Fox & Chave Morris Navy Seaweed Crêpe de Chine Silk Scarf – John Henry Dearle’s iconic Morris & Co design in deep blue

At first glance, it is the deep navy that makes this scarf so striking. Then you begin to notice the extraordinary detail: sinuous stems, curling leaves, pale celadon and cream botanical forms and flowers, all flowing across a densely patterned ground.

The design is Seaweed, created in 1901 by John Henry Dearle, one of the most important figures in the later history of Morris & Co. Dearle joined William Morris’s circle while still young and went on to become one of the firm’s leading designers. Although his work has sometimes been mistaken for Morris’s own, Seaweed is Dearle’s design – and a wonderful example of the way the Morris & Co. aesthetic continued to evolve.

The dark colouring has historical resonance too: surviving Morris & Co. records document Seaweed on a dark-blue ground, incorporating lighter blues and greens. So while this Fox & Chave scarf feels particularly timely today, its dramatic colour story has roots stretching back more than a century.

The choice of pure silk Crêpe de Chine gives the design another dimension. Slightly more substantial than chiffon, the silk has a soft lustre and falls into elegant, controlled folds – particularly flattering with tailoring.

At approximately 150cm x 34cm, it is a beautifully versatile size. Wear it long over a camel jacket as we’ve photographed it, slip it inside a navy blazer, pair it with ivory or cream, or knot it softly at the neck.

Proof, perhaps, that great design doesn’t really date.

Details

Design: Morris Navy Seaweed
Original design: Seaweed
Designer: John Henry Dearle for Morris & Co., 1901
Maker: Fox & Chave
Material: 100% silk Crêpe de Chine
Dimensions: Approx. 150cm x 34cm
Colours: Deep navy, powder blue, celadon, cream and green
Style: Long, narrow silk scarf
Wear: Draped long, loosely knotted or worn beneath a jacket
Care: Dry clean only

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