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Clara Pinto’s fungi-esque designs glow in the loft window as I approach her Islington flat – like a lighthouse decorated with woollen frills. Seeing the pieces up close is even better. Rooting her design language in her Argentine heritage, Pinto blends exquisite craftsmanship and free-flowing expression to create garments that embrace the beauty of nature, crafted from hand-pressed felt. Despite this, living in London – Pinto’s home since 2015 when she moved a day after graduating from the University of Buenos Aires with a degree in fashion design – doesn’t stunt her creativity. “London keeps me constantly stimulated and creating. My ideas flow here, fuelled by the fast-paced lifestyle and the vibrant design community it offers – there’s truly no other place like it,” says Pinto. “Honestly, I don’t need much to feel inspired; sometimes, I’ll come across the right painting at the right time and develop an entire collection from it.”
This ever-bubbling pot of ideas hasn’t gone to waste, with Pinto receiving support from the industry’s most desirable programmes. “Being accepted as a studio resident at Alexander McQueen’s Sarabande Foundation shortly after I arrived in London was a significant moment for me. I didn’t have any network here or the education from the big design schools, so the fact that they recognised something in my work early on and connected me with the fashion and art scene was a game-changer,” says Pinto. “Not long after, I started receiving sponsored proposals from London Craft Week, the Crafts Council of England and even offers to fully finance fashion shows – a tremendous help for a young, independent brand.”
Photography by Josefina Bietti
This early influx of support makes sense when you come face-to-face with Pinto’s blooming, sculptural creations. They feel different, occupying a space which genuinely feels unique to her. Alongside the woollen, helter-skelter skirts, chunky platform boots and statement coats, Pinto makes ethereal, hand-printed sheer garments that range from blush-coloured gloves to dresses constructed using layered tulle. Not hailing from London helped with this unique feel. “I’m quite grateful for the education I received [at UBA]. It was at a very small institution with an artisanal, hands-on approach – largely out of necessity, as the only machinery they had were domestic sewing machines. This gave me a strong foundation in pattern cutting and material experimentation. Also, ten years ago, Instagram wasn’t what it is now, so I wasn’t overly aware of current trends. That allowed me to develop a unique graduate collection featuring deconstructed felts and abstract embroideries. When I moved to London, just a month after graduating, many great stylists began requesting my pieces because they stood out from what was coming out of Central Saint Martins at the time, which focused on oversized and structured designs,” explains Pinto.
This training proved invaluable to Pinto’s design ethos, one which centres around making meaningful, ethically-created garments that’ll last. “I’ve never called myself sustainable,” she says. “I invest a lot of time searching for materials and finding ways to work with them. My main material is wool and I collaborate with farms, artisans and artists to understand different breeds and the qualities of wool based on how the animals are fed and treated. I also develop biomaterials with wool as the base structure and colour. There is a great deal of dedication and research that goes into each material and final piece. What I do hope for from the work I’ve done so far is that clients take care of their pieces and make them last as long as possible.”
Part of the wider movement to make fashion more conscious, sustainable and durable, Pinto and the brand she is building have respect at their forefront. Respect for the materials, respect for the craft of felting, design and construction, respect for her Argentinian heritage and what that adds to her designs.
She and her bold, impressive garments are distinctly likeable. Should you want to visit them in person, the opportunity is coming around soon. “From January to March, we’ll be hosting a pop-up at Selfridges in collaboration with the Sarabande Foundation. In February, I’m launching a capsule collection with British influencer Eve Lily – it’s all pink and very cute. Next year, I’ll also be showcasing my collection in Milan, which will help push the business into wholesale,” says Pinto. Making florals and flourishes undeniably fabulous, a Clara Pinto design should sit right at the top of your wishlist this holiday season. Discover more here.
Photography courtesy of Clara Pinto.
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Clara Pinto’s fungi-esque designs glow in the loft window as I approach her Islington flat – like a lighthouse decorated with woollen frills. Seeing the pieces up close is even better. Rooting her design language in her Argentine heritage, Pinto blends exquisite craftsmanship and free-flowing expression to create garments that embrace the beauty of nature, crafted from hand-pressed felt. Despite this, living in London – Pinto’s home since 2015 when she moved a day after graduating from the University of Buenos Aires with a degree in fashion design – doesn’t stunt her creativity. “London keeps me constantly stimulated and creating. My ideas flow here, fuelled by the fast-paced lifestyle and the vibrant design community it offers – there’s truly no other place like it,” says Pinto. “Honestly, I don’t need much to feel inspired; sometimes, I’ll come across the right painting at the right time and develop an entire collection from it.”
This ever-bubbling pot of ideas hasn’t gone to waste, with Pinto receiving support from the industry’s most desirable programmes. “Being accepted as a studio resident at Alexander McQueen’s Sarabande Foundation shortly after I arrived in London was a significant moment for me. I didn’t have any network here or the education from the big design schools, so the fact that they recognised something in my work early on and connected me with the fashion and art scene was a game-changer,” says Pinto. “Not long after, I started receiving sponsored proposals from London Craft Week, the Crafts Council of England and even offers to fully finance fashion shows – a tremendous help for a young, independent brand.”
Photography by Josefina Bietti
This early influx of support makes sense when you come face-to-face with Pinto’s blooming, sculptural creations. They feel different, occupying a space which genuinely feels unique to her. Alongside the woollen, helter-skelter skirts, chunky platform boots and statement coats, Pinto makes ethereal, hand-printed sheer garments that range from blush-coloured gloves to dresses constructed using layered tulle. Not hailing from London helped with this unique feel. “I’m quite grateful for the education I received [at UBA]. It was at a very small institution with an artisanal, hands-on approach – largely out of necessity, as the only machinery they had were domestic sewing machines. This gave me a strong foundation in pattern cutting and material experimentation. Also, ten years ago, Instagram wasn’t what it is now, so I wasn’t overly aware of current trends. That allowed me to develop a unique graduate collection featuring deconstructed felts and abstract embroideries. When I moved to London, just a month after graduating, many great stylists began requesting my pieces because they stood out from what was coming out of Central Saint Martins at the time, which focused on oversized and structured designs,” explains Pinto.
This training proved invaluable to Pinto’s design ethos, one which centres around making meaningful, ethically-created garments that’ll last. “I’ve never called myself sustainable,” she says. “I invest a lot of time searching for materials and finding ways to work with them. My main material is wool and I collaborate with farms, artisans and artists to understand different breeds and the qualities of wool based on how the animals are fed and treated. I also develop biomaterials with wool as the base structure and colour. There is a great deal of dedication and research that goes into each material and final piece. What I do hope for from the work I’ve done so far is that clients take care of their pieces and make them last as long as possible.”
Part of the wider movement to make fashion more conscious, sustainable and durable, Pinto and the brand she is building have respect at their forefront. Respect for the materials, respect for the craft of felting, design and construction, respect for her Argentinian heritage and what that adds to her designs.
She and her bold, impressive garments are distinctly likeable. Should you want to visit them in person, the opportunity is coming around soon. “From January to March, we’ll be hosting a pop-up at Selfridges in collaboration with the Sarabande Foundation. In February, I’m launching a capsule collection with British influencer Eve Lily – it’s all pink and very cute. Next year, I’ll also be showcasing my collection in Milan, which will help push the business into wholesale,” says Pinto. Making florals and flourishes undeniably fabulous, a Clara Pinto design should sit right at the top of your wishlist this holiday season. Discover more here.
Photography courtesy of Clara Pinto.
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