Career in textiles was in the blood for Luxotic creative director Edward Li

A CAREER in silk weaving and printing was in the blood for Luxotic creative director Edward Li.

While his business is growing fast, creative director Edward Li says his home in Redfern is warm and inviting. Pictures: Danny Aarons

• WHO: Edward Li, creative director of textiles company Luxotic

• WHERE: An apartment in Redfern

• FAVOURITE THING: This teapot has been passed down through my family. It was made in 1910 in Shanghai, which is the region of China I come from

• INSPIRATION: I am very much into the industrial-style furniture, mostly black and white with touches of natural timber and a bit of Art Deco thrown in for good measure

• HOME IS: I really cherish having my own space

EDWARD Li knows everything there is to know about textiles. Having designed textiles for the who’s who of Australian brands, including KAS, Morgan & Finch, Cotton House and Freedom, he has also produced designs for international brands Macy’s, JC Penney, House of Fraser and Selfridges. Edward says he was always destined for a career in textiles.

“My family had a silk weaving and printing business, so textiles run in the blood,” he says.

“I started out a lot more involved in fashion, running my own fashion design studio for 10 years before I became more focused on home furnishings, with another decade leading the design teams of a couple of top Australian home furnishing brands.”

Edward Li with a teapot that was handed down from his parents.

AT HOME WITH ROBYN JONES

Edward has spent the past couple of years establishing his own brand, Luxotic, with a lot of interest now coming internationally.

“I’m off to London and New York soon to launch our latest range to buyers there.”

While his business is growing fast, Edward says his home in Redfern is warm and inviting.

“At home, I have to force myself to relax because I’m almost constantly thinking of design,” he says. “I have a drawing and painting kit on hand so when inspiration hits I can get it down on paper. Although that process is work, it also brings me pleasure.”

Fittingly, he lives in an old textiles warehouse built in the 1920s that was converted into a modern apartment complex.

“They did a great job when it was converted — I haven’t needed to make any major changes apart from cosmetic touches,” Edward says. “It has a strong character with fantastic light — which makes it wonderful for entertaining people.”

More: Luxotic, luxotic.com.au

200-year-old plate: This was a precious gift from an old friend. It is one of a set of four, by Spode, the English company renown for perfecting underglaze blue transfer printing in the late 16th century.

Japanese silk: This antique piece was specifically created to be used in a display for Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement). The colours have faded but it is still a beautiful piece and a superb example of its type.

Teapot: This teapot has been passed down through my family. It was made in 1910 in Shanghai, which is the region of China I come from.

Air India mascot: This maharajah is an early version that has been used for more than 50 years by Air India. He was discovered in an antiques store in the ’90s on a business trip in New Delhi.

Chopsticks: I’ve had them with me since I arrived Australia and take them and use them everywhere I go. They are not only useful but items that can evoke many wonderful memories.

Baby’s robe: This baby’s robe from Afghanistan was created in the period when the USSR were occupying the country. It’s embellished with Russian coins and sea shells.

Tokyo New Wave cookbook: Japan has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the whole world. The country has carefully preserved its most traditional cooking methods.

Nuba: Photographer Leni Riefenstahl delivered this fascinating portrait of the life of the Sudan Nuba people, who until that time were practically unknown to the rest of the world.

Japanese textile: This is hand-dyed linen with an Indonesian batik pattern. The colours are so deep and beautiful, they remain strong even after being washed many times.