Behind the label

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair standing under an arched garden trellis surrounded by lush green trees and plants, wearing a sleeveless, floral-patterned dress.

Alison Kelly is an artist, author of Printing from the Garden, and founder of Flora Obscura. Working primarily with silk, she uses botanical printing and natural dyes to create contemporary textiles that reveal the colors, forms, and botanical expression of plants.

After studying fine art, weaving, and silversmithing in San Miguel de Allende, Alison discovered the ancient traditions of natural dyeing in Oaxaca—an experience that forever transformed her understanding of color, cloth, and the natural world. Fashion studies in Florence refined her eye for silhouette, craftsmanship, and textile design, while years in New York's fashion industry, including participation on Project Runway Season 3, deepened her technical expertise. Yet it was the garden that ultimately called her home, becoming her greatest teacher and enduring source of inspiration.

Alison has collaborated with brands including Pottery Barn, J.Crew, and Saie Beauty, bringing her singular vision of botanical artistry to thoughtfully immersive experiences. Her work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Craft Show, and in 2020 she was recognized with the Honoring the Future Award for her innovative approach to sustainable design and botanical textiles. These honors reflect her commitment to preserving traditional craft while reimagining it through a contemporary, nature-driven lens.

Selvedge Magazine Feature

Flora Obscura: The Botanical Alchemy of Alison Kelly

fiber art now feature

WHEN THE GARDEN BECOMES THE ART

THE ART OF BOTANICAL PRINTING

The process is its own kind of alchemy—simple, precise, and led by the materials themselves. Each piece of  pure white cloth is first prepared in a mineral bath, allowing the fibers to better receive color. Fresh leaves and flowers are then arranged across the surface before the fabric is tightly bundled and steamed. Under heat, the natural pigments and shapes of the botanicals transfer directly into the fibers, creating clear, spirited & richly colored imprints.

 

FLORA OBSCURA

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J. CREW

 
 
Two women standing behind a variety of colorful flowers indoors, wearing patterned dresses and a jacket.
Close-up of a person wearing a floral-patterned, quilted jacket with a pink, purple, and gold design, and a light blue denim shirt sleeve visible at the cuff. The person has a gold bracelet with beads on their wrist.
A floral patterned quilted jacket with a belt, made by J.Crew, in pastel colors including pink, purple, and gold against a plain background.
Close-up of a woman wearing a floral-patterned dress with puffed sleeves, gathered waist, and a drawstring neckline.
A woman with long red hair lying on the floor in front of a floral backdrop, wearing a purple and white patterned dress, with her right arm bent and her left arm resting on the ground, looking at the camera.
A woman with red hair wearing a light green quilted jacket, a cream scarf draped over her shoulders, and a purple tie-dye skirt, standing among colorful flowers against a plain background.
A young woman with long red hair wearing a pink and yellow floral slip dress, sitting on a wooden stool against a plain white background.
A woman with light skin and brown hair poses with her hand near her chin, wearing a floral silk scarf, a white textured sweater, and a large green ring.
A woman with long red hair wearing large dark earrings, a light green ribbed top, and a yellow and white floral kimono-style robe, sitting and resting her head on her hand against a plain light background.
Close-up of a person's hand wearing a large green ring, a gold bracelet with cream-colored beads, and a wooden bangle, holding a light blue textured fabric. The person is dressed in a silky, floral-patterned outfit and has a cream-colored, textured c
Colorful one-piece swimsuit with pink, purple, gold, and white abstract pattern.
Close-up of a person wearing layered gold necklaces and a floral dress with pink, purple, and gold accents.
A young woman in a pastel purple dress with spaghetti straps, holding a cream-colored knitted sweater, wearing jewelry and beige platform shoes, standing against a plain white background.
Close-up of a person wearing a pastel-colored, floral-printed skirt with a side slit, and a hand with gold rings resting on the hip.
A person wearing a tie-dye dress in pastel colors with hands resting on hips, adorned with rings and bracelets.

FLORA OBSCURA

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Pottery Barn

Close-up of a floral-patterned fabric with purple, green, and black abstract floral designs.
A bedroom with a white bed featuring floral bedding and pillows, a white nightstand with books and a clock, framed botanical prints on the wall, and an arrangement of purple flowers in glass vases hanging on the wall.
Close-up of a white fabric curtain with abstract black, purple, and green watercolor-like patterns.
A bathroom with light-colored walls, a white cabinet, a glass vase with a plant, and a curtain with a floral pattern in shades of purple, green, and blue.
A bright bedroom with white walls, natural light coming through the windows, white curtains, a white bed with light-colored bedding and pillows, a white bedside table with books, a lamp, and a vase with purple flowers, and a soft gray rug on the floo
Close-up of a pillow and bedsheet with a light-colored floral pattern on a bed.
Freshly made bed with floral sheets and pillows in a bright, airy room, next to a white nightstand with books and headphones.
A white rug with a floral pattern in shades of yellow, pink, and gray, placed on a hardwood floor. A white wicker side table with a round top, holding a potted plant and a pink book, is positioned next to the rug.
Bright bedroom with white walls, floral bedding, and a window with sheer curtains. Decor includes framed art and hanging flowers, with a gray furry rug on the wooden floor.
Bed with floral patterned duvet and pillows in a bedroom with white walls and nightstand.
White sheer curtains with purple floral pattern hanging in front of a window.