HELLO TRICOTAGE!

Author: Cecilia Posted: February 11th, 2012

We have a few new great additions in Nitty Gritty women´s department this season! One of them is Tricotage, a young Danish brand working only in organic cotton.
Designer duo Karin Bjørneboe and Ida Anesdatter Schmidt started their business in spring 2010, with the aim to design beautiful basics that are easy to wear and made from sustainable materials.

Karin and Ida of Tricotage

Karin and Ida

I wanted to learn a bit more for their arrival at Nitty Gritty, so here´s our a designer Q&A:

C: You make your own prints in the collections, which I think is truly great. Was that always an obvious choice for you, instead of working with already finished prints?

I: Yes! We´re both completely crazy about prints and wanted to make sure we get them exactly right. Cotton jersey and the styles we design are pretty basic, but with our own unique print we build an identity and stand out from other brands.

C: How long does the whole procedure take, from illustration to printed fabric?

I: When we have decided on the collection and how it should look, we send drawings and patterns to Turkey. Then we get samples sent back to us several times depending on corrections in the pattern, colour options and styles. On average, this takes about three months.

Tricotage Tshirt Dress SS12

Tricotage T-shirt Dress, spring/summer collection 2012

C: You only work with organic cotton. Tell us more!

I: For us it is a clear choice to produce organic, but it does present some challenges since organic cotton is much more expensive than regular cotton. We hope that in the future it will become a rule, rather than an exception, that clothes are produced as responsibly as possible.

C: What inspires you?

I: Almost every time we start to do a new collection we enjoy looking at fine Japanese komon patterns from the Seventeenth century. Komon patterns were traditionally used on kimonos, and the motives of the patterns were collected in the wild - such as hailstorms, rain and the change of the seasons.

In urban life, it´s always refreshing to see architecture made of great materials and detailing. The Royal Theatre in Copenhagen is a good example, it´s made of beautiful materials that complements each other. At The Royal Theatre there is a also beautiful large wooden terrace, very much alive and happening during summer and a great source of inspiration.

Komon Kimono, ca. 1940-1960

C: You live and work from Copenhagen. What´s your gems?

I: A really good place to feel the pulse of the city is Dronning Louises Bro (Queen Louise´s Bridge) at the lakes, which recently established a wide pavement with lots of benches. So you can really sit down and enjoy the open view, or glance at all the different types of people that passes by.

If you want to escape the busy centre, it's a good idea to visit the pleasant and slightly secret café Wascator in Nørrebro. It serves good beer. I also recommend their dish of the day, which is composed by a chef trained artist.

If you´re into art, Den Hirschsprungske samling (the Hirschsprung Collection) provides a wonderful time warp. They have the finest collection of art from the Nineteenth century, the museum is a manageable size and apart from all the paintings, there are also beautiful colors on the walls.

Ida, thanks so much for sharing and welcome to Nitty Gritty!

x
Cecilia