London-based designer Donna Wilson makes all manner of knitted objects in her East London studio and dispatches them to the world. From cushions and creatures, to sweaters, scarves and ceramics, Donna Wilson’s designs are playful and funny and have developed a life of their own.
Donna Wilson’s story began in the countryside of Aberdeenshire, England, where she spent her childhood on the family farm developing a love for the natural landscape, wildlife and making things. Using handcrafted techniques, like felting, sewing, knitting, and wrapping, Donna went on to hone her design skills at the Royal College of Art in London. It was there that she knitted her very first creatures and began selling them.
Portrait of Donna Wilson at her studio surrounded by her odd ball collection of "creatures". Photo c/o Donna Wilson.
Donna Wilson’s story is a classic tale of the designer maker and the unexpected big break. Her company launched in 2003 after making knitted animals for her final year show and selling every piece to influential collector Murray Moss. Since then she has built her business designing and making curious cushions, luxurious lambswool blankets and what she happily describes as her "creatures”, an odd-bod collection of characters including Suki Mushroom, Smokey Cat, Jasper and Billy Broccoli., and a collection of tea towels including Use my Quiff and Use my Beard, and a series of make-it kits for clouds and balloons for those keen to get involved in the making too.
“We used to have an old hen house that became a cabin of craft… a place to hide from adults and have adventures. I would create sculptures from branches and twigs, make mud pies and serve them in old pots and pans”
Donna Wilson
The Cyril Squirrel Fox by Donna Wilson. Photo c/o Donna Wilson.
Like all the pieces in the collection, the very Sassy Sausage dog toy is handmade by the Donna Wilson team in the East London workshop. Photo c/o Donna Wilson.
Designed by the Donna Wilson team, the Make Your Own Cloud Kits come with all the materials to create soft toys yourself. Photo c/o Donna Wilson.
From her studio workshop, Donna and her team of designers knit, sew, pack and send out products around the world, and use local manufacturers and suppliers to keep the craftsmanship alive. The designs are often comical and always curious to nurture the kid in all of us.
The Donna Wilson collection is available exclusively in South East Asia from Space – Australia.
