photography Erik Lefvander
image courtesy Dusty Deco
For over two decades, Matthew Williamson has captivated the design world with his fearless use of colour, print, and an unmistakable sense of joy. Rising to prominence in the late 1990s with his iconic fashion label, he quickly became synonymous with vibrant pattern and expressive design. Since then, his creative universe has expanded into interiors, textiles, and lifestyle, each project reflecting a deeply personal vision infused with optimism and escapism. Today, from his sun-drenched home in Mallorca, and through collaborations including his recent work with Dusty Deco, Williamson continues to refine and reimagine his aesthetic — guided by a creative philosophy rooted in emotion, storytelling, and the transformative power of design.
Jahwanna Berglund: When you think about the arc of your life in design, what is the moment that changed you the most – not as a professional, but as a person?
MW: I am proud of my body of work now. Perhaps I wasn’t so much when I was younger, but I now have perspective and a lot of experience and learned skills from over the years. I know much more now about the kind of work I want to do. I’m more focused on my vision rather than other people’s ideas about what I should do.
I guess choosing to stop working in fashion and moving to Mallorca changed me as a person, and having my daughter Skye has also had a huge positive impact. My lifestyle now is as I want it to be; it suits me, but it takes a long time to get there and feel settled and comfortable where I am now.
JB: Reflecting on your early fashion career, how has your creative voice evolved, and when did you truly find it, moving beyond industry expectations?
MW: I guess back then, in the fashion career days, I was on autopilot, doing show after show, year after year, for the buyers and the approval of the press. However, as I’ve aged, I’ve started to do the work that I want to do more and more. I’ve learned that in the creative industries, you can’t please everyone all the time, so now I do work I like and am drawn to myself, and simply hope some others will like it too. It’s a bonus if it’s well-received, but it’s not necessarily the driving force.
image courtesy Dusty Deco
JB: You have always designed with a sense of joy and colour. What does colour represent for you today?
MW: Colour has always been my creative language. I’m not great at working with neutrals; I find them a little flat and lifeless. I’m drawn to saturated colours – not always necessarily bright colours, but they have to be interesting. I think we all see colour differently; it’s deeply personal what we are drawn to. I often find people are scared or timid around using colour, but I feel very comfortable in that sphere and love using joyful colours. It lifts the spirits and brings smiles to people’s faces.
JB: Moving from fashion into interiors is not simply a change of medium, but a change of mindset. What did you need to unlearn or relearn in that transition?
MW: There’s a lot of overlap between fashion and interiors, so it definitely felt like a career pivot rather than learning a whole new skill set. Interior work is a little slower-paced, and you are creating things that will hopefully last a lifetime rather than just a season, so it feels a little more sustainable, less transient, more solid, and meaningful. My team is much smaller now, so I’ve had to learn how to take on many more aspects of the work myself, and also how to work with a tight-knit team to get the best results out of them and me.
JB: When you shape a space, is it an extension of the fashion designer you once were, or does this process connect you to another side of your identity?
MW: I think I still aim for the same results. I always want to make something beautiful, joyful, practical, and never too expensive if possible. Be it clothing, products for the home, or interiors, I think my goal is always simply that and to improve the quality of what I do every time.
JB: What drew you to Dusty Deco and what did you see in their design world that resonated with your own sensibility?
MW: I love the work of Dusty Deco. I followed them on Instagram and was a fan. When they approached me to collaborate, it was a straightforward yes! I find their work to be super chic and cool. Edin and Lina have a wonderful, unique style. It’s artistic, eclectic, and full of their personalities. They are so good at creating an inspiring interior vibe, and I knew it would be a successful partnership if I could bring my skills to their brand.
JB: Can you describe the first spark or image that came to you when you began imagining this collaboration with Edin and Lina?
MW: Lina was keen for textiles to be the hero of our range, so I immediately started painting in my studio what has now become the “Beaten Track” upholstery fabric for their sofas and daybeds. It’s a little abstract watercolour pattern, imagining a favourite walk in Deià, where I live, from an aerial view. I wanted to create a print that felt 50% Dusty Deco and 50% Matthew Williamson. I also wanted the print to feel fresh, yet something that would age well.
JB: When two strong visual languages meet, there is always a moment of alignment. Where did that alignment happen for you and Dusty Deco?
MW: From day one, we aligned. We were lucky as we were great working partners with mutual respect for each other’s strengths and brands, and now we’ve become good friends, so it’s been lovely.
JB: You have lived and worked in very different cultural environments. Which place has shaped you the most in this moment of your life?
MW: It’s true, I’m very much a designer inspired by his surroundings. Initially, my work was very British, with influences from India and Mexico as I’d travel there a lot in my 20s and 30s. Now that I live in Spain, in Mallorca, my work has definitely become less British and more rustic. There’s more influence from the local landscape, and while a relaxed, bohemian sensibility still remains, I’d like to think it’s now a little more polished and accomplished.
image courtesy Dusty Deco
JB: What does home mean to you today, both as a designer and as a person?
MW: Home is everything. It means even more to me now than it did, but it’s always been so important in my life. I’m happiest at home, for sure. I love the spaces I’ve created for me and my family. They are comfortable, stylish, and practical, and I love being there. It’s a true expression of us, and I’m proud of what we’ve created.
JB: Is there something you feel you still have not created but carry with you as a quiet dream? And what is next for you? Not in terms of projects, but in terms of the feeling you want to move toward.
MW: That’s a good question. There’s definitely more I want to do. This coming year, I’ll be opening a shop in Deià, Mallorca. That’s been a dream of mine for years, and now it’s finally coming to life. It’s called Caserra 71 and will stock vintage homeware, fashion, and lifestyle products. I’ll also be launching a paint collection of 16 shades with my favourite brand, Pickleson Paints, which I’m excited about. I’ve just designed the trophy for the BRIT Awards, which was a great milestone moment for me, and I hope there will be a few more great projects still to come. I don’t have a specific plan beyond this – only to do the projects which I’m drawn to and that just feel right.
Special thanks to Grand Relations and Dusty Deco
