Anne Franke
After completing her studies in Communication Design in 1993 under the guidance of Professor Klaus Winterhager in Wuppertal, Anne Franke co-founded a design studio with a fellow student. Over her 30-year career as a communication designer, she worked with numerous clients from the paper industry, which fueled her affinity for paper, especially natural papers, and led her to develop new ideas.
Anne’s affinity with fine, sensual uncoated papers started in her design studio – the communication strategy she developed for the company was about »using paper to promote paper«. The samples books, for example, featured shaped, cut and embossed paper objects which were embedded in a framework story. However, Anne’s creative involvement with this material went far beyond her day-to-day work. She has completed an extremely delicate-looking, imaginative and sophisticated collection of jewellery. »I did lots of experiments with different papers before deciding on a special type,« explains Anne Franke. She created delicate blossoms and leaves, lined up on fine chains, feather-light, dancing like snowflakes: simple and yet exquisite, with artistic embossing and in a certain way opulent. It’s hard to describe these pieces in words – but not hard at all to imagine yourself wearing them.
(Bettina Schulz, München)
The Embossing Tools –
The Core of the »Blanc de neige« Collection
A few years ago, I took a trip to Brussels and visited the „Grande Place du Sablon.“ Every Sunday, an antique market was held there – a place full of curiosities and unique finds. I was especially fascinated by the antique embossing tools, which can now be seen on this page of my website. These tools were once – and in some cases still are – used in haute couture and millinery for making silk flowers.
I saw them, was instantly captivated, and an idea quickly took shape: Could these tools also be used to emboss a variety of natural papers? I gave it a try – and the result was astonishing. The blind embossing, in particular, revealed a poetic quality through the interplay of light and shadow.
In the beginning, I created many of my designs solely in white or combined various shades of white. Over time, I began experimenting with silver leaf, color pigments, and natural plant dyes – but white still plays a central role in my work.
I am always on the lookout for new (old) embossing tools to further expand the diversity of leaf and flower shapes in my creations.
