Tom of Holland

Tom van Deijnen of Tom of Holland is a textiles artist and darner focusing on visible mending. Tom is fascinated by sustainability and the rich history of British textiles, developing a deep understanding of fabrics and garments, their characteristics and traditional mending techniques. Tom of Holland provides mending skills and services through his Visible Mending Programme: running public workshops and commissions, encouraging us to rethink our attitudes towards clothing and throw-away culture.

Maker's Story

Tom van Deijnen, or Tom of Holland, is a textile artist and darner focusing on visible mending. Tom is fascinated by sustainability and the rich history of British textiles, developing a deep understanding of fabrics and garments, their characteristics and traditional mending techniques. Tom of Holland provides mending skills and services through his Visible Mending Programme: running public workshops and commissions, encouraging us to rethink our attitudes towards clothing and throw-away culture.

Maker's Quote

It is now possible to buy very cheap clothes, which get thrown out when there’s a small hole or button missing. This is something I highlight with the Visible Mending Programme. I’d like to go back to an older mindset, where clothes were expensive, and you looked after and repaired them until they were completely threadbare.

Tom van DeijnenTextile Artist

The Process

Skilled in techniques including crochet, knitting and sewing, Tom of Holland’s repair work highlights the relationship between garment and wearer that has developed over time, creating clothing that is as unique as the history that created it.