All Rounder
'Each day begins with some skipping.' It would be a breach of artistic licence to claim that this is necessarily true for Cecilie Telle herself; however, as she describes a day in the life of a child at a Steiner school, it’s hard to imagine why this relatively esoteric education system is not more widespread. Having taught craft in Steiner schools for some time – today she trains Steiner teachers – and put her own children through the system, Telle is well placed as an ambassador for some of the most progressive classrooms in the land.
Inside Telle's light and airy home – a converted handbag factory – is a kind of creative oasis of thought and production. One corner is taken up by what I at first mistake to be a priceless paper sculpture by Issey Miyake: it is in fact Telle’s 16 year-old daughter’s half-finished homework – formally educated at a Steiner school, she is now a student at the prestigious Brit school. And just a few steps away is Telle’s studio, like a shrine to all things colourful, round and felted. It is easy to see that Telle’s process is the key to all of the ponchos, scarves, gloves, hats, neckwarmers and tea cosies she produces.
With the freedom to play with colour and process, each piece is different and yet so clearly bound aesthetically by Telle’s design. Her pieces – which are all made from 100% British wool – are almost Japanese in their formal simplicity and yet also reminiscent of an African fruit and climate through their colours and shapes. Perhaps this is not surprising; Telle, although born in Norway, has lived in Africa and cites her husband Hiro (who is Japanese) as an inspiration, critic and aid.
Each Steiner lesson has a practical, artistic and intellectual element written into it, making the connection between learning and the process of design an obvious one. Up on the studio wall is a picture taken from Telle’s degree show – a sheep bursting out of its own Fairisle jumper. ‘It was fantastic!’ Cecilie says of her own education – tapestry at the Royal College of Art, and all of a sudden it is clear to see that crucial to a fruitful education, design and lifestyle is a fine tuning of enthusiasm and discipline.
We are delighted to announce that Cecilie Telle will be the first designer maker to join our newly launched Artisan Emporium - to see her latest collection, please visit the Selvedge Shop.
This is an extract from the current issue of Selvedge Magazine.
Inside Telle's light and airy home – a converted handbag factory – is a kind of creative oasis of thought and production. One corner is taken up by what I at first mistake to be a priceless paper sculpture by Issey Miyake: it is in fact Telle’s 16 year-old daughter’s half-finished homework – formally educated at a Steiner school, she is now a student at the prestigious Brit school. And just a few steps away is Telle’s studio, like a shrine to all things colourful, round and felted. It is easy to see that Telle’s process is the key to all of the ponchos, scarves, gloves, hats, neckwarmers and tea cosies she produces.
With the freedom to play with colour and process, each piece is different and yet so clearly bound aesthetically by Telle’s design. Her pieces – which are all made from 100% British wool – are almost Japanese in their formal simplicity and yet also reminiscent of an African fruit and climate through their colours and shapes. Perhaps this is not surprising; Telle, although born in Norway, has lived in Africa and cites her husband Hiro (who is Japanese) as an inspiration, critic and aid.
Each Steiner lesson has a practical, artistic and intellectual element written into it, making the connection between learning and the process of design an obvious one. Up on the studio wall is a picture taken from Telle’s degree show – a sheep bursting out of its own Fairisle jumper. ‘It was fantastic!’ Cecilie says of her own education – tapestry at the Royal College of Art, and all of a sudden it is clear to see that crucial to a fruitful education, design and lifestyle is a fine tuning of enthusiasm and discipline.
We are delighted to announce that Cecilie Telle will be the first designer maker to join our newly launched Artisan Emporium - to see her latest collection, please visit the Selvedge Shop.
This is an extract from the current issue of Selvedge Magazine.