Alexandra Bissa

Weaver

Modern textiles on traditional looms

Alexandra used to watch her grandmother weave colourful textiles
She works with designers, architects and ethical fashion brands
Her aunt taught her how to weave in Metsovo, Greece

Alexandra Bissa is a textile design artisan who uses her dobby loom to design and weave fashion and homeware products with a modern aesthetic. Following her studies in interior design, she learned the craft of weaving in Metsovo, Greece, and completed an MA in Textile Design at Chelsea College of Arts, London. In 2015, she returned from London to Athens because she wanted to apply her acquired knowledge in her home country. Alexandra’s designs combine the past and the present, craftsmanship and the digital world. “From the first moment I started weaving, I felt complete,” she says. “I wanted to experiment constantly and learn more about the fabrics and the different techniques. Textiles, for me, are the best way to express my creativity.”

Interview

When did you first decide you wanted to be a textile artist?: When I finished my studies, I knew I wanted to get into textiles so I decided to go to Metsovo to learn how to weave. The moment we set up the loom with my aunt and she started showing me how to weave, I got so excited that I instantly knew this was what I wanted to do from then on.
What are your unique skills?: Both my studies in interior design and my training in the traditional weaving of the region of Metsovo in Greece have influenced my weaving design. My experimentation with materials, patterns and different applications of textiles allows me to constantly create a variety of items.
What do you love most about weaving?: Beyond the creation itself, I love the uniqueness of every item you create. A stronger or lighter stroke, or a mistake, is what sets each fabric apart. I also enjoy the interaction with anyone who acquires any of my products; whether it’s a product of my own brand or a custom-made order.
Can you describe a unique moment in your professional life?: The first time I saw my work completed for the Ancient Greek Sandals store in downtown Athens: it is a woven mural covering a 34m2 wall, the design of which is inspired by motifs of ancient Greek culture. Once I could finally enjoy my work as a whole I felt satisfied and complete.

Alexandra Bissa is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2013