hand weaving

mrzelj

katarina mrzelj

gallery / shop

Our story

About ME

How to build on, broaden and perfect traditional techniques of weaving represents such a challenge to landscape architect Kataina Mrzelj that she has decided to research the rules and discover different, yet unknown possibilities theoretically and practically. And as the apple does not fall far from the tree – her mother Majda Mrzelj was a designer and a weaver by profession and her father and Majda’s husband Peter Mrzelj carefully and diligently planed and made looms based on the available museum exhibits – it is no wonder that in the Mrzelj family the looms took over the symbolic function of the hearth. Looms became the central point for socializing and for constructive debates. Today the looms are part of Katarina’s home and her studio, they are place of inspiration, creation, joy and work. Majda Mrzelj has retired and does not work anymore, on the other hand her daughter Katarina started weaving in a unique, experimental way by embracing the spirit of the past and bringing it to the present. Although the works of mother and daughter differ both contextually as well as stylistically, the mother focused on tapestry while the daughter is passionate about creating fabric for specific clothes, they both have excellent knowledge of techniques, materials and of weaving as a craft. Many can see and appreciate the knowledge and experience “hidden” in the clothes made by Katarina Mrzelj and many experts openly admit that they cannot understand the technique behind some of her work, done in such a way that there are no deformations or unwanted deviations. Considering that Katarina makes her own fabric instead of buying it, she is certain that the fabric has to be effective in itself.
Nuša Podgornik art historian and art critic 

Continuation of the story

Ethnologist and Professor Janez Bogataj, Ph.D., once noted that one must understand the creations of Majda Mrzelj as the continuing and upgrading of our century-long hand-weaving heritage. So that this would not be just words, I wish – as her daughter, Katarina Mrzelj – to continue or better yet to transfer these weaving skills to the present generation. After graduating (in 1995) from Industrial design on Secondary School for Design and Photography in Ljubljana, I started studying landscape architecture and got my degree in 2003. I am a member of the Slovenian Designers Society.
Because hand weaving and everything connected to it has been with me ever since I was little, I see in this a great opportunity to try to give a new form to the old way of working with hand-woven fabric, adapted to the modern man.
Each weft placed in the weaving opening is subject to the will of the weaver, to his mood. The fabric can be thick woven as an old cloth or transparently light as fisherman’s net. Either the relief or the smooth surface are emphasized. In each product, one can trace the reflection of the designer’s thought, as shown by the woven fabric texture.

OUR STORY – the beginnings

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why mrzelj woven’s

all products are UNIQE and HANDMADE

natural, skin-friendly materials (linen, cotton …)

airy and loose creations

simple lines

perfect fit

embossed weaving

texture emphasis

preservation of tradition

easy maintenance

ENTRY TO THE GALLERY OF
HAND WEAVING MRZELJ

Besides the cuts of the clothes, which show or hide just as much as necessary, the author’s confident style, vision and recognisability speak of stylish elegance for every occasion; of materials which are kind to the skin and easy to maintain, fashion accessories like bags and jewellery, the continuation of tradition kept by our ancestors and of upgrading that tradition at the highest quality levels.

View all items

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happy customers

Mrzelj wovens is targeting women who are either active in life or are passed their most active years and are enjoying the fruits of their labour. They know to appreciate finer things in life and are prepared to invest in them. Our customers do not want clothes mass manufacturing. They want to be unique, different and, of course, to feel comfortable. Even maintenance set in the first place. This is a simple and easy-washing machine.

Dear Katrina, The lovely dress arrived a short time ago with the information regarding your other beautiful work. The dress fits perfectly and feels great on. I Love your designs. Your weaving is interesting and current and totally unique.

I appreciate all of your experience…Thank you!

Sherry Beck

Katarina transforms these wonderfully woven fabrics into garments that look just as good in everyday life as they do at a concert or dinner party! Fantastic!

Verena from Austria

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Everything I put on that comes from Katarina’s magical hands makes me feel beautiful, elegant and special.

Karmen Pepelnjak

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Some thoughts of customers when shopping in my boutique …

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catalog

Get inspired

Mrzelj hand-woven linen clothing attracts and astonishes with its elegant harmony, fairy-like femininity, amiability, naturalness; with its delicate structure and artistic accent of the fabric texture, but also with the natural materials and their primary colors. The author’s sovereign style, her vision and visibility speak of elegance with style for every occasion.