Neisha Crosland & Virago Books

Whether happily or not, the not so distant past when women's lives were almost entirely domestic, means that there is often an implicit familiarity and appreciation of textiles by and for women. To that end it is hardly surprising that the trail-blazing feminist publishing company, Virago books, has chosen a selection of textile designers to design book covers for their Modern Classics series. The series has included cover designs by Eley Kishimoto (Molly Keane’s Good Behaviour) and Celia Birtwell – perfectly twinned with a series of Elizabeth Taylor novels. More recently one of our favourite designers, Neisha Crosland has worked her magic on Virago's re-publishing of some of Daphne du Maurier's best-loved titles. “I suppose I am a bit like a biologist who collects specimens. I collect ideas and motifs and classify them in to designs. I love the way nature organises itself. I take inspiration from the way a plant organises its leaves, petals and stamens. I love the way that colour dictates a mood, and how repeat conducts the rhythm in a pattern. I love relocating motifs and putting them into a new context. Flat pattern and how it is applied to three-dimensional form fascinates me.” - Neisha Crosland. Find out more about the history of Virago books and where to find them through their website. The Birds and Don't Look Now are Virago's latest du Maurier releases in collaboration with Neisha Crosland and are priced at £14.99 each. Read more about Neisha Crosland and her work in the Launch and  Hibernate issues of Selvedge magazine. www.neishacrosland.com www.virago.co.uk