with natural materials, finding beauty in the chaos. Each dye has its own personality, influenced by factors like growing conditions, time of harvest, and even subtle shifts in the environment. These variations bring depth and character to their work, making each design a reflection of a specific place and moment in time.
Inspired by Nature
Nature is at the heart of everything they do. Their favorite designs are the ones that evolve through multiple stages, often incorporating various techniques and even passing between them at different phases of creation. This layered approach results in textiles that feel both organic and timeless.
A Unique Approach to Textile Design
Working with natural materials is a slow, intentional process—one that many designers don’t have the time or resources to explore. By dedicating themselves to this craft, Chelsea and Gwen create modern, one-of-a-kind pieces that remain deeply connected to their historical roots.
Sister Sumac primarily serves the women’s apparel market but also works in home textiles and packaging. Their designs have been showcased in both New York and Paris, including exhibitions at Première Vision NYC and Paris. They are set to return to Première Vision NYC in July 2025.
Advice for Emerging Designers
Chelsea and Gwen encourage new designers to stay open-minded and trust their creative instincts. Every brand and artist has a unique perspective, and in a studio setting, it’s important not to over-edit yourself. The most exciting ideas often come from embracing the unexpected!
Why not register with these incredible studios and explore their designs online? You can also check out Liz Speer Designs, The Digital Weaver, and Sister Sumac LLC on The Design Agent, where you can browse and purchase stunning designs from these unique studios—all in one place!