MLR Studio is owned by Marie-Louise Rosholm, a textile design graduate from 1984, following years of vocational training at weaving and tailoring. This blend of hands-on skills, a theoretical framework and close to 40 years of experience from the fashion, home textiles and technical textiles industries in Europe – Italy in particular – as well as in overseas manufacturing countries make MLR one of Scandinavia’s most well-versed textile design experts.
Working out of Milan and Copenhagen, and after having served world-famous brands like Ermenegildo Zegna, Bennetton, Clerici, DePadova and many others in Italy, MUJI in Japan, Kinnasand and IKEA in Sweden, Liniedesign in Denmark, the world’s biggest producer of sustainable textile fibers Lenzing in Austria, as well as a wide range of high-end textile manufacturers, MLR today advises the textile industry on issues related to textile innovation and forecasting, based amongst other on constant monitoring of current and emerging trends in the industry through visiting trade fairs and design events all over Europe.
“Her knowledge and expertise regarding trends give us comfort we are always on track using the correct materials and colours. MLR has a vast network of suppliers, sewing rooms and weaving mills, which was important to us, as we had no idea where to begin. Moreover, she is professional, and right from the start, she understood our needs regarding price, quality and quantities – but she was also capable of challenging our own ideas and preconceptions”
Mia Koed, Creative Director, WOUD, Denmark
As a natural part of working with industry and trend forecasting, MLR has always had a long-term and pragmatic perspective on textile innovation. For more than fifteen years, a strong focus on sustainability – from fiber manufacturing to end-of-life strategies, as well as indicating directions to future-proofing manufacturers throughout the value-chain, has played a cardinal role, in particular trough sourcing, fiber and material innovation, as well as downstream process optimization to improve the sector’s footprint. Currently, the concept of regenerative design carries in it a great potential, both from a sustainability and a business generation point of view. For MLR, making sure that companies in the textile industry to prepare for emerging concepts like ESG and EcoDesignDirectives with realistic and workable solutions also for longer-term perspectives.
“We once more understood that sustainability, longevity and usefulness of the fabrics will be the first priority in every process from the design stage through to the consumer.”
Dilek Akay, Quality Assurance, CAN Textile, Turkey
The social aspect of sustainability has also materialized in several empowerment projects, financed by UNIDO, the EU and other international bodies, already from 2004 and up until today. Projects include working with artisans, redesigning local products in Brazil, Egypt, Italy and South China, developing local crafts into products for an international market in Pakistan and developing the textile industry in Casablanca, Morocco to match the demands of the international market in order to increase export.
MLR lectures regularly, both in Denmark and abroad, including DAE Eindhoven, Universitá della Campania and Instituto Europeo di Design in Italy, MOME University in Budapest, the Design School in Copenhagen and Design School Kolding in Denmark, where she chaired the textile section at the Institute of Industrial Design from 1993 – 1996.
“I’ve been an R&D role in H&M for 5years and now fabric specialist for Bestseller for 1 year. I’ve seen a lot of trends from different brands and many different kinds of fabrics every season. Sometimes I feel its quite blur ..What you’ve showed us is quite clear and inspiring! I feel can apply on our developing easily . I believe you must have done a lot research and have strong fabric knowledge background. I appreciate to have the chance to join the meeting.”
Judy Ji, fabric specialist, Bestseller China
MLR heads the Sustainable Innovation Network of Design Denmark, founded the Danish Color Board in 2016 and has presided over Intercolor since 2021. She received the Danish Design Council’s Honorary Award in 2021, as well as a Work grant from Danish Art Foundation in 2023.
Since 2018, MLR is an appointed design expert judge to the Copenhagen Østre Landsret (High Court).
MLR works fluently in Danish, English and Italian.