About niki

The Journey - Motivated by Colour

Niki graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 1987 with a Master of Arts degree and went on to work in the design industry specifying contemporary furniture, lighting and artworks for public and private projects in Scotland. 

Cafe interior specified by Niki Fulton Gubi Stools Artemide light

She became increasingly interested in the use of colour as a powerful design tool and created a colour palette for a paint company's interior range. This was awarded a Living etc Loves logo in 2010. She also writes about colour theory and has spoken about colour harmony at Grand Designs Live at London’s ExCeL. 

Niki soon developed an interest in surface pattern and it was at this point, she met Solii Brodie, owner of a fabric printing company. Solii encouraged Niki to print her designs onto local linens and silks. She was also introduced to Kalopsia Collective, a manufacturing facility in Edinburgh which helped prototype the necktie collection giving the confidence to then have the prints manufactured by one of Britain's oldest tie makers.

From early in the project, Gordon Miller of Scot Street Style, was very enthusiastic of the brand and launched the ties in Brooklyn, New York City in 2015. By this time, the ties were being stocked in several independent stores and galleries in the UK. Niki then joined Creative Edinburgh  an organisation that helps creatives collaborate and connect - another pivotal moment in the growth of the business. She was encouraged by Craft Scotland to expand into trade shows and advised by the Cultural Enterprise Office into developing the project further. Scotland Re;Designed an international platform for Scottish Fashion invited Niki to exhibit with them which helped reach a larger audience. Scottish Enterprise gave invaluable advice during 2018 and ACID (Anti Copying in Design) continue to be of great help and support with design protection and Intellectual Property rights.

The first trade show Niki took part in was Top Drawer , January 2017, where Charlotte Abrahams  invited her to exhibit in the 'Spotted' section. 

In February 2017, Niki undertook a commission called Love Design, for Dr. Stacey Hunter, director of Local Heroes Design . The exhibition was showcased in the G&V Hotel, Edinburgh 2017.

In September 2018, the Eclipse Tie and Breton Signal silk scarf were selected by the V&A Dundee for their Ocean Liners Exhibition Shop.

In 2019, the Royal Academy of Arts selected the Horizon Collection for their shop at the Royal Academy of Arts, London.

In March 2019, Ryan James Studio launched the Horizon Collaboration in their menswear store in Glasgow, an event which was sponsored by Ardbeg whisky.

In April 2019, the Horizon Collection was exhibited at Scottish Design in Japan at Watanabe & Co's five stores in Tokyo, Japan. 

Niki is extremely grateful to the many people and organisations who have helped the brand grow.

The company name, unifiedspace Ltd, is used for interiors projects and her own name, niki fulton, for the range of neckware. 

This is a short video where Niki talks through her design process.

Publications

Prima Magazine, Interviewed, September 2009

Red Magazine, Interviewed, October 2009

Homes & Interiors Scotland Magazine, Interviewed, October 2010

Elle Decoration, Product Photograph, November 2010

The Wallpaper History Review, Article by Niki Fulton, Special Issue 2011/12

Asian Global Impact Magazine, Art Photograph,  November 2012

Languages of Colour edited by Alexandra Loske, The Frogmore Press, Art Photographs, 2012

Sul Filo Di Lino e Di Canapa, issue 12, European Confederation of Flax and Hemp. Printed linen homewares, February 2015

BOTA Magazine, Edinburgh College of Art. Art Photograph, May 2015

The Skinny, Beyond Pattern by Dr.Stacey Hunter, October 2017

The Herald Business HQ, Summer 2018, issue 6

The Insider, Interview, October 2018.

The Herald, Luxury Edinburgh, Trendy Trimmings, December 2018

The Herald, Luxury Edinburgh, Interview, 'Hot Under The Collar'. November/December 2018 issue

The Sunday Times, Have a Luxurious Little Christmas Time, 18th November 2018

The Skinny, Mistletoe and Design by Local Heroes, Issue 159, December 2018

The Herald Magazine, Sail away with Me, April 20th 2019 

The Herald Luxury Magazine, Party Time, Nov/Dec 2019 

The Skinny, #GIFTED, December 2019 Issue 171

The List, Twelve Independent Scottish Designers You Should Know About 4th Nov 2020

Living, Rock, Paper, Scissors, Artist and Designer Niki Fulton's Inspirations. Dee & Don, Autumn 2021

The Times, Christmas Gift Guide 2021 by Natasha Radmehr, 26th November 2021 

Public Speaking

‘Colour Harmony’, Grand Designs Live, Excel, London, 2010

Exhibitions / Shows

Printed & Co Showcase, Kalopsia Collective Gallery, Edinburgh, February 2015.

Fruitmarket Gallery Design Market, Edinburgh, June 2015

Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) Crafted, Dundee, December 2015

Fruitmarket Gallery Design Market, Edinburgh, June 2016

Craft Scotland Summer Show, Edinburgh, August 2016

Scotland Re;Designed, Paisley Make, Paisley Abbey, September, 2016

Flock, Woodend Barn, Banchory, November 2016

Top Drawer , Olympia London, January 2017

Local Heroes, Love Design, G&V Hotel, February 2017

Fruitmarket Gallery Design Market, Edinburgh, June 2017

Best of Britannia, Old Truman Brewery, London, October 2017

Hypermarket curated by Trakke , SWG3, Glasgow, December 2017

Handmade in Britain, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, August 2018

Handmade in Britain, Chelsea, London, November 2018 

Lollipop-up, Edinburgh, November 2018

Local Heroes Design, Edinburgh, December 2018 

Scottish Design in Japan, Watanabe & Co, Tokyo, April 2019

The New Ashgate Gallery , Surrey, Autumn Exhibition, September - December 2019

Flock 2019, The Barn Arts, Banchory. 15th - 17th November 2019

Art Open House, Edinburgh 7th & 8th December 2019

Certificates/Awards

Special Feature Stand at 100% Design 2009

Natural Colour System (NCS), Colour Specification 2012, Colour Contrast for Part M 2012, Colour Management for Brands and Products 2012

Colour Group GB, Special Merit for Colour Group Logo Design 2012

Finalist, Herald Fashion Awards, 2017

V and A Speed and Style exhibition poster and Breton Signal Scarf

Royal Academy of Arts London and Moss Silk Tie