Helen Ruth is a luxury accessories label specialising in digitally printed silk and wool scarves, crafted and hand-finished in Scotland. Each scarf begins with original hand-drawn illustrations, which are then transformed into digital files to be colored and printed. Helen Ruth is committed to local and ethical production, with printing carried out in Glasgow and each piece hand-finished in Aberdeen.
Helen Ruth
Meet The Maker - Helen Ruth
Helen Ruth Q & A
When and how did your business start?
I studied Textiles at Grays School of Art in Aberdeen, specialising in printed textiles, and in my final year I designed a range of scarves using my illustrations. After graduating in 2008 and carrying out several placements in design studios, I felt I wanted to start my own brand so I could have the freedom to design things I love.
How did you feel about being approached to be involved in the Pink Castle project?
It was really exciting! [...] I have a personal connection to the castle and lots of childhood memories spent there, but asides from that I think this project marks a significant moment in the Castle’s story - re-opening to the public after being closed for so long being restored and preserved for the future, so to be part of this moment is a real proud moment for me!
Can you walk us through the journey of taking the designs from concept to finished product?
The design all starts with my hand drawn illustrations - pen and paper. I sketched out a rough idea of the finished design in pencil to the actual scale of the finished scarf, then set about working in to it with pen to create all the intricate detail. Once I was happy with the drawing I had it scanned to create a digital version of the design, and it is at this stage I used Photoshop to add the colour, make tweaks to the composition and collage in other drawn elements. The finished files are then sent to my printers, before being sent back to me as rolls of fabric to be turned into scarves.
