Illustrator bringing cycling magic of Le Tour to people’s homes

The many ingredients that make the county’s countryside so iconic feature on a special Tour de Yorkshire wallpaper, launched yesterday by manufacturer Graham & Brown.

Illustrator Jess Hogarth’s design includes buildings inspired by the Arthington viaduct, near Otley, Betty’s in York and Lishman’s butchers in Ilkley.

The 25-year-old, who is based in Whitby, was one of 13 young designers chosen to create a wallpaper pattern for the company as part of its effort to champion emerging British talent.

“The brief was pretty open and I wanted to stay true to my roots as most of my surface pattern designs are inspired by where I live on the coast. I couldn’t think of anything better than doing something around the Tour de France,” she said.

“I drove round the route taking photographs and then I read an interview with Gary Verity, of Welcome to Yorkshire, about how they secured the bid. That really fired me up.”

The Tour de Yorkshire wallpaper costs £26 a roll and is available as part of the New Wave Collective designs at www.grahamandbrown.com.

Ms Hogarth added: “I want it to be enjoyed by people and I’ve already had some great feedback from cyclists and cycle groups on Twitter.

“Most of all it’s a testament to Yorkshire for hosting this massively exciting race.”

Since founding her label, Jessica Hogarth Designs, from her coastal studio in 2011, she has established herself as one of North Yorkshire’s most promising emerging designers.