Pauline Clotail

Ligne Méridienne

Textile dyer

©Gabrielle Gayraud

©Luisa Gracieux

©Emmanuelle Braun

©Gabrielle Gayraud

Textiles as window decoration

Pauline works textiles by applying ancient Korean techniques
She uses only local ingredients to dye her fabrics
Her practice connects interior decoration and textile design

From upholstery to textile finishing and natural dyeing, Pauline Clotail explores her love for fabrics by combining different skills. Right after studying literature, she remembers thinking about her grandfather who was a watchmaker, and suddenly felt the desire to return to a profession that would reconnect her with materials and manual work. She therefore specialised in seat upholstery. Before long, her fondness for natural fabrics inspired her to learn the age-old techniques of plant dyeing. Today, Pauline brings these two disciplines together and concentrates her work on the creation of delicate net curtains made according to the Korean Bojagi method. Fine pieces of fabric are delicately sewn together, and when placed over openings, they gently play with the light.

Interview

©Gabrielle Gayraud

©Emmanuelle Braun

What led you to working with textiles?: I began by studying literature at university, and more specifically the correspondence between written and visual arts. Then, I wanted to combine my theoretical knowledge with the material, so I decided to train in upholstery. This eventually led me to textile design, and more specifically to natural dyeing.
What field do you specialise in today?: I specialise in the creation of net curtains, which I call 'stained glass textile'. I use the ancestral Korean technique known as Pojagi or Bojagi. It is a textile panel made up of several pieces of fabric (usually quite thin) sewn together. The fabric can be dyed or left natural.
What inspired you to apply this technique?: I have always been very inspired by ancient Asian traditions, particularly Japanese and Korean. Whether it is the oriental aesthetic, interior design, furniture elements, ancient natural dyeing techniques, or hand sewing, many aspects of their traditions inspire me.
What do you enjoy most about your working process?: The combination of skills, creating unique pieces and the technical skills required for each gesture. And there are also the failures, the mistakes that can happen and become beautiful accidents. I like to develop other techniques to push the boundaries of the material ever further.

Pauline Clotail is a rising star she began her career in 2016