A conversation with Nelly

Hello Nelly, how are you? Could you tell us a bit about yourself, who you are, where you're based, and your background?

I’m doing great, thank you for asking. My name is Nelly Bellegarde, I’m a knitwear designer originally from the south of France. I’m currently based in Antwerp, where my atelier is located in the historical centre, within one of the oldest artist collectives called Ercola. I studied textile design in France and Spain, and that’s really where my love for knitting began.

Your work moves between fashion and objects. How did that direction develop over time?

During my studies, I was already working across both fashion and interior design. Later on, it felt important for me to continue exploring both fields. I collaborate a lot with fashion designers, which I really enjoy, it allows me to engage with ideas I might not have come up with myself, while bringing in my own knitwear expertise. But when it comes to expressing something more personal, I find myself drawn more towards interior design, and especially lighting at the moment. What fascinates me most about knitting is the possibility of creating unexpected textures. When applied to lighting, those textures come alive,  the light reveals every stitch, every hidden detail. It’s a very intuitive and playful process.

 

How did the idea of creating hand-knitted lamps first come to you?

It had been in the back of my mind for quite some time to create a lamp, although I can’t really recall a specific moment where the idea started. I knew I wanted to make knitted objects and began exploring different types of furniture, eventually realising that lighting felt the most exciting.

I’ve always been drawn to craftsmanship and to creating things independently, from beginning to end. I started experimenting with thrifted lamps, just for fun. The reactions from people around me were very encouraging, and I have to admit, I became a bit addicted to making these furry lamps. From there, it naturally grew into a full collection. I also owe a lot to my friends, who encouraged me to take the project further and really believed in it,(especially Arya @fromstudiopar and Jazi!).

 

Your work seems to embrace imperfection in a very natural way. What role does it play within your process?

Imperfection in knitwear can actually lead to the most beautiful results. The technique I use for my lamps, for example, could almost be seen as originating from a knitting mistake, and I find that incredibly fascinating. All my lamps are handmade, which means each one is slightly different. That’s what makes them unique. Today, I think it’s a real luxury to own something that carries a story, and that is made entirely by the designer’s own hands.

 

Could you tell us more about your process, how the lamps are made, and how everything comes together?

The yarn I use is made in Italy, the metal structures are produced in France, and I print the bases myself in my atelier. I knit everything on vintage domestic knitting machines from the 1980s, using quite a bit of physical effort.

Each seam is stitched by hand, and I crochet around the cable — which can only be done manually. I also followed a course to learn how to assemble the electrical components according to European standards, so that part is also done by me.

At the end of the process, I brush each lamp, check the light, carefully pack it, and bring it to the post office. It’s a very hands-on process from beginning to end. Receiving photos from customers in their homes is always incredibly rewarding.

 

Looking ahead, is there something new you’re currently exploring or moving towards?

I never expected such a strong response to the furry lamps. At first, I really made them for myself, just for fun. But seeing how people responded to them, especially on social media, gave me a lot of energy to keep creating. There are so many directions I want to explore. Of course, I’m thinking about expanding the collection with new lamps and objects, but also about working with completely different textures. It feels like this is just the beginning.