ABOUT MAIIKE        
         
         
         
         
         

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The vivid textiles of Maiike Soft Things often appear conjured from the most treasured garments of a family wardrobe. Look closely and you’ll discover the dimpled patterns of a baby’s cardigan matched to the weave of a mother’s shawl, or a swath of blue cashmere beside the brown plaid of a child’s winter coat.

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. The soft things Aly Peel creates all suggest familiarity and warmth. Aly gleans her materials from vintage and recycled knitwear that is washed and felted before being recreated as new quilts, cushions, scarves, and children’s soft toys. Great care is taken in matching the colours and textures of the materials that go into each piece, just as the hand finishing gives each work the feel of tailored clothing. Aly also has a genuine interest in sustainable designs and practices. “The process of sourcing materials addresses the need for sustainability, but they’re also giving people something new. People know it’s a one-off, individually made”.
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Aly hails from a family of crafts people and artists (both parents are art and craft teachers, and her three brothers are designers) and her passion for working with materials has been with her since childhood. Aly graduated in fashion design and has worked for many years in the industry. She is attracted to the idea of creating high quality pieces of enduring value and draws inspiration from Bliss, Jun Takahashi and Von Sono.
      

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The designs for Maiike Soft Things first occurred to Aly when some of her friends began having babies and she was wondering what gifts she could make. She wanted to create objects that would bring as much pleasure to parents as their children, and were of sufficient quality to be handed down. Since then Aly has had her own family and continues to focus on perfecting the original designs.


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