Recouture is a fashion design studio based in Hadelad, on the outskirts of Oslo, whose work centres on restoring and reinterpreting Norwegian åkle (pronounced OH-kleh), a traditional tapestry textile rich in colour, structure and history. Their approach to materials aligned naturally with the HÅG Capisco, a chair built around longevity and strong sculptural form. The result was a spectacular set of 12 unique HÅG Capisco chairs, each upholstered with a different åkle, carefully matched with a fabric and metal coating to bring it to life. Bringing the two together meant starting with the textile itself.
For every new project, Recouture founder Hilde Hoff Nordskar starts by getting to know the åkle textile itself. She lays it out flat, checks the colours, the structure, and the small variations that reveal how it was made.
“Every åkle is unique,” she says. “Woven by a single pair of hands, on a loom somewhere in Norway, decades ago," she says. "Before I do anything else, I try to understand the story it already carries."
For Hilde, this is the core of her work: taking materials that have lived long lives but now lie hidden in drawers, bringing them back into the light and giving them new life. Materials with rich histories behind them, ready to be guided into new ones through mindful restoration and design.
Find out how you can create your own åkle HÅG Capisco with Recouture
What is åkle?
An åkle is a traditional patterned woven textile, originally used as a bedcover and as wall insulation. When homes became warmer, they were often displayed as wall decoration instead. The word comes from Old Norse and means “bedspread,” and the tradition of weaving åkle in Norway dates back to the Middle Ages.
For centuries, åkle were created across the country, and each region developed its own patterns and weaving techniques. They were typically woven with richly coloured wool in the weft and cotton in the warp, and today they represent a rich and diverse cultural heritage.
"Åkle for me is heritage," Hilde says. "It reminds me of my grandparents' generation. When I work with åkle, I think about the person who sat at the loom and the life it had before it reached me."
Because each åkle is unique in colour, pattern, and condition, Hilde begins every project with respect. She focuses on understanding how the textile can be reused and reshaped without losing the qualities that make it special.
Deep dive article into the history of åkle with four unique stories
Finding åkle: A mix of chance, search, and trust
Åkle reaches Hilde in many ways. Some pieces are found in thrift stores. Others she discovers online and purchases. People also gift åkle to her when they want it to be appreciated again. And some clients come to Recouture with åkle that has been in their families for generations.
"It can be nerve-wracking to cut into something that means so much to someone," Hilde says. "But it is also incredibly humbling. Helping to restore, preserve, and give new life to a textile that carries a family's history is a responsibility I take seriously. That I get to transform someone’s memory of their grandparent into something they can wear and use every day — that feels like an honour."
This intimate relationship with the material adds a layer of meaning to everything she makes.
A natural match: Åkle meets HÅG Capisco
When HÅG approached Hilde to explore whether åkle could be integrated into the HÅG Capisco, the ergonomic chair known for its sculptural silhouette and long lifespan, she immediately saw the potential.
"I was really excited. HÅG Capisco is a part of Norwegian design history. The idea of bringing these older tapestries together with such a recognisable modern shape felt like a natural combination."
The values aligned easily. "We share the same approach," she says. "Both Recouture and HÅG believe in keeping things in use. We design for longevity."
Working with HÅG Capisco's curves brought its own challenges. The åkle textile had to stretch, fold, and align precisely while maintaining its character. Through shaping, cutting, and sewing, Hilde slowly brought two different histories together: Norwegian craft tradition and contemporary ergonomic design.
Find out how you can create your own åkle HÅG Capisco with Recouture
The finished result
Seeing the completed åkle-covered HÅG Capisco for the first time was an emotional moment.
"It becomes almost like a piece of jewellery in a room," Hilde says. "The pattern, the form, the history, everything comes together."
As part of this collaboration, twelve limited edition chairs have been created. Each one is entirely unique, shaped by the original tapestry it came from and by Hilde's careful craftsmanship.
If you are interested in creating your own åkle-covered HÅG Capisco, we are offering the opportunity to collaborate directly with Hilde. Learn more here.
If you are curious about the broader HÅG Capisco universe, we offer hundreds of colour and material combinations across our standard and extended collections, designed for long-lasting comfort, circularity, and everyday use.
