From Traditional Åkle to Contemporary Recouture

About the book

Åkle – Brotkvitel, brautåkle, bråkvit(e)l, teppe explores the rich Norwegian tradition of åkle textiles – their patterns, techniques, history and place in our cultural heritage.

The book is written by Elin Alver, Marta Kløve Juuhl, Rannveig Reigstad and Kristi Skintveit, with Randi Andersen as editor and Torill Geelmuyden as photo editor and photographer.

What makes it particularly inspiring to me is that the book not only looks back at the history of these remarkable textiles, but also shows how the tradition can continue to evolve and find new expressions today.

I’m incredibly proud to share that my work has been featured in a book about ÅKLE – Norway’s beautiful tradition of woven and embroidered textile art.

The book includes my jacket made from a vintage åkle, transforming a textile once created for the home into a garment that can be worn, loved and carried into a new chapter.

There is something very special about seeing this particular Recouture piece included in a book dedicated to the history and tradition of åkle.

For me, this is exactly what Recouture is about: honouring what already exists while allowing it to become something new.

Traditional textiles carry so much more than beautiful patterns and colours. They carry craftsmanship, culture, memories and the hands of the people who made them. Rather than leaving these treasures hidden away in cupboards or forgotten in storage, I love exploring how they can become relevant again – without losing their story.

As the book so beautifully describes it, this is an “åkle that wanders out” – no longer travelling from bed to wall, but out into the world.

And I think that might be my favourite description of this jacket yet.

Seeing my work documented alongside Norwegian textile traditions makes me both proud and grateful – and even more inspired to keep giving remarkable old textiles new adventures.

From heritage to something you can wear.
From something preserved to something lived in.
From åkle to Recouture.