The textile artist Carla Freschi: “The art world could learn from fashion’s ability to build strong brand identities”

Carla Freschi is a textile artist with a background in the fashion industry. She was born in Buenos Aires but is now based in Copenhagen, exhibiting in galleries and art fairs all over the world. In connection with Carla exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair here in Nacka Strand on 2-6 October, we took the opportunity to ask her some questions about textiles, fashion, and art. Below you can read about, amongst other things, her greatest inspiration as well as what she thinks the fashion world can learn from the art world – and vice versa. 

Hi Carla, can you tell us more about your background? How come you create in textile?
My journey with art began when I was just 5 years old. My first art teacher gifted me two books that still hold a special place in my heart: Linnea in Monet’s Garden and Looking at Paintings. These books inspired me so deeply that whenever someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said, “A painter.” Although I stopped painting during my teenage years, I kept drawing and eventually studied Fashion Design, worked in the Industry for a couple of years but I started to feel that something was missing. It felt like the little artist in me found a way to combine my love for art with the skills I had developed. Textiles became the most natural medium for me—it allows me to blend the creative freedom of art with the technical knowledge of fashion.

What is your greatest inspiration when creating your beautiful art?
Inspiration comes from many corners of my life, but it’s often rooted in my experiences living around the world (Uruguay, Australia, Italy, Denmark to name some). Each of these places has given me a unique cultural perspective, and they’ve sparked my curiosity about different ways of living and thinking. I’m particularly drawn to traditions and languages, as well as more personal ideas like embracing imperfection and trusting intuition. I often find myself inspired by small moments or emotions that shape my creative process.

What is your greatest lesson when it comes to working with textiles?
Working with textiles has taught me two important lessons: flexibility and simplicity. Sometimes the fabric doesn’t behave the way you planned, but that unpredictability can lead to some of the most beautiful results. Similarly, in a world where we often aim for perfection, hand embroidery has shown me the beauty of simplicity and imperfection. The little flaws can actually give a piece its soul.

Do you think the fashion world has something to learn from the art world and vice versa?
From the art world, I think the fashion industry could learn to slow down and trust the creative process more. There’s something powerful about creating timeless pieces that carry meaning and can be passed down through generations. Fashion should connect with people on a deeper level, rather than just reflecting trends.

On the flip side, the art world could learn from fashion’s ability to build strong brand identities and storytelling in order to enhance the visibility of artists and make their work more recognizable and appealing to diverse audiences.