Marie Bernadette Woehrl

…in dialogue with Ann Salens

I am excited to announce that I will display my work at “On A Silk Thread: In dialogue with Ann Salens”, an exhibition that will take place in Ercola from the 26th of March until the 6th of April.

Co-curated with other members of the collective, we will present the story of Ann Salens, an internationally known Belgian designer mainly active in the 70s and 80s. Ann is known for her expressive handmade dresses, which we will showcase alongside our own leather designs and wool creations from Napalosa.

Ann Salens

In Ercola: Wolstraat 31, 2000 Antwerpen

Opening evening: Thursday 26/03, 18:00 - 20:00

27, 28 and 29th of March: open from 12:00 to 18:00

3, 4, 5 and 6th of April: open from 12:00 to 18:00

From growing up to managing her own brand, Ann Salens had a turbulent life. But she made this her very raison d’être. Knitting and crocheting all of her experiences together she brought forth bold and one-of-a-kind handmade pieces. Combined with the continuous usage of fringes, it is hard to miss our oddly coinciding view when designing garments.

Although her success grew, she remained true to her artisanal nature. While her approach to producing was more a result of her lifestyle and stubborn character than a conscious political decision, it reminds us today of the relevance of alternative approaches to fashion for a truly diverse and creative industry.

When conversing with locals who possess Ann Salens’ pieces, they will tell you how they treasure them as they got handed down by relatives, making the garments truly precious. In all of this, I look up to Ann Sallens work and aspire to protect the same values as her as I develop my work.

With all of that said, we hope to see you soon during the exhibition!