Hello Atelier 037
Karen Allen
For years I had heard rumors about Karen Allen. There were whispers in the wind about soft cashmere and richly-colored scarves. In interviews, there would be mention of a little store full of textile wonders, only to have the conversation steer back to her work as an actor and director. It’s not surprising, after all, since she has been in a slew of films, not the least of which are two Indiana Jones movies. But I’ve always wanted to know more about her textile work. So, off we went to Great Barrington, Massachusetts to visit the Karen Allen Fiber Studio and meet the artist, herself.
And it turns out the rumors were true. Her store was brimming with color and texture. Everywhere you turned there were stacks of silk scarves, richly-embroidered garments, and puffy piles of sweaters. And there was her own line of knitwear – cloud-like scarves, hats, sweaters, and gloves in every color of the rainbow.
Upstairs, in her studio, knitting machines stood at the ready. With just a touch of a button they would begin creating Karen’s custom designs. Along one wall was a veritable rainbow of fiber, waiting to be brought down and paired in a new project. It was the perfect place for a textile artist to while away an afternoon, experimenting in a cashmere laboratory.
Listen in as we talk about Karen’s introduction to textiles, her love of Kaffe Fassett, and how she balances her film career with fiber art.
In this episode:
- Karen Allen Fiber Art: Visit Karen’s online store to shop her creations and her curated collection of clothing and accessories.
- The Fashion Institute of Technology: Take an online course to expand your textile knowledge.
- Explore Karen’s work in film: Visit Karen’s IMDB page and pick a movie to see her in action!
- Kaffe Fassett: Kaffe’s book Glorious Knitting may be out of print, but you can still be inspired by his knitting and fabric work. (And don’t forget to listen to our interview with Kaffe, if you haven’t already.)
