Interview
Introducing: Autumn Sonata
We sat down with the founder of Autumn Sonata to talk heirlooms, archives and the quiet power of everyday objects.
Working between California and Amsterdam, she draws from a lifelong fascination with collecting and display - where a dusty print tucked behind a shelf can spark an entire collection. With a background in archiving and a deep respect for craftsmanship, Autumn Sonata reimagines historic motifs into modern textiles that carry the memory of where they came from.
What inspired you to launch Autumn Sonata between California and Amsterdam, and how does that transatlantic location influence your designs?
I’ve been living in Amsterdam for the last 5 years, but California (where I was raised) lends so much to my conception of design. With that being said, Amsterdam has also served and continues to serve as an essential inspiration for Autumn Sonata. I love the Dutch history of collecting and displaying objects of many origins together (such as the cabinet of curiosities). This is something that attracted me to the country in the first place, and continues to serve as a primary source of inspiration.
Your signature prints evoke such rich history and atmosphere - how do you translate the story behind a found object into the final textile pattern?
Once I’ve sourced a new print, the research begins. I like to get an understanding of the process, the main proprietors, the historical lineage and how this is connected to the world of textile design. When the print is recreated, I like to maintain any elements of character or imperfection in order to maintain this throughline from the past and honor the original intent of the artist.
Can you tell us about an heirloom or archival find, perhaps tucked behind a dusty bookshelf, that led to your most beloved design?
Every time that I enter a museum, bookshop or antique market, I fall deeper in love with my job. I can’t necessarily point to one find in particular, but I am constantly reminded and galvanized by the idea that there are so many beautiful prints, patterns and objects to source! My mind continues to go down constant rabbit holes…
What is a memorable moment from sourcing trips that your audience hasn’t seen yet?
There is a print in an upcoming collection that I found in an antique store in Kyoto, hidden below piles of papers, on my last day in Japan. It is a hand-drawn fan from the 1940s. I gasped when I found it. I love the element of human touch that is so palpable in the design, but also the simplicity of the repeat.
As a former archivist, what is the biggest challenge in re-contextualising something 200 years old into a modern home textile or wardrobe piece?
There are several pain points in particular, including translating the design into modern language. Sometimes a print appears perfect in its original form, and then when it needs to be translated to a more durable, modern fabric, it loses what makes it so special in the first place. Thus, there is a lot of trial and error.
Is there a storied European estate or archival piece that continues to haunt your design dreams - something you longed to translate into a towel but found just out of reach?
Towel design is incredibly challenging! The design truly becomes a translation – when I first began the line, I had so many ideas, but after seeing the final samples in person, it was a complete disaster. I am still trying to figure out how to translate some of my favorite prints into towels. Hence, development can be quite slow and tedious.
The Hanna print, designed in collaboration with Alessandra Williams, draws inspiration from the architectural landscapes of southern Italy - how did that shared vision of place and texture come to life in this quietly geometric design?
The Hanna design is very much attributed to Alessandra’s beautiful printwork. Alessandra approached me almost a year ago, and immediately I could envision her work applied to toweling. I loved her approach to her design work, which is so closely tied to how I work with time and place.
What book, painting, or object recently sparked an idea you’re itching to explore in a future collection?
I recently visited the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. Not only was I incredibly impressed by the museum, but I also found the contents of the museum so modern and exciting. It made me very excited to explore vessels!
What song or album best captures the mood of Autumn Sonata’s world?
Any episodes of the NTS show ‘Time is Away.’ The collage-like assembly is how I approach Autumn Sonata designs.
More Stories from Couverture
Wild Animals Pop-Up
We welcomed Rop van Mierlo and the Wild Animals team into the store for the opening of our pop-up, with exclusive products available across clothing, accessories, and homeware.
Trovelore at Couverture
This May, we are hosting a Trovelore pop-up in store from the 18th to the 23rd, to coincide with Chelsea Flower Show, showcasing an extended collection inspired by the British summer. To celebrate, we sat down with the founders of Trovelore to talk all things drawn by nature, made by hand.
Spring Summer '26 by Couverture
Couverture introduces its Spring Summer 2026 editorial, a refined curation of womenswear and accessories rooted in warmth, ease, and considered dressing.
Wild Animals at Couverture
We sat down with the founder of Wild Animals to talk all things untameable. The Dutch designer first conceived the project for his graduation project at the Design Academy Eindhoven, exploring the human urge to shape and control the world. What began as a conceptual book about wildness and wet-on-wet painting has since grown into an internationally recognised label.
Meet the new brands joining Couverture for SS26
Discover the stories behind the latest labels that have just landed at Couverture - and those still to come.
Autumn Winter '25 by Couverture
Couverture presents its Autumn/Winter 2025 collection, a curated mix of womenswear and homeware that combines comfort, texture, and considered design. New brands Wild Animals and Séfr join long-standing favourites Rachel Comey, Renata Brenha, Cawley, and Soeur, bringing soft knits, sculptural tailoring, and layered silhouettes that define the season.
