Kimono
“Kimono” simply means “the thing to wear”. For years, I have admired the depth of traditional Asian textiles… the materials, embroidery, dyeing techniques, inventiveness, and interpretation of nature and faith…
How We Think About Sustainability at Studio Twist
We can all agree that sustainability is an increasingly important conversation in the hospitality industry (and beyond). But it’s also a conversation that’s fraught with misunderstanding and misrepresentation, which makes…
New Perspectives, 10 Years In
Earlier this year, I kicked off our “Decennium” by reflecting on the journey that led me into a lifetime of textiles (and ten years of Studio Twist). Now I’m looking ahead…
Reflections on 10 Years of Studio Twist, and a Lifetime of Textiles
Ten years ago this month, Studio Twist was born. What started as a one-off project grew into another, then another, and eventually turned into a full-fledged business. So, this month…
Mad for Plaid
To understand how plaid has been a part of my life since childhood, one could look no further than our circa-1963 family , in which my entire family is plaid-clad:…
Revisiting Women’s Work – Asia, India and Australia
Earlier in the year, we packed our bags and took you on a whirlwind tour from Ghana to Peru, exploring some of the history of these places through the lens…
Thanks, It Has Pockets
If I've learned anything after years of working with textiles, it's that the smallest, most subtle details often tell the most interesting stories, from the colorways chosen in a garment…
Mending in the Mountains
Everyone’s experience of the pandemic is different, but none of us will forget 2020 any time soon. Some of us were fortunate to make it through the last year and…
What’s in a Red Dress?
Around the world, people have used textile crafts to honor deities, memorialize events, and honor their leaders and ancestors. Textiles preserve our history, and they tell a story. Color plays…
Revisiting “Women’s Work” – The Americas
Back in March, we revisited one of our most memorable collections, Women’s Work: our tribute to the craftsmanship and technical artistry of textile workers around the globe and through the…
Knitting for Victory – Now and Then
Over the past year and a bit, many people have returned to crafting. We all have a bit more time, and for many, working on a hand-made piece provides a…
Three Pioneering Women in Textiles
As a self-described “textile junkie”, my interests and inspirations vary widely — sometimes I find inspiration in my travels or visits to museums, sometimes it’s quite literally in my own backyard.…
Celebrating Crafts(wo)manship: Our Award-Winning “Women’s Work” Collection
The month of March is Women’s History Month, but like so many women-led companies, we honor women’s accomplishments all year long. One of the most memorable ways we’ve done this…
A Different March Anniversary
For many of us, the month of March marks a sobering anniversary: one full year of living inside our own four walls during the pandemic. But for me, March brings…
Museum Hours – Part Two
As I wrote last month, there are few places that bring me greater pleasure than museums. To me, there’s just nothing like wandering around gazing at great art in another…
Counting our Blessings this Holiday Season
It's safe to say that this holiday season will be unlike any we've ever experienced. Between the threat of the virus, the potential dangers of travel, the need to protect…
Museum Hours – Part One
Museums have always been a source of inspiration for me. Getting an art degree (which often involves hours of staring at slides and memorizing artists and dates) will do this…
Travel on My Mind
These days, my inbox is filled with travel offers. These emails suggest I do things like plan a getaway weekend, or get on a river cruise, or fly to the…
Back to the Future
As we look for inspiration and comfort in the current times, returning to family craft traditions has been a healing and welcome creative outlet for many. Online craft classes abound,…
As Our Industry Fluctuates, Hospitality Remains
It’s no stretch to say the hospitality field, like the rest of the world, has been turned upside down as of late. In this extra time I’ve suddenly found myself…