Our Process
About Weitzner
Our Process
About Weitzner
Discover
Every product begins with an inspiration.
A glimmer of an idea might come from a museum exhibit, a book in our beautiful library, a store window display or the sleeve of a well-loved coat. Every season, we venture outside the city on a field trip to take in fresh sites and commune with nature. From our travels, we share pictures, artifacts, and musing that open our minds to new possibilities.
"When we begin by using our hands, the end product feels that much more soulful and connected."
-Lori Weitzner
Design
Our “white box sanctuary” in Chelsea, New York City is where inspiration and creativity come together. We brainstorm, philosophize, drink tea, listen to music, and explore ideas in material form. We are all artists, albeit old fashioned in our approach - most everything originates from the hand. This could mean spending a day drawing, painting, making stencils or collaging torn paper. We might fire up our sewing machine, or turn our kitchen into a darkroom to make prints. Here is where our creative energy is on full display; where the light and breathing space allows us to create alchemy.
Develop
We then collaborate with sources large and small from all over the world, from a historic mill in Italy to a grassroots operation in the mountains of Nepal. We think macro and micro, delving into the details of color, material and construction. Balancing practical elements with aesthetic concerns, we bring products to market that are beautiful, functional, and imbued with a sense of soul.
Cultural Sustainability
Throughout my career, I have devised and utilized many methods of textile creation. Innovation and a dedication to sustainability is one of the great rewards- and obligations- that belong to us as textile designers. However, in my experience, no machine or other mechanized form of textile production has ever been able to replicate the beauty, richness and unmistakable uniqueness of hand-made. They bear the marks of their makers through their variations and imperfections, which foster a human connection often missing in our industry. I feel it is critically important that we preserve the craft of hand-making textiles by creating opportunities for the artists who do it and by cultivating an appreciation for their talents and techniques.