Soft Mechanics

SOFT MECHANICS (2007 - ongoing) by Marcelo Coehlo.

HINT: Soft machines.

"Soft Mechanics focus on the development of taxonomy of kinetic elements to guide the design of wearable machines. It is primarly focused on aesthetics as well as the shapes and movements of the body. While traditional mechanics are predicated of the physics of hard materials, Soft Mechanics draws its inspiration from the soft surfaces, rich textures ans traditional techniques of textiles."*

*from the book Fashionable Technology by Sabine Seymour.

Spring On

SPRING ON (2007) by Kai Eichen, Marit Mihklepp and Hanna Tiidus.

HINT: Eternal spring.

"The project contains three objects: a carpet, a tablecloth and a pillow. Together they create a relaxing atmosphere of spring, nature, light and warmth. Traditional techniques such as silkscreen printing, embroidering, sewing, felting and weaving were combined with electronics to produce interior design objects. The electronic aspects ate hidden so the piece project a natural and warm feeling while containing a number of surprises."*

*from the book Fashionable Technology by Sabine Seymour.

Prudence Mapstone

Prudence Mapstone, by TEXTILES NOW.

HINT: "From Midnight to First Light"

"Subtle tones of mauve, blue and peach mix together in this freeform hand crocheted and knitted cape."* Inspired by the changes in light this cape was made of wool, mohair, cotton and lurex.

*from the book TEXTILES NOW, by Drusilla Cole.

Helena Hietanen

Helena Hietanen, Helsinki-based sculptor by TEXTILE DESIGNERS.

HINT: Technolace wall hangings.

"Fabricated from strands of optic-fibers, her work combine handicraft traditions and cutting-edge fibre-optic technology to create textiles that transmit light. Hietanen discovered fibre-optics at a trade fair and she discovered how to adapt it to create traditional lace patterns by combining traditional hand craftsmanship with today's technology, which is what she had wanted to do all along."*

*from the book TEXTILE DESIGNERS, at the cutting edge. By Bradley Quinn.

Astrid Krogh

Astrid Krogh, Denmark-based designer, by TEXTILE DESIGNERS.

HINT: Fibre-optic textiles, the visual pulse of light.

"Krogh anchors her designs to new technologies by weaving lenghts of optic strands into iridescent tapestries that glow, illuminate and flare into a rainbow of brilliant colours. 'My work incorporate artificial light but they are not artificial light sources themselves. My work is mostly influenced by the daylight I see outside my window'. "

"Altought Krogh works with hi-tech materials, she relies on traditional techniques to craft her textiles. 'It is very important to me to be able to switch between old craft techniques and new technologies'."*

*from the book TEXTILE DESIGNERS, at the cutting edge. By Bradley Quinn.

Kate Goldsworthy

Kate Goldsworthy, British designer by TEXTILE DESIGNERS.

HINT: Sustainable textiles for decorative applications.

"Kate Goldsworthy is something out of the ordinary, not only because she has passion for sustainable design , but also because she venartes the materials that most textile designers shy away from. 'The materials I use are, in themselves, completely unremarkable; in fact, it is actually their extreme ordinariness that I find so appealing'. "

"The processes I'm developing are inspired by the traditions of lace making, apliqué and marquetry, but also the hi-tech polymer recycling technologies that use experimental surface treatments to 'upgrade' samples mixed-fibre waste."*

*from the book TEXTILE DESIGNERS, at the cutting edge. By Bradley Quinn.

Karen Nicol

Karen Nicol, by TEXTILE DESIGNERS.

HINT: traditional techniques and contemporary expressions.

"Nicol's work can be likened to a witches' brew: an unexpected range of media and eclectic references are the magic ingredients dropped into de pot. Embriodery is a magical mix today, Nicol says, It can be rooted in traditional techniques or contemporary expressions and still take textiles to the cutting edge."

"Nicol's approach has often been described as 'painterly', the 'paintings' she creates are produced by embroidery fabric. Embroidery in not a limit to fabric, thread and haberdashery today, things have really moved on a lot."*

*from the book TEXTILE DESIGNERS, at the cutting edge. By Bradley Quinn.

Clare Tough

Clare Tough, British designer by TEXTILE DESIGNERS.

HINT: traditional techniques in a modern context.

"Tough is considered to be a visionary in constructed textiles. Her collections are characterized by the juxtapositions of oversized, extravagant shapes and streamlined, body-hugging silhouettes embellished with clever details."

The designs fused several different techniques and different types of yarns to create richly textured rings and net-like panels. "There are many different combinations of materials and techniques I could experiment with."*

*from the book TEXTILE DESIGNERS, at the cutting edge. By Bradly Quinn.