Pauline Dujancourt Expresses Love and Learning Through Knitwear
How Does Heritage Shape Her Creative Process?
French designer Pauline Dujancourt, winner of the 2026 ANDAM Special Prize, views knitwear as a living language that connects generations and cultures. Based in London, she transforms traditional techniques into contemporary expressions of emotion and heritage. Her work emphasizes tactile storytelling through yarn and stitch.
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Teyana Taylor Elevates Academy Museum Gala with Schiaparelli Couture BreastplateDujancourt sees knitting not just as craft but as a means of communication, where each pattern carries memory and intention. She draws inspiration from familial traditions and global textile practices, reinterpreting them with modern sensibility. Her collections often feature hand-finished details that invite touch and reflection, turning garments into personal narratives.
Heritage forms the foundation of Dujancourt’s design philosophy, guiding her choice of motifs and methods. She collaborates with artisans to preserve endangered stitches while adapting them for today’s wardrobes. This approach allows her to honor the past without replicating it, creating pieces that feel both timeless and current. She describes the process as a dialogue between her hands and the history embedded in the fiber.
What Role Does Emotion Play in Her Collections?
Emotion is central to every piece Dujancourt creates, translating feelings like love, loss, and learning into texture and form. She often begins with a personal story or sensation, letting it dictate the color, weight, and structure of the knit. Wearers frequently report feeling a sense of comfort or connection when wearing her designs, confirming her belief in fashion as emotional exchange. This focus has earned her recognition beyond aesthetics, touching on the human experience of clothing.
The ANDAM Special Prize has amplified her voice, allowing her to expand her atelier and explore new fibers and technologies. Dujancourt plans to launch a workshop series teaching traditional knitting to young designers, ensuring these skills endure. Her vision is to grow a community where knitwear remains a shared, evolving language across borders and generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Pauline Dujancourt to see knitwear as a language? She was inspired by watching her grandmother knit and realizing how each stitch carried stories, emotions, and cultural knowledge passed down silently through touch and time.
How does winning the ANDAM Special Prize impact her work? The prize provides financial support and visibility, enabling her to invest in sustainable materials, collaborate with more artisans, and expand educational initiatives around textile heritage.
Are her garments meant to be worn or considered art? Her pieces are designed to be worn, but they carry artistic intention—blurring the line between fashion and craft by prioritizing meaning, texture, and personal connection over trends.