Press Release
Marie Karlsson appointed Managing Director & Creative Director of Textile and Soft Furnishing House
The Edward Alexander Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Marie Karlsson as Managing Director & Creative Director of its Textile and Soft Furnishing House, effective August 2026.
Marie will lead the next phase of development of the House, which brings together distinguished British brands with exceptional heritage, multiple Royal Warrants and specialist expertise across textiles and soft furnishings: Gainsborough, George Spencer Designs, Heritage Trimmings and Titley and Marr.
Her focus will be on strengthening the individual identity of each brand, developing its creative and commercial potential, and further establishing its position within the international luxury interiors market.
Alongside this, Marie will drive the creative vision of the House, working closely with its brands to shape the creative direction and future development and international expansion. She will identify opportunities for collaboration and innovation across the portfolio while preserving the distinctive character, heritage and expertise of each individual brand.
The appointment supports the House ambition to further develop its collection of British design and craftsmanship businesses, combining generations of expertise with a contemporary creative perspective.
Roy Merritt, Chairman of The Edward Alexander Group, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Marie to the Group. Her appointment marks an important next chapter for both the Group and our Houses. Marie brings exceptional creative vision, leadership and a deep understanding of the luxury interiors and design world. Her ability to build on heritage while looking towards the future will be invaluable as we continue to develop our Textile and Soft Furnishing House and their international potential.”
Marie Karlsson said:
“I am delighted to be joining The Edward Alexander Group and to lead its Textile and Soft Furnishing House. The House brings together extraordinary British brands with remarkable heritage, craftsmanship and creative potential. I look forward to working closely with the teams to develop a strong and contemporary creative vision for the House, while ensuring that each Brand continues to evolve and express its own distinctive identity and continue its international expansion.”
About Marie Karlsson
Marie Karlsson is a luxury design leader whose career has been shaped by a lifelong passion for interiors, textiles, wallpaper, craftsmanship and the enduring beauty of British design. She joins The Edward Alexander Group to lead its Textile and Soft Furnishing House, bringing extensive experience of the international luxury interiors world to a portfolio of British heritage brands.
Prior to joining the Group, Marie spent more than a decade at Cole & Son, the celebrated British design house with more than 150 years of heritage, ultimately serving as Creative & Managing Director. During her tenure she led the creative evolution and international development of the brand, culminating in the award of a Royal Warrant by His Majesty King Charles III in 2024, following the warrant Cole & Son first held under Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Marie is recognised by Walpole as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Voices in British Luxury and as a leading luxury tastemaker. Her work and perspective have been widely featured in leading international publications, including Architectural Digest, The World of Interiors, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, House & Garden, ELLE Decoration, Country & Town House and Sphere.
Throughout her career Marie has worked at the intersection of design, art, fashion and culture, creating collaborations with some of the most celebrated names and institutions in the luxury world, among them Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Fornasetti, Ardmore Ceramic Art and Harrods. Her work has been recognised at the ELLE Decoration International Design Awards.
Sustainability has been a consistent thread through these projects, including her work with Stella McCartney. Marie believes the future of luxury lies not only in exceptional design, but in considered choices, enduring quality and respect for the people, materials and craftsmanship behind every creation.
Alongside her executive and creative roles, Marie advises selected design-led businesses and serves as a judge for the International Property Awards. She is a respected speaker and commentator within the international design community, appearing regularly at leading design and luxury events and hosting conversations with influential figures from across the creative industries.
A passionate supporter of emerging talent, she believes in nurturing creativity and encouraging the next generation to challenge convention while respecting the traditions upon which great design is built.
Her approach is rooted in the belief that exceptional luxury is created were creativity, craftsmanship, quality and heritage meet. She is particularly passionate about British manufacturing and the preservation of traditional skills, and equally committed to keeping heritage relevant, contemporary and desirable for a new generation of international clients and design professionals. It is the ambition she brings to The Edward Alexander Group: to build on the extraordinary heritage of its brands, strengthen their position in the international luxury market and create a compelling vision for the future.
Her guiding principle remains one that has shaped her career throughout:
“Passion leads to honest and authentic creativity.”
About The Edward Alexander Group
The Edward Alexander Group brings together distinguished British luxury brands, each with its own heritage, expertise and creative identity. Together they represent an exceptional breadth of British decorative craftsmanship.
Collier Webb – At the Collier Webb foundry, lighting, furniture and hardware are designed and hand-crafted to bring contemporary style and originality to any setting. A family business steeped in history and tradition, Collier Webb combines traditional crafts with cutting-edge design and the most up-to-date production techniques, earning a reputation for excellence with many of the world’s most highly regarded interior designers and architects.
Gainsborough – Established in 1903 in Sudbury, Suffolk, Gainsborough is one of Britain’s last remaining jacquard weaving mills and holds a Royal Warrant as manufacturer of furnishing fabrics to HM The King. Its expertise encompasses bespoke weaving, restoration and the creation of exceptional fabrics for prestigious interiors.
George Spencer Designs – Founded in the 1940s and one of Britain’s longest-established fabric houses, George Spencer Designs are curators and purveyors of only the most beautifully produced fabrics, wall coverings and trimmings, operating from their showroom at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour as well as online. Frequently featured in high-end magazines including The English Home, The World of Interiors and Country Life, they provide expertise to the interior design industry, offering furnishings and accoutrements that are sophisticated, luxurious and timeless.
Heritage Trimmings – Founded in 1991 to create the gold, silver and silk passementerie for the restoration of the King’s Apartments at Hampton Court Palace, Heritage Trimmings continues to design and make its specialist trimmings at its workshop in Derby for distinguished interiors around the world. It holds a Royal Warrant as manufacturer of fine furnishing trimmings to HM The King.
Titley and Marr – Founded in 1984, Titley and Marr is a celebration of the art of pattern and colour and the craft of fine fabrics. Its quintessentially English woven and printed designs are created in-house and made in the UK and Europe from natural materials including wool, cotton and linen.
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