Home alliance with Heal's

The alliance between Heal's and InnovationRCA links the famous Heal's brand heritage with graduate College talent in design and applied art.

The collaboration has a number of elements, including the development of graduate designs into limited-edition collections as part of Heal's Discovers and projects with RCA students based on reinterpreting the Heal's Archives in the V&A for the contemporary market.

In 2006/07, students from the RCA's Department of Textiles worked under the direction InnovationRCA Business Fellow Professor Care Johnston to develop new designs. The award-winning project was by Ella Smith, who updated the Heal's story in printed textiles with flowing graphic shapes combining modern technology with an Art Deco influence.

Heal's chief executive Andrea Warden says: "We're delighted to be working with the RCA and its innovation arm, InnovationRCA. Ever since Heal's opened its first store nearly 200 years ago, we've been at the forefront of contemporary design. Working closely with exciting young RCA designers will keep us in the vanguard."

In recognition of the partnership, Heal's staged its autumn and Christmas collection 2007 Press Show in the Royal College of Art galleries on 12 July.