Caterina Tioli

Department: Public Private
Website: www.caterinatioli.com

Rinse Off

What: A series of textiles woven from raw, unspun wool, with the help of potato starch as a temporary stiffener.

Why: Potato starch has long been used in the textile industry to stiffen spun wool, making it stronger to weave with. But spinning wool reduces its natural softness. Caterina Tioli went in search of a better method.

How: By applying the potato starch directly to the unspun wool, the fragile fibres are strong enough to weave with. Afterwards the starch is rinsed off, leaving the natural luxuriance of the wool intact. And it’s all possible thanks to the humble potato.

“I wanted to make the most of the natural qualities of wool”