Isolation 2020 Project featuring Patrick Morrison of Furious Goose
Patrick Morrison is a gorgeous and very talented artist and the main man and designer behind Furious Goose “Exuberant British Accessories”.
Patrick is based in the beautiful beach town of Brighton with the most amazing view of the sea, something he has certainly been very grateful for during his time in lockdown.
Patrick started his professional life in graphic design, in which he still consults from time to time, but he has always had such an appreciation of beautiful things and, therefore, decided to embark upon his own luxury brand about 6 years ago. His company’s range of ‘lavalliere’ scarves, also called Dragon Bow Ribbon Scarves, are truly stunning, eye-catching colourful designs. I can’t decide which one is my favourite! Can you?…
The Dragon Collection from Furious Goose
“Hope”
“People are now talking about the environment and the world differently”…
“Hope” is the word Patrick chose to sum up his time in isolation. Patrick says “due to Covid-19 people are now talking about the environment and the world differently”. He hopes that this has been the ultimate wake up call that the world needed to take these issues that much more seriously. I’m certain many of you, if not all, will agree with this. There has been some evidence of the world naturally healing to how things should be, since much of the world have had to shut off their engines and slow down. Working from home for so many has been proved to be absolutely possible, therefore lowering our carbon footprint immensely. Technology around the world has really shone in this time, keeping people connected worldwide. Many have turned to walking and cycling to get their daily exercise, or just to get out of the house for a while, encouraging a healthier nation. It would be wonderful if this continues and I hope this will become a new “normal”, thinking greener and more sustainable with a smaller carbon footprint. Thus enabling all of the global think tanks and green warriors to concentrate their efforts, with the world supporting them.
The Dragon Collections ties as worn by Patrick above…
Patrick has found time in isolation to explore himself mentally without the pressure of time constraints and the need to be here, there and everywhere! Besides missing out on a big family celebration which, obviously, had to be cancelled, he has managed to keep his business on track and has been teaching himself new design applications. He also has an exciting collaboration with the wonderful LGBTQ+ Public Figure, Historian and writer, Tyne O’Connell, coming soon. I am really looking forward to seeing that.
I wish Patrick every success and would love to share his view of the sea during any future lockdown, anyone else find the beach a calming and soothing place to be?
Anyone else find the beach a calming and soothing place to be?…
I caught up with Patrick recently, during our third lockdown, and asked him a few more questions.
What have you been up to since we last talked?
Designing away furiously on new collections and collaborations. It’s been such a lifesaver to have a focus.
‘Furious Goose’
From their new Oscar Wilde collection…
“Either be a work of art or wear a work of art”
“You can never be overdressed or overeducated”
Now just coming out of our 3rd official lockdown, can you tell me how this one compares with the first for you?
This one has not been such a challenge really – we’re all, sadly, used to them. I also took the decision to go back into the studio so it has just seemed like one very long week with no weekend. Thankfully we’ve had back to back “Drag Race” to look forward to.
What do you believe your experience of 2020 has taught you?
That time is precious and should not be wasted. But this doesn’t mean being busy all the time; health and quality of life is just as important. Our connections to other people are vital too. I’ve never experienced anything that has impacted the entire world simultaneously, including all of my friends and family. Whilst it has not been the same for everyone, it has impacted everyone to a greater or lesser extent. That sense of globalism has been really impactful.
Moving forward, is there anything you will approach differently, having experienced all that we have during this pandemic?
I’m going to take a bit of the pressure to succeed off my shoulders. That energy is useful but caustic. I’m going to reframe it into a drive to excel at what I love, which is creating wearable art.
Many have found this time incredibly tough for so many reasons. What would you say has been the hardest part of it for you to deal with?
I’ve been lucky not to have too many challenges throughout the lockdown apart from the emotion of the tragic stories that you hear every day. Not being able to travel has been a bit frustrating but that’s hardly something to complain about, is it?
I hope that you and your loved ones have fared well during this difficult time. Is there anything positive from this Covid experience that you will be able to reflect upon for the rest of your life?
It’s reinforced my connections to friends and family which I will not forget and it has given me a massive incentive to look after my body more than I was. Health is wealth, as they say!
‘Furious Goose’ and Bradley Simpson of ‘The Vamps’ collaborated to design this stunning accessory to accompany the groups Number 1 album, ‘Cherry Blossom’
Health is wealth
Interview and FaceTime photography by Dawn Collins
