Allan and Roger Walton were brothers who set up Allan Walton Textiles in 1931. Allan was educated as an architect and went on to study at various art schools. Their family owned a mill in Manchester so they knew the textile industry. They commissioned artists such as Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell to produce screen printed fabrics.
Allan worked for the Edinburgh Weavers as well and a member of the Council of Industrial Design and was about to take up a position as a Professor at the Royal College of Art when he unfortunately died.
By combining the new technique of screen printing with innovative artists creating their designs Allan Walton Textiles were able to produce very unique and interesting textile designs. They promoted their work through exhibitions and as they were producing high end textiles were able to utilise expensive fabrics such as velvet, rayon/cotton mixes which had reflective qualities as well as linens. The print styles were highly decorative and promoted new young graduates as well as contemporary artists. During the economic slump of the 1930s many artists turned to designing to make an income.
The colour palettes are varied but because they utilised screen printing they were able to use blocks of colour, previously not achievable in printed designs. Each artist had their own style. The Victoria and Albert Museum hold the Copac archive which comprises of photographs and samples of fabric from the Allan Walton Textiles collection. The photographs are in black and white but you can clearly see the motifs. The fabric samples show a colour range that used an assortment of colours but not particularly bright colours.