About Us

STUDIO Isobel Sippel was born out of a deep love for textiles and a simple desire to create beautiful objects.  Each unique hand crafted piece is made with great attention to detail.

We especially love using old world materials that feel like they have a story.  There is a certain amount of poetry in working with these fabrics; it is a process of weaving together dreams and memories. This ancient artisanal craft of stitching together cloth to make something durable, but also beautiful, has become an art form labored and loved by many.

As a young girl, Isobel loved spending her days in the local fabric store – and that’s how it all began, the buying of dreams. 

Every aspect of the studio production is done in a homely way - painting and hand dyeing fabric in the kitchen, hours spent doing stitching by hand or sewing done in a studio surrounded by creative people. Not only do we keep things close to home,  we see our business as a family. Isobel’s right hand and assistant Sammy and Tracy, her talented seamstress are part of the family. Her daughters, Carla and Gabrielle are also frequently involved in the creative process. A business that started out of a kitchen – sales over a cup of tea – has now traveled to the homes of collectors all over the world.

Studio address:  The Old Biscuit Mill, Unit C103, 373 - 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town.  Contact 0603935291

Open weekdays: 9.00 - 4.00

Saturdays 9.30 - 3.30.

Closed on public holidays. 

If you need to contact us, please send a mail to isobel.sippel@gmail.com

 

South African textile designer Isobel Sippel was born in 1959 in the small village of Bray, located on the fringes of the great Molopo River bordering Botswana. Her father was the general practitioner traveling with his small aircraft to the most remote patients.  The family had a dog called Hera von Konterdam, known for once killing a leopard venturing too close.

'Blokkieskombers karoskind.  Rooigrond in haar bloed.  Eendag was daar 'n jong kind van die vlaktes.  Haar pa het geweet en vir haar 'n mooi naam gegee.'

She grew up in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, and then went on to study home economics at the University of Pretoria. She has been living in Cape Town for the past 36 years. Isobel has two daughters with whom she travels frequently to source for inspiration, yet her main influence in her work stems from her roots in beautiful South Africa. 

Sammy, our trusted assistant of 27 years.