About Karen
Karen Thorn was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1966.
At the age of four Karen was already a knitter, intrigued by unusual colour combinations and a desire to push the boundaries of “normal”. Karen’s early influences were Elizabeth Zimmermann (b. Aug 9, 1910 – November 30, 1999) and Meg Swansen, her daughter. Brilliant knitters both technically and innovatively, Elizabeth and Meg pushed the boundaries of form, and pattern in knitted textiles. Karen was fascinated by their use of colour and patterning.
Growing up, Karen was never completely satisfied with “off the rack” clothing, as her mother dressed her in custom made clothes from a very early age. Consequently, Karen’s main focus in textile exploration produces niche fibre ensembles that challenge the status quo of expression in fashion and home decor.
Karen studied at the Haliburton School of Art and Design, receiving a Certificate in Fibre Arts in 2016 and previously at Sheridan College, majoring in Fashion Technique and Design - Knit (1989). She is currently on the faculty at HSAD for Basic Construction in the Fibre Arts Certificate Program.
A published knitwear designer and past yarn shop/design studio owner, Karen’s artistic focus presently is fantastical themes that mix mediums, colour and textures. Karen’s fibre passions include knitting, weaving, wet/dry felting, pattern design, textile dying, painting, and sewing. Karen currently hones her craft in Huntsville, Ontario at Fibre, her studio/gallery of fibre arts.
About Fibre , The Store and the Studio
Fibre, houses a multitude of Ladies Fashions inspired by Fibre Art. Featuring name brand Ladies Fashion, more typically Canadian based and full of artful inspiration the offering is the culmination of Karen Thorn’s love of textiles and fibre artistry. Fibre also houses Karen’s own brand line “Frockful of Funk. Determined to highlight and educate people to the many possibilities of fibre based arts, the purpose of the in house studio is to promote fibrearts based fashion and accessories where fibre is transformed into exceptional, masterpieces. Karens’ passion for providing incredible customer service and unique offerings is what drives the showcased product offering.
A published knitwear designer, Faculty member at the Haliburton School of Art and Design, award winning seamstress and “Frockmaster” of her fashion line, “Frockful of Funk”, Karen’s experience and lifelong journey in fibre brings eclectic, colourful choices to the collections at Fibre.