IN FOCUS // Christine Robson

Christine wears the Uma Wang Adee Dress in Grey Brown

Christine Robson is a texture artist based in Piha, crafting beautiful artworks from raw merino wool that she felts herself combined with other mediums such as cashmere, silk, cotton and linen threads imported from Italy. We were honoured to be invited to Christine's home for a styling session and a chat about her creative endeavours, inspirations and her personal style.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a texture artist residing in Piha with my husband, Paul and our playful Sydney Silky terriers, Taco and Lola. We have three lovely children Cassandra, George, Paige and our granddaughter, Skylar.

I grew up in Auckland and have many happy childhood memories of the long summer holidays spent in Piha. The black sand, swimming in the ocean, sand dune boarding, fiery sunsets and starry nights, adventures to White’s beach with my Dad and coming home to Mum’s divine fish and chips. These are some of the many reasons I was drawn back to Piha to raise my family.

I practice yoga weekly, I find this relaxes my mind and creates a sense of calmness. I enjoy going for long walks and jogging, a time when many creative ideas and solutions come to mind. I try to eat a plant-based organic diet as much as I can and aim to contribute to a sustainable lifestyle.

I have always had a passion for interior design and fashion which ignited from the age of 7 when I received my first Daisy Doll. I would spend hours making clothing from vintage cloth, lace and buttons saved for me from my grandmother. I foraged in nature for acorns and branches to make furniture for her two-level home. At the age of 15, I developed a love for op-shopping and vintage jewellery. My mother was incredibly skilled at sewing and I used to help her create dramatic 1920’s style flowing dresses which were sold at her Cook St Market stall. For those unlucky enough to never visit, this was a 1970’s institution of traders operating in a party atmosphere. It was such a gift to have a mother that encouraged my love of fashion and design.

Christine wears the Uma Wang Tumult Top in Off White & the Gallery Skirt in Off White (Shop the black version here)

2. We know you’re an incredibly talented artist, can you elaborate a bit more on your creative endeavours and when your artistic journey began?

My creative endeavours began when we purchased our first home and I opened a store in the front room selling my luxurious throws, shawls, cushions and elaborately decorated rosette brooches all lovingly made by myself under my then label, Starose. I enjoyed the challenge of creating a vision into a reality for my clients and this also flowed into the interior of my home.

I am self-taught and learn a lot through submerging myself in research and experimenting, this led to discovering wool felting with water. My compositions start with a sketch and a considered plan that evolve organically and slowly over time through a process of analysing and rearranging until I get that feeling of completion. Texture is important as it evokes a feeling of closeness and this is what I wanted my art to project. I began felting large wall hangings constructed with raw New Zealand merino wool and I adorn them with tassels, organic Japanese and Italian threads, ripping and fraying old clothing to create a dramatic layering effect. They were well received by family and friends and this gave me the confidence to approach ‘Indie Home Collective’, a beautiful luxurious homeware store that now stock and encourage my creativity.

My art has also been a means of self-therapy, especially during the time when my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2016 and then sadly my mum in 2021. During this time I had two exhibitions scheduled at the Piha gallery and dedicated them in memory of my parents. ‘Heartfelt’ for my father, ‘The sun and her flowers’ for my mother. My art echoed my deep emotions while I was grieving, anchoring them in the present form of tangible materials.

Pictured: Christine's beautiful artwork using raw Merino Wool from New Zealand's South Island, combined with mediums such as cashmere, silk, cotton and linen threads imported from Italy.

3. What inspires your art and how is that seen in your home styling and wardrobe?

I feel all three are in union and embody each other. Fashion especially influences me as I mentioned, I like to rework and integrate used clothing. I purchased a divine Barbara Gongini open weave black wool jumper from ‘The Shelter’ many years ago and recently decided to give it a new lease of life, so I repurposed it into a piece of art where it hangs creating a sense of drama on a distressed concrete wall in my home.

My inspiration comes from architecture, nature, music and my stacks and stacks of magazines. I especially admire the holistic productions of materials created by Claudy Jonstra, a Netherlands based sustainable fibre artist.

I do however like to make a point to try to listen to my own internal monologue and allow my intuition to guide my decision making. Some of my best designs are created without too much thought - they just happen.

Christine wears the Uma Wang Tendril Top in Coffee/White

4. How long have you been a friend of The Shelter and what’s your first memory of the store?

I have been a friend and admirer of the shelter from the beginning. My first memory is still so clear, I was feeling deflated because I couldn’t find an outfit that spoke to me for a function and then I stumbled upon the most divine contemporary space filled with the most beautiful clothing ... my heart skipped a beat, ’The Shelter’ oh thank you!


5. We know you’re a big fan of Uma Wang, what is it about the Uma pieces that work so well with your aesthetic and lifestyle?

Her clothing unfolds in me an emotional style of expression like I’m floating, so effortlessly elegant. The draping, volume and use of texture reflect one of quiet beauty.

6. Other than Uma, what are your favourite brands that we house at The Shelter?

taylor, I admire Vicki’s creative evolving vision. 

Jimmy D, his clever use of pattern and colour.
Lela Jacobs, for her beautiful fabrics and oversized silhouettes.
Thyen, for Joe’s strong emphasis on techniques using appliqué. 


Top left: Christine wears the Uma Wang Ace Cress in Black. Top right: Christine wears the Uma Wang Cotton Scarf in Black/Tan & the Ocean Dress in Black
Bottom middle: Christine wears the Uma Wang Kink Jacket in Black

7. How would you describe your personal style?

Confident. An eclectic mix of feminine and a little bit of tomboy.


8. What inspired the architecture of your home?

Piha. It’s an environment that calls for architecture which holds its own. The design is drawn from the modernist seaside home with an uncompromising exterior that resists and at the same time embraces the elements. Black sand and relentless ocean, sand dunes and fragrant wild grasses, a calling for black stained cedar, low tinted glass, concrete and natural timber. The interior walls are painted blanched pink which absorbs the fiery sunsets.

I wanted to create a home where I can work and also receive family and friends. A space that embodies a state of being calm, peaceful and in communion with nature.


9. What’s something not many people know about you?

Isn’t it a women’s prerogative to never kiss and tell?

For commissions, please contact Christine directly through Instagram
@robson_christine

Christine wears the Uma Wang Cotton Scarf in Black/Tan & the Ocean Dress in Black