The illustrator talks storytelling, fashionable cats and travelling while we sleep

Interview by Cheryl Caira. Lead image: Summer in the City pyjama sets. 

We did a pop-up in London to celebrate 10 years of my brand, and I was approached about writing a children’s book. I had lots of ideas, then I thought: ‘what about dressing cats up in some sort of educational way?’ That’s how we came up with A Catwalk Around the World, using cats to showcase different traditional costumes, styles and cultures. 

After I had my daughter, I felt like I totally lost my identity. I loved this new life, but I achingly missed the old one. I don’t feel like that now, because I’ve figured out how to link my two worlds. There was an element of escapism with writing the book, because I was doing these drawings and thinking of places I wanted to go. I loved creating these magical worlds in the wee hours after I put my daughter to bed.

Designer Karen Mabon

I grew up in the Black Isle around a lot of folklore and tradition. There was so much superstition in my fishing village. You don’t realise how much it gets imbibed – that idea of storytelling and fantasy. It’s definitely inspired my work. There’s a narrative element to all of my pieces, and I quite like the fact the story is up for interpretation. 

I’ve always tried to grow up with the brand – if I think something’s missing from my home, I’ll create it. Our main focus for autumn/winter is to expand our homeware and add wallpaper. We’ve also added jackets to the brand this year. There was a point where we were almost spreading ourselves a bit thin, but now we’re being more considered with what we produce and making smaller collections.

Our Summer in the City pyjama sets and totes have just launched. The collection is designed around my favourite cities: Paris, London and New York. I loved travelling to all the trade shows for work – I met such funny, interesting people and have the happiest memories. I wanted to capture the essence of those cities and make the design really evocative for people.

A Catwalk Around the World will be released in October