By Ingrid Keneally
Laerke Bagger is part of the new breed of fashion designers creating wonderfully imaginative and original creations that are reinventing the age-old technique of knitting. Copenhagen-based Bagger, who studied design at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, specializes in hand and machine knit.
by Sibling, Roland Mouret, Victoria Beckham, Giles, Alexander McQueen, and Danish menswear label Soulland, is a hugely important factor in Bagger’s rise to fame with her textile pieces that are both visually captivating and resilient. Bagger contributed a freelance showpiece design for Nike Running, and today, she is continuing to work on her own artistic expression through her brand.
- How do you work with wool?
I love yarn and especially wool. I have a very intuitive approach to working with materials and colours. Whenever I start a new project I lay out all the colours and materials on the floor so that I can get the full perspective.
I then start to combine different kinds of yarn in different colourways taking pictures as I go along. This helps me to visualize and experiment and I love weird and unpredictable combinations regarding both materials and colours.
- Turning-point in your career
I did an internship for Sister by Sibling (London-based knitwear brand) during my time as a student. While I was working for them I knitted a beanie that later ended up on Pharrel Williams in a Terry Richardson shoot. That was pretty awesome.
- Do you think there is anything in your childhood that influenced what you do now?
I come from a family of crafters. My grandmother was a knit whiz and my mother is an amazing embroiderer. She makes these huge medieval tapestries that can take her years to complete. It’s actually through her, that I initially developed an interest in arts and crafts, and when I tried knitting, it was love at first sight.
- If you could name one professional achievement you are most proud of what would it be?
The professional achievement that I’m most proud of is actually just making it as a knitwear designer. It might sound a bit boring, but when you’re so specialized and geeky as I am, the odds are against you.
extremely hard to make that dream come true. And once you start getting recognition for your work it’s simply the best feeling in the world.
- One thing you wish you’d known when you were starting out in the textile industry?
I wish I would have known how many other people share my passion and interest. I felt quite alone in the early years of my career.
- Thoughts on the rise and rise of knitting, crochet and embroidery
Because of the emerging technology, internet, computer science, all the new gadgets and so on, the world is getting both smaller and bigger at the same time and it’s hard to keep up with the fast pace.
In my opinion the craft movement, doing DIY, knitting and crocheting provides a safe haven and a break from all that. It’s about honouring the old and familiar virtues and feeling good about yourself at the same time.
- Dream project
Doing a collection of hand-knitted woolen furs in bright colours and patterns. I went to Morocco a couple of years ago and loved how the beautiful Arabic mosaics dominated the setting everywhere.
That was a huge inspiration for me and I would love to go back and research for a fur collection based on these patterns and colours.
- Influences? Inspiration?
I’m very inspired by tradition and old techniques and I’ve collected old knitting and craft books since I was a teenager. I find that in these books you’re presented with the raw and unstyled way of knitting and it is then up to me to transform it into a contemporary and up-to-date expression.
In addition to this I find a lot of inspiration on instagram, following different artists like @jujujust @katikaart and @deehaim
- Favourite wool item in your wardrobe
A Sister by Sibling beanie in a leopard and Fair Isle pattern with big Minnie Mouse ears in black fox fur. It’s just so expressive, extravagant and fun and is probably the most expensive object in my wardrobe.
Every year when fall is approaching I look forward to wearing it again and because I live in Denmark it’s cold almost all year. Luckily I have the beanie to make up for that.
- How would you describe your workspace?
Very messy and very tidy at the same time. Like many other designers I’m a collector of all things that inspire me. Everything from a newspaper article to a clay bowl with a lovely glaze can jump start an idea for a new design.
So naturally I have to have some sort of system to the chaos. But generally my workspace is very colourful. Colours inspire me a great deal, so I spend a lot of time on organizing my objects and yarn so that it looks beautiful and appealing.
- Best beginner’s task
Definitely a classic and simple raglan jumper knitted in the round. You only have to know how to knit/purl and increase/decrease. And you can’t really fail. If it comes out too small it’s a crop top and if it comes out too big it’s an oversize jumper. Scarves are just too boring.
- Favourite KPC Yarn
I’m very much into colour scales and gradients and I’m obsessed with pinks and blues right now. Especially the pink/red and blue scales of Glencoul and Gossyp 4ply. The colours are just so bright and appealing you almost wish you could eat them.