CONTEMPORARY
HANDWOVEN
TEXTILES
Behind the loom
Studio Milena was launched by Helen Milen, a former fashion designer with a passion for woven textiles, handcrafted luxury, and sustainable practices.
During Helen's fashion career with British heritage brands she developed archive fabrics and prints for her womenswear collections. A highlight was working closely with British and European fabric mills. Drawing on this experience, Helen made the decision to leave fashion design for the slower creative journey of handwoven textiles.
Her journey continued when she left London to return to North Yorkshire, where she has immersed herself in the slow textile world of hand weaving.
"My aim is to create beautiful carefully considered textiles to be treasured and enjoyed
for years to come"
Collections
Studio Milena collections evolve slowly to offer limited-edition interior textiles, intricately woven art panels and luxurious
one-off scarves.
Each carefully crafted piece is brought to life with unexpected colour combinations, beautiful textures, and captivating
weave structures.
A collection of individually handwoven art panels will be launching in May 2022 and a new collection of scarves will be launching in September 2022.
For early access to all new collections, please subscribe to my
Practice
Considered design and sustainable ethics are at the heart
of Helen's creative practice. Weaving with only natural fibres,
time is taken to source materials in-line with the slow-textile principles of her brand.
Helen thoughtfully selects wool from Yorkshire mills where the yarn is spun, dyed and finished to a high standard. Leftover production yarns are responsibly sourced from British mills and Helen also includes fully traceable wool yarn from small local businesses,
You will also find printed silk fabrics leftover from the fashion industry entwined into Studio Milena woven art panels..
"Ethical and environmentally considered textiles are
at the heart of my weaving practice"
Inspiration
Helen is fascinated by architecture; from crumbling brick walls, elegant Georgian townhouses and contemporary structures.
She is particularly captivated by architecture's relationship with nature. Plump lichen cushioning dry stone walls, swaying wild flowers against concrete, townhouses entwined with ivy.
Layers of contrasting textures, unexpected patterns and pops of off-beat colour, that invite a closer look.
Helen entwines these influences into her woven textiles to create her contemporary interpretation on traditional weaving patterns
To learn more about Helen's design process, sign-up here:
Weaving
Helen's weaving combines meticulous detail with spontaneous creativity. Each individual weaving process takes time and patience, with the beauty of a finished piece not being revealed until Helen rolls it off her loom.
It is this wonderful journey that brings Helen a sense of connection with her handwoven textiles. A connection she hopes to share with others through her work.
Hear more about Helen's weaving process by subscribing to her Textile Journals here
Bespoke
Studio Milena handwoven cushions and textile art panels can be created in colours to suit a client's home decor.
If you would like a bespoke handwoven piece for your home, please contact Helen for more details about this service.
Trade Clients
Helen loves to work with Interior designers, boutique hotels and independent businesses. If you would like to include Studio Milena handwoven textiles or woven art panels in your interiors, Helen would be delighted to hear from you.
Contemporary handwoven textiles
Studio Milena collections are designed, handwoven and hand-finished
by Helen in her studio located on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors.