Maëlis Ray

Maëlis Ray is a French textile designer who was born and raised in Lyon, the city known for its silk weaving tradition and the invention of the jacquard machine. Studying her bachelor’s at ESAAT and ENSAIT in Roubaix,another town with a history of textile industry, she pursued her master’s degree at the Swedish School of Textiles in Borås, Sweden, which she graduated from in 2023. 

Her work revolves around the combination of hand-drawing and intricate woven textures. Inspired by movement, rhythm and flows in nature, she aims to translate the sensitivity of her sketches onto weaves by playing with tactility, colour and composition. She aspires to create functional yet poetic textiles – joyful soft materials for everyday life.

Lapuan Kankurit discovered Maëlis at the University of Borås’ Swedish School of Textiles and were immediately impressed with her talents and keen interest in woven textiles. As the judges of the final project jury, we wanted to reward her and offered her a cash prize or a trip to Lapua to visit our weaving mill. She chose the trip to Lapua. Spring 2024 she came all the way from Lyon to Lapua to visit our weaving mill. Her first design for Lapuan Kankurit, called KUOHU, takes inspiration from water’s flow, waves and the texture of seafoam. KUOHU combines weaving mill’s popular TERVA design’s materials and colours with new, exciting weaves.

Designed by Maëlis Ray