Spotlight: Evelyn Toomistu, Bespoke Hand Stitched Leather Gloves

Evelyn Toomistu has taken her diploma work of designing a glove collection to a business creating custom hand stitched leather gloves. She enjoys experimenting with designs for new glove patterns and finding interesting materials in the glove-making process. Interested in learning to make your own gloves? Check out her YouTube channel.

How did you get started designing gloves? How did you find your creative niche? Or, did it find you?

As I was studying leather design in Estonia Art School of Tartu, my diploma work (2001) was a glove collection called “I have something to say”.

I was experimenting with glove patterns and developed gloves, where there are 2+2 finger and 1+3 finger sections in the glove (thumbs were separately). The Fingermitten was born.

When was the first time that you remember realizing that you are a creative person? 

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As a child. The creativity was always a part of my daily life, like painting, drawing, designing clothes for paper dolls, etc.

What do you do differently? What is your signature that makes your work stand out as yours?

My specialty is not only the DIYing handicraft-glove-making, but the innovation and experimenting with glove patterns, materials, and techniques. For example, heated gloves, one-finger gloves, salmon skin, and chicken feet. I also prefer the multiple possibilities of hand stitching to machine stitching. I love a trendy color combination by staying in touch with trend research and fashion forecasts.

Describe your creative space.

Creativity happens unexpectedly through inspiring moments everywhere. This creative space in my mind finds output in my glove studio and showroom, where there are many different kinds of leather, textiles, other materials, and of course my tools and sewing machines. I also find space for painting, screenprinting, sculpting, or whatever new comes into my mind to experiment with. My statement is: “As an artist, there are no boundaries.”

How often do you design a new glove? 

It depends on how inspired I am by the world around me. The last new glove design was visualized in my head, as I listened to a chanson singer on the stage. Her dress without sleeves was a perfect canvas for the glove I was creating. Inspired by the music of the 1920s, independent women, and art deco an extravagant glove was born.

Tell us about your process to design a custom glove for a client.

At first, we talk about the wishes and needs of the client. What style of gloves does he or she need? We look at the samples and combine a perfect glove model for winter or summertime. I show the different skins and colors available. After that, we choose the color and the style of the hand stitching, as well as the lining (cashmere, wool, silk). Next would be taking the measurements of the hands before the glove is done in 5-1/2 hours.

Which part of the custom design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?

I like the part where we find together with the client interesting color combinations or design approaches. The creative process can be very exciting. The challenge is the final part of the order when the client tries the ready-made gloves on and I can see the fit of the glove.

What is your typical day like? 

There are no typical days. There is always something going on. Either a leather fair, exhibitions, museum visits, drawing, planning, buying materials, emails, making, producing, or stitching. But also there are days, where I don´t do anything, just relax and keep space for the creativity to evolve.

How do you stay organized when working with multiple design ideas and processes?

A clean workspace and organized table and tools, and materials are important to keep the mind clear and staying focused.

Do you dabble in any other creative projects? If so, what are your favorites?

Always. 🙂 Whatever material I have in my hands, there is always a possibility to make something out of it. A piece of art or design object. Upcycling or making new things, testing new materials (Pottery, silkscreen print, etc.)

What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work? 

I accept the duality of productivity and doing nothing. Keeping it in harmony keeps me balanced.

What is your favorite accomplishment? 

Being exposed in German Leather Museum (Deutsches Ledermuseum in Offenbach) in an exhibition “Handschuh. Glove” (2023) with one pair of fingermittens of mine. And being an author of the book “Practical Making of Leather Gloves” (2011).

For more information: [email protected]

Where can people find your gloves?

In social media as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook. Or directly in my showroom in Frankfurt. Or surprisingly, on the stage, somewhere. 🙂