Ollie Zwitserlood is a producer of beautiful knitwear who is curiously little known in Holland. Which is why she sells almost her entire stock at Origin in London, each fall. I have known and admired her since 1990 when I was a journalist and wrote an article about Dutch knitwear artists for Elsevier. You can find an ealier post about Ollie here.
Ollie lives in Lanaye, a quiet French speaking village in Belgium, across the border from Maastricht. Fom August 2011 her studio will be back in Maastricht (Hondstraat 12). All info can be found on Ollie Zwitserlood’s website. On to the interview!
How would you describe the work you do?
I design, make and sell knitted garments. For men as well as for women – but my customers are mainly women.
What does your average work day look like?
First I walk our dog Loca along the river Maas, that flows in front of our house. Then I climb up to the attic where my studio is.
I have to admit I don’t work every day. I once heard Peter van Straaten (a famous Dutch illustrator) say: ‘I work when there is nothing else to do.’ That goes for me, too. I love to work but I do let myself get distracted by all the nice things that come along. I catch up in the evenings or over the weekends.
My preferred knitting time is at morning, when I am still fresh and wide awake, because mistakes happen easily. Next I take out the dog again and spend the afternoon sewing parts together. By hand. I can do that wherever I am and if at all possible I will take the work outside.
What do you like best about your work?
I love to create things. They often happen to be cardigans and sweaters, but doing other chores can make me very happy too. Mending the garden gate or making a lampshade.
The garden gate
Lampshade, detail
Of course I chose to make knitted garments for a good reason: as pieces of clothing they give this lovely warmth and comfort, downright cosoling at times. I love the moment of putting on a cardigan, that moment when a hot day has finally cooled down.
By using different yarns I can make suitable garments for each season.
Where did you learn for it?
I went to the Stadsacademie in Maastricht, studying Design and Fashion. I regret not having had a textile education proper: I actually have no interest in fashion.
Ollie Zwitserlood at work in her studio
Can we see your studio?
Where do your find inspiration?
Inspiration is everywhere: in nature, in pictures, in things I collect or in a customer’s request.
My designs evolve slowly. I make basic clothing, simple and timeless.
Honestly I really make the cardigans I want to wear myself. So how much inspiration do I need?
Tags: cardigan, interview, knitted garments, knitting, knitwear, lampshade, maastricht, ollie, studio, sweaters, zwitserlood
Oh my, LOVE her work and LOVE her lifestyle. It’s so rare to meet someone else who enjoys and puts so much beauty into the every day, like mending a garden gate. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful work, nice to read about her! Love the lampshade!
Great post Kitty! I wish I could sit down with her for an afternoon and just talk about the way she creates. It would be fun to do that with you, Kathryn, Sophie…a group of other artists. Ahhhhhh, it’s good to dream.
Hiya Lari! Why does this need to remain a dream? Sign up for Google plus (I will invite you) and add us all to your circle of artist friends. Whenever you guys are ready we’ll ‘hang out’ – a video conferencing feature in Google Plus that is very easy to handle. Let’s find a time window that fits us all, it would be fun!