Through textile, I craft an art that honors natural beauty, elegant sobriety, impermanence, and the wisdom of the plant world.
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It all started on a trip…
Asia, the warm breeze, the landscapes of Japanese gardens filled with silence. There, I discovered a place where one could listen differently, where the gaze opens up, and where time expands.
When I returned, writing and teaching naturally became my focus: to share, to question, and to look at the world with softness, humanity, and compassion.
A significant encounter with Bill Mahony, a professor of Sanskrit whose class focused on the values of truth, goodness, and beauty, profoundly influenced my creative process.
The words“Truth”and“Goodness” often appear in my work as an imprint of this teaching.
It was at this point that the study of plant medicine became part of my path, deepening this quest for the living.
This exploration opened a new perspective on the relationship between nature and humanity, and continues to inspire my work: natural pigments, delicate textures, plant memories.
The Japanese inspiration and the art of mindful slowness
Japanese aesthetics are a deep source of inspiration.
As in Zen gardens, each element finds its rightful place.
The beauty of the present moment, the impermanence of things, and a sense of essential simplicity guide my perception and my work.
This sensibility aligns with the philosophy of slow living: respecting the rhythm of matter, honoring the time creation calls for, and letting objects emerge as invitations to contemplation and presence.
Material and Gesture
Linen, cotton, and hemp become the canvas for patient and sensitive craftsmanship.
Cyanotype, plant dyes, and shibori reveal the depth of the fibers and the poetry of their imprints.
Every gesture is intentional, every design emerges from a dialogue between hand, material, and light.
No two pieces are ever alike.
Studio and Collaborations
The creations take shape in the heart of the Swiss mountains, at an altitude of 1,250 meters, on the edge of the Jura Vaudois Nature Park. In this studio surrounded by nature, the seasons set the pace for the creative process.
Cyanotype boxes allow us to play with light when the winter sun is less intense. An indigo vat welcomes the folds of shibori designs, revealing its deep blues.
Some pieces are also adorned with the delicate brushstrokes of Mona, who hand-paints delicate cherry tree branches onto linen. This rare and sensitive collaboration brings together two artistic visions and two crafts, giving rise to creations of singular elegance.
A world of presence
Launched in 2019
Cecile Au Zen initially focused on creating products for yoga and meditation: bolsters, zafus, zabutons, yoga bags, and related accessories.
Today
The brand is expanding its offerings to accompany the daily lives of those seeking authentic, soothing, and sustainable textiles and home goods.
These objects also find their place in wellness spaces, designer boutiques, and concept stores, where they bring a soft, natural, and timeless touch.
Cecile Au Zen it is…
Creations adopted in
13 countries
+50
Custom-made creations
+90
Unique yoga bolsters
23
loyal customers
600
bookmarks
But also strong convictions:
Creating one-of-a-kind pieces or limited editions
Handcrafting each piece in our Swiss workshop
Carefully selecting natural materials
Creating artisanal dyes, rooted in ancestral techniques.
Revealing the vegetal through a different lens and imprinting a trace of its wisdom onto the fabric
Each thread thus becomes a witness to a story where beauty, poetry, and humanity meet.
We hope these creations will move you as much as we have enjoyed bringing them to life.
Your wordsgentle
Discover the creations currently available
Each piece, crafted by hand, combines precise craftsmanship with a harmonious blend of colors and shapes to become a truly exceptional object.