Emma Casella
 Projects
About


Herding wool 

2024—2025
In collaboration with Alix Arto and Yihan Zhang from Ròng Design Library.
Photos: Herding wool

herdingwool@gmail.com
@herding.wool
 To explore the full potential of wool felting, a collaboration with Swiss designer Alix Arto and Chinese designer Yihan Zhang from Róng Design Library began in 2024.
Examining the anthropological significance of pastoral fibers, the project celebrates felting as a bridge between tradition and innovation while blending local cultures with international techniques and regional materials.
Collaborating with shepherds, fiber processors, and craftspeople, the project also addresses the undervaluation of diverse wool breeds through a felt database, while highlighting the material’s sustainable qualities.



Round table and workshop around Swiss wool

2023
In collaboration with Sophie Fellay, Studio Remo. In collaboration with textile designer Sophie Fellay, an event was organized during the Design Days in Geneva to facilitate an exchange with key actors who continue to work with wool in a local way in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

The event featured a panel discussion, attended by several participants who had been invited and interviewed beforehand, to share their insights on how the wool market has evolved in recent years. Farmers were present, along with representatives from spinning centers and experts in agricultural project development.

Filature de l'Avancon was also invited to hold a workshop, sharing the fundamentals of transforming wool with the participants.


Leggera

2023
In collaboration with Maria Clara Castioni.
Photos: Noa Chevalley
 In collaboration with Maria Clara Castioni, a scenographer and interior architect, sets were created for events and exhibitions using only scraps from the textile industry under the name of Leggera.

The goal was to develop ephemeral, low-volume solutions to decorate and dress spaces.

The first project was for the 20th anniversary of Manufacture, for which the set design for the event was created.


Newo

2022
Photos: Charlotte Favre
Graphic design: Fanny Geiser  Parallel to the research on Swiss wool, which began as a thesis project at ECAL, the aim was to propose a project that could offer a concrete solution to the crisis facing this material. 

This led to the creation of Newo, a kit for newborns made from Swiss wool.

Newo is inspired by a similar kit that the Finnish government has been providing to families through parental subsidies for the past 75 years. If the Swiss government were to offer a Newo kit to new parents, it could create a steady demand for Swiss wool, ultimately establishing a limited Swiss circuit for the collection, processing, production, and distribution of the raw material.


Rigeli

2020
Photos: Camille Spiller Rigeli is a research project focused on studying industrial embroidery as a method to reinforce soft fabrics.
The aim is to explore this technique for both aesthetic and functional purposes. Embroidery provides structure to the volume without the need to add synthetic materials, which is commonly done in the industry.

The project also seeks to propose a new application for this traditional technique, which is increasingly used only for decorative purposes.
This research began during school studies and included the creation of a series of 100% cotton baskets for domestic use.

Emma Casella is an industrial designer focusing on a local approach to conception and sourcing, based in Lugano, Ticino. 
She studied graphic design at CSlA in Lugano and industrial design at ECAL in Lausanne. 
She was born in Grisons and grew up in Ticino, developing a strong connection with the Alpine region. Emma’s design approach aims to revisit these ancient methods of handling textiles to rejuvenate them.


Emerging Talent exhibition in House of Switzerland, Design week Milan, 2023
 Exhibitions
09/2024
Herding wool
With Yihan Zang from Rong Design Library and Alix Arto
At Ròng Design Library, Quingshan Village, Hangzhou, China
09/2024
Herding wool
With Yihan Zang from Ròng Design Library and Alix Arto
At Freitag shop in Shanghai, in collaboration with Prohelvetia Shanghai, China
06/2023
Newo
At Swiss Design Award in Basel, Switzerland
04/2023
Newo
At Emerging Talent exhibition in House of Switzerland during the Milan design week, in collaboration with Pro Helvetia and Presence Suisse

Awards  / Grants
08—09/2024
Residency at Ròng Design Library, in Hangzhou, China 
09/2023—01/2024
Leggera
Pulse Incubateur Coaching in Geneva, Switzerland
01—09/2023
Newo
Starting Power Programme Coaching and Grant from Pro Helvetia

Talk
04/2024
Coffee and Talks
Organised by Swiss Design Association at House of Switzerland during the Milan design week
09/2023
Tacchini x Domum Design
During the Design Days in Geneva, Switzerland

Press
2023—2024
Newo
Millevoci / Rete Uno, Turné / RSI LA1, Corriere del Ticino, Frapp, La Liberté, Cult Plus / RSI, Wohnrevue, Domus, Maison et Ambiances, Encore Magazine, Artichoke Magazine / SUPSI