Description
Le Klint’s Pleating Tradition, Reimagined in Felt
The Le Klint Softly Pleated I Pendant Lamp takes one of the most recognisable elements of Danish lighting design — Le Klint’s hand-folded pleats — and gives it an entirely different material character.
Instead of the paper and lampshade foil traditionally associated with the brand, Softly Pleated I is formed from felt. The change of material gives the familiar folding technique a softer, more tactile appearance while preserving the precise geometry that makes a Le Klint shade immediately recognisable.
Designed by Philip Bro Ludvigsen
Softly Pleated I was designed by Philip Bro Ludvigsen, whose collaboration with Le Klint began in 1995. His work for the Danish lighting manufacturer frequently explores contemporary interpretations of the pleated lampshades established by the Klint family.
The Softly Pleated concept actually predates its commercial launch. The design was first shown at the Snedkernes Autumn Exhibition in Denmark in 2014 before being developed into one of Le Klint’s principal new collections for 2025.
A Round Form with a Le Klint Heritage
Le Klint refers to Softly Pleated I as the round member of the collection. Its shade is constructed from triangular pleated segments which come together to create the full circular silhouette.
There is also a deliberate connection with one of the company’s most recognisable historical forms: Kaare Klint’s Model 101. Softly Pleated I does not copy the classic lamp, but its rounded folded silhouette allows the new felt design to remain visibly connected to the wider Le Klint design language.
Hand-Pleated Felt
Each Softly Pleated pendant is folded by hand, continuing the specialist craft that Le Klint maintains in Odense, Denmark.
The felt itself is created from fibres that are carded and then needle-felted together. Because of this process, subtle variation in the composition and colour tone of the material can occur, and individual threads may occasionally appear in different colours.
These variations are a natural consequence of the material and manufacturing process rather than an attempt to make every shade completely uniform.
Warm Ambient Light with Clear Downward Illumination
Softly Pleated I is designed to produce two different lighting effects simultaneously. The folded form provides a clear downward light beneath the pendant, while dense, small perforations across the felt allow softer light to filter through the shade itself.
That combination makes the pendant particularly useful above a dining table. The surface below receives practical illumination while the surrounding room benefits from a warmer, gentler glow rather than all of the light being concentrated directly downwards.
Softly Pleated I Sizes
RB12 offers Softly Pleated I in three sizes, allowing the scale of the pendant to be matched more closely to the room and surface beneath it.
- Small: Ø42 cm × H29 cm
- Medium: Ø62 cm × H41 cm
- X-Large: Ø94 cm × H54 cm
The Small size provides the most compact expression of the design, while the 62 cm Medium creates considerably greater presence above a dining or living area. At 94 cm in diameter, the X-Large becomes a substantial architectural feature suited to larger rooms and commercial interiors.
A Different Construction for the X-Large Pendant
The X-Large version is more than simply an enlarged shade. Le Klint equips the 94 cm model with an acrylic top plate and bottom diffuser, together with a three-point suspension in a brass finish and a matt white ceiling canopy.
This construction helps support the larger scale and gives the X-Large design a more architectural suspension system suited to its 94 cm diameter.
A Felt Pendant for Dining Rooms and Living Spaces
Softly Pleated I is especially effective in rooms dominated by harder finishes such as stone, glass, metal or timber. Introducing a large textile-like surface overhead adds visual softness without requiring additional upholstered furniture or decorative fabric.
Above a dining table, the rounded shade creates a natural focal point while the downward illumination supports the practical use of the table beneath it. In living rooms and open-plan spaces, the larger sizes can instead help visually define a seating or dining zone within the wider room.
Felt with Natural Sound-Absorbing Qualities
Felt is also naturally sound absorbing, giving Softly Pleated another useful characteristic in larger spaces. The pendant should not be treated as a substitute for a dedicated acoustic system, but the soft material can contribute differently to a room than conventional hard lighting materials.
This combination of light, texture and acoustic character is one reason Le Klint positions the collection for larger environments including foyers, lounges, restaurants, hotels and canteens as well as private homes.
Small & Medium Light Source
For the Small and Medium versions, Le Klint specifies an E27 lamp holder with a maximum 20W LED light source.
Because the electrical specification of the X-Large version is presented separately by the manufacturer, the light-source requirements for your selected size should always be checked before purchasing a bulb.
Explore Le Klint Lighting at RB12
Discover more Le Klint lighting at RB12, from contemporary interpretations such as Softly Pleated I and Celine to designs derived from the Danish manufacturer’s historic folding tradition.
You can also explore RB12’s wider collection of designer pendant lights for alternative scales, materials and lighting effects.
Features
- Designed by Philip Bro Ludvigsen
- Launched by Le Klint in 2025
- Model 164
- Hand-pleated felt shade
- Perforated surface creates a soft ambient glow
- Provides clear downward illumination
- Natural sound-absorbing qualities associated with felt
- Small: Ø42 × H29 cm
- Medium: Ø62 × H41 cm
- X-Large: Ø94 × H54 cm
- Small and Medium: E27 socket, maximum 20W LED
- X-Large includes acrylic top plate and bottom diffuser
- X-Large includes three-point suspension in a brass finish
- X-Large supplied with a matt white canopy
Highlights
- A contemporary felt interpretation of Le Klint’s celebrated hand-pleating tradition
- Combines practical downward lighting with a softer glow through the perforated shade
- Tactile felt introduces warmth into interiors dominated by harder materials
- Three sizes allow the design to move from residential pendant to large-scale statement light
- Hand-folded construction gives the pendant a strong connection to Le Klint’s Danish craft heritage
- Felt provides natural sound-absorbing qualities particularly relevant to larger interiors
