Nienke Hoogvliet noticed that today’s society thinks of vulnerability as weak, while Nienke thinks it can lead to strength and protection. She sees blankets as a metaphor for the feeling of protection, which is why she designed one fragile and one protective. Skin inspired the design because it borders our inner world from the outside one. One fragile human skin and one thick and rigid elephant skin. The title ‘Hide’ captures it all: conceal, cover and skin.
The blankets’ patterns are drawn by hand, so they are irregular and unique throughout. To capture the organic feel of skin, Nienke worked with natural materials like mohair, linen and cotton. In the grey blanket a fill yarn was used, to give the blanket its thickness and relief. After weaving the grey blankets were steamed with a steaming iron, which activates the fill yarn. A hand-sewn silk border finishes the blankets.
Photography by Holly Marder | Avenue Lifestyle
