Charlotte Kaufmann

Weaver

©Charlotte Kaufmann

Bringing textile techniques together

Charlotte designs textiles for haute couture and interior design
She has worked in Mumbai developing embroidery collections
She is developing luxury accessories with weavers in Indian Kashmir

Charlotte Kaufmann designs unique textiles where hand weaving, needlework embroidery and bobbin lace interact. Changing the use of a technique, moving a material out of its primary field of application, or working on a new scale, are the foundations of her work. She opened her textile design studio in 2016 to develop what she had learned from working on collections for tailor made haute couture and interior design projects. She regularly collaborates with designers and craftsmen to create projects that combine excellence and innovation. Charlotte also lends her expertise to the development of exclusive models. From sampling to prototyping and small series production, all stages are mastered in the workshop.

Interview

©Charlotte Kaufmann

©Charlotte Kaufmann

What did you learn from your experience in India?: Following my diploma, I was selected to go to India to train in embroidery thanks to the support of the Culture and Diversity Foundation and UNESCO. Meeting Indian master craftsmen was a real shock; I learned that everything is possible, once you master techniques. It was also a great lesson in humility.
What do your tools represent to you?: I have a very contemporary vision of my profession and the tools I use. What I like is that they have existed since the dawn of time, but they are still relevant. For me, the tools of the craftsman are tools of expression, of creation, that anchor know-how in today's world.
Can you describe your creative process?: The hand is at the centre of my weaving work. It animates the woven surface and gives a recognisable organic and spontaneous vibration to my collections. I see weaving as a tool of expression where materials respond to each other and where the palette of textures is infinite.
How do you innovate?: In embroidery I like to change the scale of my work and mix techniques or materials that have nothing to do with each other, mixing carpet techniques with embroidery, for example, in order to open up the field of possibilities and innovate.

Charlotte Kaufmann is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2011 and he started teaching in 2019