Five Minutes with a Friend: Paola Pellino
What is your first memory of textiles?
My mother was a seamstress, and I spent my childhood playing beside her sewing machine. Wedding dresses were her specialty—magnificent creations that reflected her clients' personalities. I vividly remember two gowns in particular: one was a 19th-century-inspired cream wool crepe dress, with a bodice adorned in handmade ribbing and lace inserts. Instead of a traditional veil, the bride wore a brimmed cap typical of that era. The other was a white silk double-crepe suit with a short jacket, high elastic cuffs, a large cap, and wide palazzo pants—a bold and scandalous choice for a bride at the time.
Every client brought a new journey of imagination and creativity, beginning with glossy magazines, moving through the selection of fabrics, fittings, and culminating in the final delivery. It was a magical process, now lost to the mists of time.
Can you describe what you love about textiles?
I’m drawn to natural fabrics and their tactile feel—each material has its own sound under my fingers. I especially love old fabrics, particularly those that show signs of use. Holes, rips, and wear intrigue and inspire me. Recently, I visited Japan and bought some antique Boro scraps, pieces rich with history.
For me, flaws and wear in textiles tell a story. Rather than hiding them, I highlight these imperfections, giving the fabric a unique, exclusive value. It’s like placing a signature on the fabric—a personal mark that’s hard to let go of. This philosophy connects to ideas of rebirth, rediscovery, and falling in love with something all over again.
Where is your most inspiring place to create?
Definitely my studio, which I’ve just renovated and painted in a soothing blue-green. It’s a bright, relaxing space with a large wooden table from India. A cupboard with blue and white paper-covered doors holds my fabrics and tools. I have a comfortable armchair where I work on small projects, accompanied by music, podcasts, and a good cup of tea. Occasionally, I need to travel, visit art exhibitions, or immerse myself in nature to refresh my mind and find inspiration.
What has inspired you recently?
Recently, I had the opportunity to fullfill a long-time dream: a two-day intensive indigo dyeing workshop during my trip to Japan. Immersing my arms in the dye vats, feeling the fabric under my fingers, and watching the indigo transform under light and air was an amazing experience. Each piece of fabric responded differently, and the process was nothing short of magical.
What is your most cherished textile, and why?
I have to distinguish between what I love to wear and the fabrics I enjoy working with. My go-to outfit is a pair of old jeans and a cashmere sweater, but I love working with textured fabrics like linen and hemp. The subtle shades of white and their natural texture make them perfect for embroidery. I can never resist hunting for antique linens at markets. In fact, I recently had my sofa upholstered with linen and hemp sheets, and I can’t wait to lounge on it!
Where did you learn your craft?
After leaving my job in fashion, I discovered Tom of Holland, an expert in visible mending, who was offering a workshop in Paris. I was so captivated by his Visible Mending Project that I invited him to Turin to host a workshop in November 2017—the first time visible mending was introduced in Italy. It was a life-changing moment for me. Watching Tom’s precise movements as he mended, I imagined myself in his place, eager to test my own skills.
In those moments, I realised that my mother’s influence was resurfacing in my life—the tenacity, care, love for fashion, beauty, creativity, and craftsmanship that had always guided my choices were leading me down a new path. All of the love I had breathed in, along with the challenges, mistakes, and changes, was showing me that I needed to create something of my own.
Since then, I’ve immersed myself in visible mending, learning and practicing the techniques. I’ve traveled to England and Japan to meet other crafters, gaining inspiration and refining my craft along the way.
Text and images courtesy of Paola Pellino
Paola Pellino will be teaching a Patch Mending on Saturday 26 October 2024. Find out more and book your ticket here.
My mother was a seamstress, and I spent my childhood playing beside her sewing machine. Wedding dresses were her specialty—magnificent creations that reflected her clients' personalities. I vividly remember two gowns in particular: one was a 19th-century-inspired cream wool crepe dress, with a bodice adorned in handmade ribbing and lace inserts. Instead of a traditional veil, the bride wore a brimmed cap typical of that era. The other was a white silk double-crepe suit with a short jacket, high elastic cuffs, a large cap, and wide palazzo pants—a bold and scandalous choice for a bride at the time.
Every client brought a new journey of imagination and creativity, beginning with glossy magazines, moving through the selection of fabrics, fittings, and culminating in the final delivery. It was a magical process, now lost to the mists of time.
Can you describe what you love about textiles?
I’m drawn to natural fabrics and their tactile feel—each material has its own sound under my fingers. I especially love old fabrics, particularly those that show signs of use. Holes, rips, and wear intrigue and inspire me. Recently, I visited Japan and bought some antique Boro scraps, pieces rich with history.
For me, flaws and wear in textiles tell a story. Rather than hiding them, I highlight these imperfections, giving the fabric a unique, exclusive value. It’s like placing a signature on the fabric—a personal mark that’s hard to let go of. This philosophy connects to ideas of rebirth, rediscovery, and falling in love with something all over again.
Where is your most inspiring place to create?
Definitely my studio, which I’ve just renovated and painted in a soothing blue-green. It’s a bright, relaxing space with a large wooden table from India. A cupboard with blue and white paper-covered doors holds my fabrics and tools. I have a comfortable armchair where I work on small projects, accompanied by music, podcasts, and a good cup of tea. Occasionally, I need to travel, visit art exhibitions, or immerse myself in nature to refresh my mind and find inspiration.
What has inspired you recently?
Recently, I had the opportunity to fullfill a long-time dream: a two-day intensive indigo dyeing workshop during my trip to Japan. Immersing my arms in the dye vats, feeling the fabric under my fingers, and watching the indigo transform under light and air was an amazing experience. Each piece of fabric responded differently, and the process was nothing short of magical.
What is your most cherished textile, and why?
I have to distinguish between what I love to wear and the fabrics I enjoy working with. My go-to outfit is a pair of old jeans and a cashmere sweater, but I love working with textured fabrics like linen and hemp. The subtle shades of white and their natural texture make them perfect for embroidery. I can never resist hunting for antique linens at markets. In fact, I recently had my sofa upholstered with linen and hemp sheets, and I can’t wait to lounge on it!
Where did you learn your craft?
After leaving my job in fashion, I discovered Tom of Holland, an expert in visible mending, who was offering a workshop in Paris. I was so captivated by his Visible Mending Project that I invited him to Turin to host a workshop in November 2017—the first time visible mending was introduced in Italy. It was a life-changing moment for me. Watching Tom’s precise movements as he mended, I imagined myself in his place, eager to test my own skills.
In those moments, I realised that my mother’s influence was resurfacing in my life—the tenacity, care, love for fashion, beauty, creativity, and craftsmanship that had always guided my choices were leading me down a new path. All of the love I had breathed in, along with the challenges, mistakes, and changes, was showing me that I needed to create something of my own.
Since then, I’ve immersed myself in visible mending, learning and practicing the techniques. I’ve traveled to England and Japan to meet other crafters, gaining inspiration and refining my craft along the way.
Text and images courtesy of Paola Pellino
Paola Pellino will be teaching a Patch Mending on Saturday 26 October 2024. Find out more and book your ticket here.