Léna Perraguin

Impressif

Weaver

©Romain Barbé

Transforming rye straw

Léna adapts old techniques to current trends
She embraces imperfections in her process
She wants to re-humanise textiles

Following a career in the design industry, Léna Perraguin decided to open her own workshop to start her craft weaving business. After launching her studio in 2018, the graduate from Ensci-Les ateliers in Paris, signed her first natural linen solo collection for interior decoration. Her style ingeniously adapts the technique of arm weaving on a loom and various braiding techniques inspired by basketry and macramé to result in tailor made creations. She specialises in weaving and braiding French rye straw for interior decoration and packaging, taking inspiration from ancestral textile techniques of different cultures. Her work expresses the natural beauty of raw materials, revealing their true nature, strength, and sensitivity.

Interview

©Romain Barbé

©Romain Barbé

Why did you decide to become a weaving artist?: It allows me to have a close relationship with the material by linking technique and creativity. It is possible for me to create a textile structure from different materials. Since the field of application is endless, I can work on objects or on flat surfaces.
How did you get acquainted with your craft?: I really started working with textiles during my master’s degree where I learned the work of mesh, dyeing and pattern cutting, although I always leaned more towards the technique of weaving on a hand loom.
How important is it to work with local materials?: I work with local materials as much as possible such as wool, flax and rye straw grown in France as well as European hemp. It is important for me to revalue small textile producers who are experts and passionate about their professions (from cultivation to spinning).
What do you consider as something "well done"?: To create an object or a material that carries the meaning and values of its maker while showing a mastery of the technique. It’s important to know yourself and to take the time to know the message you want to convey through your creations.

Léna Perraguin is a rising star: she began her career in 2018