Clara Pinto: Sculpting Wool, Shaping Culture
London-based designer Clara Pinto is redefining what fashion can mean through wool. Her work blurs craft, textile innovation, and storytelling, creating sculptural garments that feel alive. In this conversation, Clara opens up about her path into design, her relationship with material, and why patience and mistakes are essential tools in building a brand.
Who is Clara Pinto outside of design? How did that person lead you into this world of wool?
Outside of the design world, I’m extremely sociable. There’s nothing I like more than a barbecue, hosting, and partying. How did I get into wool? When I was in university, I was teaching textile design but honestly didn’t know much. One day, a woman in her 60s approached me. She didn’t know how to use the computer, but she told me: I can teach you how to felt, and you can teach me how to design textiles. That’s when I discovered wool. I fell in love with the fiber and have been working with it for over 10 years.
What does wool give you that no other material does?
I’m inspired by the material itself. As I learned to work with different breeds and thicknesses, I discovered volume. I’m a visual person, and I see myself as a textile designer first. Naturally, the work grew in shape and scale. If people see dynamism in my garments, that comes from the fiber, it’s alive in its own way.
Your shapes feel alive, almost in motion. Where does that energy come from?
I studied fashion design in Buenos Aires across different schools, and also studied painting. Eventually, I graduated from a technical place that was more about craft than high design. That gave me a lot of tools to work directly with the material. I think this sets me apart from designers coming from big-name fashion schools, who are trained differently. For me, it always starts with the textile, not the concept.
What excites you most about fashion today, and what frustrates you?
Living in London excites me because of the openness and the niches, it feels like everyone can find their own space. When I moved here, I wanted to work for big brands, and I did. But now, young people don’t want that. They want to do their own thing. That shift feels powerful, and we should be paying attention to them.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned from building your brand?
Patience. There’s a reason I’m here now, I couldn’t have done it before. Everything takes time, and you learn along the way. You’ll make mistakes - thousands of them - and that’s fine. You just need to throw yourself out there.
Do you have a favorite piece from your collection?
Yes. It’s called Talk Nicole, dedicated to my best friend Nicole. It’s very elegant, with beautiful curves made from a specific sheep breed I source in summer. The wool is naturally dyed with avocado, nettle, and cochineal. Inside, it’s quilted with digital prints. It’s layered, complex, and still incredibly sensitive. That’s why it’s my favorite.
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Aldo Mazzilli
A creative mind who loves storytelling and branding in a meaningful way combining Culture & Creativity. Passionate about fashion, sport and lifestyle.
@fackaldo