Melanie Porter, Hand-knit your home !

After 10 years working as a knitwear designer for a number of international fashion brands, in 2008 Melanie Porter turned her expertise to furniture, creating one-off contemporary designs from antiques sourced at auctions and markets across the UK.

Trained at the prestigious Central Saint Martin’s College, Melanie’s ability to create exquisite, textured fabrics which are individually knitted and felted for every project has drawn attention from clients and press all over the world.

First time I meet Melanie Porter was 2 years ago at the London Design Festival 2011. Her exhibition booth was by far one of the best in terms of creativity and color. She was extremely friendly and happy to share her work with all those who paid attention to her designs. I remember that the first question that I've asked was: how long does it take you to knit an armchair ( it was one of her famous Union Jack that I was pointing to ) and I was surprised to hear that it was about a week worth of time. I was imagining at least half a year for that wonderful piece! Then I was curious if she was working on her own or if she gets help from time to time and her answer was unexpected saying that her mum was helping her just with buttons and maybe small accessories like flowers. I could sense there a trace of regret in her voice but that was quickly waved with a funny remark that her partner shares his live with her and the yarn and needles.

At that time she was not as famous as she is now but she had this passion to transform existing furniture into cheerful handmade upholstered work of art. Who would have thought that she was going to exhibit soon in the main window of Natuzzi store in TCR and also open her own brand shop?

"A winning evening for FTCT and British Wool, Wednesday, August 29th, 2012, Designer Melanie Porter

Wednesday 22nd August 2012, FTCT were beneficiary for a very special, ‘Jubilee & Olympic’ themed auction, hosted by chic Italian interiors company Natuzzi, at their Tottenham Court Road Store. Up for grabs was a unique King sofa and two Queen Chairs, both covered in bespoke hand-knitted Union Jack fabric, designed by London based knitwear and interiors designer, Melanie Porter."
     ( www.ftct.org.uk)

Melanie undertakes the entire process herself and everything, from the restoration and upholstering to the individual, crocheted buttons, is done by hand. The result of this incredibly labour-intensive process is a stunning and unique work of art, destined to be a future family heirloom.

Melanie’s work is now sold at outlets worldwide including Lane Crawford in Hong Kong and Wolf & Badger in London.