Voice of the Body – a limited edition blanket by Andre Walker

September 2, 2022September 2, 2022 / pendletonwoolenmills / 1 Comment

Andre Walker

We are excited to once again work with renowned designer Andre Walker, as he brings his singular sense of style to the Pendleton looms for the very first time.

Walker imagined, painted and designed “Voice of the Body” in his Brooklyn-based studio with the desire to have it tangibly come to life, and invited Pendleton to transform his artwork for the loom.

The limited edition blanket feature a striking set of deep brown eyes, vibrant pink lips in fellowship with a pictogram-like figure overlaying a cornflower blue, tan and yolk gradient.

Voice of the Body blanket by Pendleton Woolen Mills, designed by Andre Walker

Inspiration for the “Voice of the Body” painting and blanket came from Walker thinking about God and existence. “It’s about the spirit in the gut of our intuition as it remains hopeful in our expression of the voice of the body,” explained Walker. He views the painting and blanket as a muse for the singularity of humanity’s soul eschewing specifics of color, materiality and perception.

Pendleton’s designers and weavers always look forward to the challenge of expressing an artist’s ideas, and Walker’s dramatic vision comes across beautifully. Below is his original artwork, to which the blanket remains remarkably faithful.

Andre Walker's original artwork for the Voice of the Body blanket.

Pendleton and Andre Walker

This is the second collaboration for Pendleton and Walker. The first was Walker’s 2017 collection titled “Non-Existent Patterns” where he used Pendleton fabrics, including the Glacier National Park pattern to create pieces that he originally designed between 1982 and 1986. This collection is currently featured in The Met Museum’s exhibit “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” until Sept. 5, 2022.

“I’ve taken our second exchange with Pendleton to another level, designing a singular textile artwork. I loved the idea that it was a universal utility free of physiognomic boundaries. It was magical to see the image come to life on the looms. Working with Pendleton is a perfect match of know-how, artistry and industry,” noted Walker.

The limited edition “Voice of the Body” blankets, signed by the artist, are now available on pendleton-usa.com and at various luxury retail outlets.

Learn More

See the blanket here: VOICE OF THE BODY

Read previous posts about Pendleton and Andre Walker here:

Pendleton on the Runway with Andre Walker for Paris Fashion Week

Andre Walker, the Met Costume Institute, and Pendleton

September 17, 2021 / pendletonwoolenmills / 3 Comments

A Beautiful Exhibit

Hallway leading to the American Style exhibit at the Met Costume Institute, photo courtesy Artnet

In 2018, we worked with iconic designer Andre Walker to provide fabrics for recreations of some of his most iconic styles. Pieces from this collection are part of an important new exhibit on American style at the Met Costume Institute.

According to Artnet News

One of Andre Walker's designs, featured in the exhibit, using Pendleton's Glacier National Park stripe fabric. Photo courtesy Artnet.

The exhibition, in the Anna Wintour Costume Center, is based around the concept of a patchwork quilt, with each square representing a feeling that corresponds to the spirit of a particular garment or runway collection. Feelings like warmth and comfort are visualized through a blanket-coat that Andre Walker designed with Pendleton Woolen Mills, paying homage to the Oregon-based company that was founded in 1863, and Oscar de la Renta’s floral-festooned dresses—over the years favored by Taylor Swift and Wintour herself—represent joy and delight.

We are extremely proud to be part of this exhibit!

More Information

See more featured designs and read the feature here: Artnet News

Read about our 2018 work with Andre here: Pendleton on the Runway

Pendleton on the Runway with Andre Walker for Paris Fashion Week

October 20, 2017August 20, 2020 / pendletonwoolenmills / 2 Comments

Andre Walker

Pendleton recently had the opportunity to work with renowned designer Andre Walker on a collection for Paris Fashion Week. Andre has an outstanding track record with fashion press and retailers. Every time he launches a collection, the fashion world swoons.

Andre, like Pendleton, is American. He is known for his freeform, hand-cut designs, described by the New York Times as, “His coats and jackets eel around the body, wrapping, tying or buttoning.” His designs have generated a tremendous amount of excitement since he staged his first show at a New York nightclub when he was just fifteen years old.

Andre worked with Willi Smith in the 80s. With his own label, he won the prestigious ANDAM fashion prize in 2000. He created outstanding work for Comme des Garcons under his And Re Walker label in the 2010s, and worked as a consultant for Kim Jones and Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton in the years since.

Andre and Pendleton

We met him Andre in person at our New York showroom during Press Week last spring, and then came home and hustled to get him various weights and colors of our USA-woven wool fabrics. We sent fabrics in a variety of weaves and textures, and Glacier National Park blankets.

Andre transformed our textiles into recreations of his androgynous one-sized designs. The 21 looks Walker showed were based on pieces he designed between 1982 and 1986. He reclaimed long-lost looks from friends and collectors the world over to use for patterning. The show was held on the steps of the Musée des Art Décoratifs in Paris, and generated fantastic press.

It was awesome to work with Andre. He is absolutely the sweetest person ever, so sincere and authentic with an amazing design sense.