Evelyn Toomistu

Glove maker

Warming up an original accessory

Evelyn sees gloves as a miniature work of art worn on the hand
Her gloves are of a unique cut but sewn in the traditional way
The aesthetics of keeping warm inspire her to innovate

Evelyn Toomistu is Estonian, which means she is familiar with the cold, the snow, and Nordic cosiness. She trained as a professional leather designer at the Art Academies in Tallinn and Stuttgart, and became fascinated by the haptic dimension of leather. It was a mix of this interest in material and her desire to keep warm that led Evelyn to pick up glove making. She sews all her gloves by hand which gives her the independence to practice her craft anywhere. Evelyn does have a place of her own – a studio in Frankfurt where she creates original gloves sent to all four corners of the world. "I like that the result is quick. Unlike, say, architects for whom the process of creating takes years, I can enjoy gloves I make the same day," she says.

Interview

How did you come to your craft?: I studied leather design and leather art in Tartu, Estonia, graduating in 2001, and the glove collection was my final thesis. In Estonia, it can be -25°C in the winter, so gloves are unavoidable. I wanted to protect and warm my hands while keeping the aesthetic and haptic freedom.
How did you become interested in leather?: It started as a child when I was about five or six years old. My mother had very long, very soft gloves that I really liked. She used to say that these gloves were made of swan skin. I used to fit them secretly, and I was fascinated by the texture, the softness and smoothness of the leather.
Do you use any special techniques?: As you can see from the pre-stitch, my gloves are hand sewn. I can sew my gloves anywhere, just like before when gloves were sewn at home. Another special thing is that I am experimenting with cuts such as half-mittens.
What is your relationship with tradition and innovation?: The relationship with tradition is how I make gloves, using the ancient way of making them – hand sewing. Innovation is in the new things I bring to the table. In a sense, the cut makes the gloves contemporary.

Evelyn Toomistu is a master artisan: she began her career in 2001 and she started teaching in 2001