Bente Hammer (born 1950) is a Danish textile artist and fashion designer. Born in Helsinge in the north of Zealand, she moved to the island of Bornholm in 1987 where she opened a workshop and boutique in an old smithy on Nyker Hovedgade, the main street in Nyker, about 7 km northeast of Ronne.[1] In 2011, she opened a second store in Svaneke together with the jewellery designer Nina Schrøder.[2] [3]
She is said to make "one-of-a-kind clothing made of handprinted textiles".[4] She uses a wealth of different materials in her works and has created many colorful printed fabrics.[5] Hammer has designed dresses for clients such as Queen Margrethe and the actress Ghita Nørby. A kimono designed by Hammer was presented to Queen Margrethe on the occasion of her 70th birthday by Bornholm Regional Municipality.[6] In an extensive interview on Denmark's TV2, she explains how she learnt the art of textile design at Mulle Høyrups Eksperimentelle Værkstedskole, a small specialized school with only six students. There she was able to appreciate the individuality of the craft at a time when most of those working in the textile business simply worked for large international producers. She completed her studies in 1973.[7]
In October 2012, Hammer who is a member of ACAB Arts and Crafts Bornholm was together with the association's president, Maibritt Jønsson, selected to represent the island of Bornholm at a conference on creative design in eastern Iceland with a view to inspiring local craftsmen in their work.[8]