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Gemma Moulton’s passion for textiles was ignited during her early years working at a silk mill in Sudbury, Suffolk, her hometown. Years later, after establishing her own business creating custom curtains, she was approached by a mill from the same town to collaborate. This opportunity felt like a full circle moment for Moulton, leading her company, East London Cloth, to transition into a specialist fabric merchant in 2022. Today, at her shop on Vyner Street in Bethnal Green, Moulton continues to sell her signature “cafe curtains” and a range of simple Irish linens. The showroom is charmingly furnished with vintage mirrors, chests, and table lamps, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Moulton describes it as a bigger version of her second home.
The current highlight of the showroom is Moulton’s first collection of jacquard fabrics, named Spitalfields after the London district where the original fabric patterns were designed and produced in the 17th century. Stephen Walters & Sons, the Sudbury silk mill that initiated the collaboration, spent 18 months adapting these historical designs for contemporary production. The collection features antiqued pink, blue, and yellow stripes with floral motifs, including the cotton Sofa Stripe I, the Spitalfields Stripe silk blend, and the Brant’s Trellis. Alongside these recreations, a new design called Sottofondo, inspired by 1980s Italy, offers reversible Taffeta Stripes, “sorbet-toned” sateens, and richly colored ikats that are perfect for upholstery.
Customers visiting the showroom are always curious to learn about the provenance and manufacturing process of each fabric, according to Moulton. Notable customers, such as Will Fisher and Charlotte Freemantle from London-based antiques dealer Jamb, have utilized East London Cloth for the renovation of Aldourie Castle, a 300-year-old property located on the banks of Loch Ness, available for rent.
For those without grand restoration projects, Moulton collaborates with local artisans to offer a selection of small gifts and accessories. A Hoxton bookbinder has beautifully wrapped Italian notebooks in colorful antique fabrics, while the new range of passementerie (elaborate trimmings) includes key tassels and curtain ties. In the autumn, the company will introduce a series of one-of-a-kind door curtains made from reclaimed materials. One example hanging in the showroom combines Indian block-printed fabric with green silk sourced from a Norfolk antiques shop.
Located on Vyner Street, the shop attracts a trendy art crowd with its neighboring galleries and studios. While the area no longer reflects its once bustling textile production history, East London Cloth serves as a homecoming for Moulton’s delicately woven silks. It’s a full circle moment once again.
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