V&A and Petit Pli | Q&A with Amelia Calver

We spoke with Amelia Calver, Research & Development Manager for V&A Brand Licensing, to discuss the ideas behind our collaboration and its role in inspiring curious LittleHumans.

Designed in collaboration with the V&A, this limited-edition collection celebrates the power of creativity and invites families to embrace curiosity and discovery. Each expandable garment features a print adapted from artworks by Katsushika Hokusai, Kathleen Kersey and Mary Yonge. Together, these pieces guide LittleHumans through design history, with playful hidden-in-the-scene details tucked between the pleats.

Amelia Calver is the Research & Development Manager in the V&A's Brand Licensing department. With over twenty years of working with international teams of creatives and designers on trend-driven briefs, finding inspiration for a wide range of products, she has cultivated an impressive familiarity with the V&A's extensive collection, particularly of the fabric and wallpaper designs from around the world that have been acquired during the Museum's 173-year old history.

Could you tell us a bit about the V&A and what makes it such a special place for creativity and learning?

The V&A’s story began in the mid-19th century, funded by profits from the Great Exhibition of 1851 - a celebration of Britain’s artistic and industrial achievements. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, had a bold vision: to create a museum that made art and design accessible to all, not just the privileged few. And we still live by that mission today. We continue to collect new objects every year, and we continue to inspire. From textiles, dress and ceramics to silverware and the world’s greatest collection of Indian art outside the southern hemisphere, the Museum is a living record of craftsmanship and creativity across cultures. What makes our work special is that every profit we make goes straight back into the V&A - helping to fund exhibitions, research, conservation and future acquisitions that keep us the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance.

Petit Pli was born at Imperial and the RCA, and its garments now live in the V&A’s archive. What makes this collaboration exciting for the V&A?

We seek out licensees who share our values and design vision. Together, we explore their markets, understand their audiences and develop products that combine their creativity with the V&A’s design legacy. Each collaboration is a meeting of minds - our team’s expertise, the brand creatives’ innovation and our licensees’ manufacturing skills and craftsmanship. The results are products that are beautiful, functional and full of personality.

Could you share a bit about the origins of these prints or designs, Are there any details or motifs in the print that you find especially interesting?

From each corner of the Museum, across its diverse curatorial departments, a selection of designs has been assembled for the V&A Petit Pli range, showcasing a rich variety of works on paper. These include a sumptuous 19th-century tapestry design from the Arts and Crafts Movement, a fashionable dress fabric pattern designed in the 1960s-70, as well as a fascinating demonstration of an illustrator’s technique, highlighting the art of drawing in a single stroke. Each piece offers a unique insight into the creative processes and craftsmanship.

What I always find fascinating about the V&A’s collaborations with designers and manufacturers is how they transform its vast collections into something fresh, special and unique. Through these collaborations, the Museum brings its holdings to V&A fans and new audiences, offering designs that echo the artistic value, innovation, history and cultural significance of the objects within its walls. Each product range offers a tangible connection to the V&A's treasures. With bold, colourful designs and striking motifs, each garment serves as a mini canvas, allowing young V&A enthusiasts to carry a piece of the Museum with them.

Our collaboration explores the idea of Patterns in Play, how do you see this design connecting to that theme? What excites you about the prospect of LittleHumans engaging with these artworks?

The patterns in this collection celebrate diversity, curiosity and connection, reminding us that true beauty lies not in uniformity, but in the harmony of differences. They tell stories that span across time and cultures, creating a collection of vibrant design. Featuring a stunning variety of patterns - from whimsical motifs to bold, graphic elements - there’s something for every LittleHuman. These lively, imaginative designs bring art and design into their sphere, sparking creativity and playfulness. Crafted with both quality and kid-friendly appeal, the range seamlessly combines fun and functionality, making it perfect for everyday use or as a thoughtful gift for young fans.

What kind of discoveries do you hope children (and parents!) make when interacting with these designs?

The clothing range beautifully integrates design and learning through play, encouraging children - and their parents - to explore and discover the cleverly produced pieces. Each design has been selected to spark curiosity and creativity, using playful patterns and vibrant colours that invite tactile engagement. Each item is not only visually stimulating but also safe and comfortable for children. The whimsical designs foster imaginative thinking, while the functionality of the clothing and accessories supports active learning, from dressing to interactive play. Parents and children alike can enjoy the subtle lessons in colour recognition, pattern matching and texture exploration, making each interaction a chance to discover something new, all while embracing the joy of functional, aesthetically pleasing design. Each item of clothing has a label that invites the wearer to interact with it by suggesting games to play and information to discover.

Is there a final thought you’d like to leave us with?

The V&A's collection is so great that it sometimes defies easy categorisation, yet there is a coherence that runs through it. It is a treasure trove of creativity, where art not only reflects the past but also vibrantly engages with the present. The artworks serve as bridges, inviting us to explore history in a way that enriches our understanding of the now and propels us forward. By drawing on the works of the 19th and 20th centuries to inform Petit Pli’s contemporary design, the V&A remains true to its mission - to inspire, educate and provide open access to the transformative power of art. The experience is not just about preservation but about fostering a dialogue between eras, igniting innovation and offering a deeper connection to the world around us. It’s thrilling that we can work on collaborations with companies such as Petit Pli.