Let’s face it, we can all use some optimism right now. We are happy to see innovators in our sector that do not shy away from global challenges. In interiors, we see mindful, positive and expressive concepts. We see designers finding innovative solutions for sustainable production. We see consumers craving feel-good aesthetics: pleasant to the eye as well as to the touch. Here is a sneak peek of 3 developments in the handmade sector.
Inventive – circular design and sustainability in production
Designer Borre Akkersdijk has launched a digital platform and knit development hub to allow for clever textile design, rapid sampling and on-demand local production. With interior brand Natuzzi, ByBorre created a range of upholstery textiles.
Sensitive – well being, feel-good aesthetics in spaces that care for body and mind
House of Grey designed a mindful workspace, with lots of textiles for tactility. It showcases the work of handmade textile house Stitch by Stitch, who work with hand weavers in India on thoughtful design.
Expressive – fun and escapism, enjoyment in design. Celebrating traditional and ethnic patterns, antiques and heirloom pieces.
Interior architect India Mahdavi is focused on expressions and collaboration. For her Project Room, she invited makers and artists from all over the world to come and decorate the space. Les Crafties made the textiles for this project, while Chris Wolston designed the wicker chairs.
Are you a purpose-driven innovator? Tell your story!
Craftscurator is currently working on presentations on market developments in handmade and sustainable design. Our research focuses on purpose-driven brands. So, if you have a product with impact or a business model that makes a difference, tell us your story!
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Exporters from Laos, Cambodia and Bangladesh will showcase their best products in the CBI pop-up exhibition in Hall 6 Unique & Eclectic stand E122- F121 at Maison & Objet from September 9-13, 2021. Ranges of handwoven home textiles, fashion accessories, ceramics, recycled metal and rattan baskets and bags will be showcased in the iconic pop-up booth.
This innovative exhibition concept and the attached marketing strategy was developed in 2015 for CBI by Craftscurator, in collaboration with Mark Kwami. Booth design was done by DaphnaLaurens, and the visual identity for ‘Linking Maker & Market’ was designed by Rowan McCuskey. The exhibition has popped up at trade show such as Ambiente, Heimtextil and Maison & Objet in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
In 2019, CBI launched new export coaching programmes in 5 countries, in which over 80 small and medium sized businesses are participating. These aspiring exporters from Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Indonesia are all preparing for targeting the European home decoration and home textiles market. Training and coaching usually takes place in the country, but due to Covid most of the workshops have taken place online. Craftscurator is the coach for 11 companies from Laos, all specializing in textiles.
A selection of products from 17 companies from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar will be presented in the booth, which will be hosted by Craftscurator and colleagues. The full collection for the EU market can be found on M&O’s MOM platform. Sales representatives from the companies are not able to travel to the show, but are available by e-mail, whatsapp and zoom during and after the fair.
Participating exporters profiles:
Laos: | Ock Pop Tok | Tai Baan Crafts |
Bangladesh: | Aranya Crafts | Artefact | Basha Boutique |
Cambodia: | (H).A.N.D. |Color Silk | Fair Weave | Ironworks | Lotus Silk House | Manava | Morodok Ceramics | Norea Angkor Handicrafts | Reakossa Arts | Salasusu | Sentosasilk | Women for Women Foundation |
Discover the latest furniture, lighting, textiles, fashion accessories and homeware from 23 leading South African designers. Take a virtual walk through of the NEXT21 exhibition, online using the latest interactive video exhibition technology. Now in its 4th edition, the annual NEXT Trade Exhibition is an initiative of the South African Craft and Design Institute (CDI), which Craftscurator helped set up in 2018.
All 23 of the NEXT21 exhibitors have been coached through the CDI’s export development programme, which has supported over 70 businesses since inception. The CDI is a South African non-profit company with two decades of success in developing creative people, small businesses and the craft and design sector at large.
The export development programme has been running for several years and was initiated and run with the support of the Dutch Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI). Craftscurator coached the companies in the programme from 2015-2019 on behalf of CBI, which saw an average of over 50% increase in export sales (from 2016 to 2018 to European markets). The 2019 and 2020 events drew in dozens of international trade buyers from a diverse array of countries such as Denmark, France, Sweden, Italy and the US amongst other countries, many of whom travelled to Cape Town specifically for the trade exhibition in the past.
Says the CDI’s CEO Erica Elk: “Covid-19 has seen a major disruption to travel and impacted many global design industry events; through the use of technology we have enabled new avenues for international trade, which enables a greater number of buyers to find beautiful South African products.”
NEXT21 constitutes the first-ever digital expo for the CDI and will provide a dynamic video walkthrough for viewers. The online exhibition showcases a wide variety of export-ready producers who will all be launching brand-new, ready-to-order ranges on the platform. The participating businesses hail from across the nation and represent the best of South African craft and design. Exhibitors include a mix of well-established brands and rising stars such as Africa Ignite, Modern Gesture, Design Afrika, Ozzy Eco Décor and Studio Stirling, amongst others.
More information on South African exporters can be found in the posts on NEXT19, NEXT18 and SA@Maison & Objet
Milan Design Week 2019 was a true experience for all senses; this year we spotted many presentations with light, sound and scent effects. We decided to explore touch, by focusing on the tactility of textiles, and more specifically handmade textiles. By zooming in on fabric, we found the single thread was a leading concept. That is why our handmade highlights of 2019 consist of textiles with fringes, self-edges, filaments, tassels, loops and rope.
A couple of years ago there was nothing more camp than floor to ceiling carpeting, and nothing more old-fashioned than a wall hanging. Times have changed: textiles and carpets are back in the interior. During Milan design week, we hugged walls clad in textiles, made an entrance through heavy curtains, stumbled on layers and layers of carpets and considered wall panels the next van Gogh.
Textiles have become a central concept in interior decoration, whereas before it was often seen as a final touch - a decorative styling element. We now see the return of heavy drapes and thick carpets. Textile wallpaper is back, as well as rugs and panels on the wall. Throws and blankets are also key items for the next seasons: to be casually displayed on the sofa or the bed, or to be worn. See our previous post on wrapping yourself in textiles.
In Milan we looked closely at textiles, and saw complex weaves and knots, and lots of loose yarn, self-edges and filaments. But most of all, attention is on the structure of textiles – the individual thread – whether it is woven, knotted or tied. Yarn is carefully compiled – many two tone twisted yarns, lots of metallic filaments and paper strips. Bold and bright colours are used for yarn, but because of the complexity of the weaves and structures, beautifully balanced colourways are created.
Bold colour statements are made using ikat dye techniques or intricate jacquard weaving. There is also much focus on how textiles are embellished, as featured in my post on Lidewij Edelkoort’s Folklore presentation. There is attention on finishes, by adding fringes, ribbons, tassels, knots and stitches. No wonder some of the most influential designers of this hour are textile and pattern designers, doing research into weaving and rug making.
This article is available in Dutch, too, published on Stylink.nl
More information on product trends and market developments?
‘There is future in folklore’ Lidewij Edelkoort states at the start of her trend presentation for summer 2020. In different corners of the world, people share similar ideas about how to dye fabric, weave colours, embroider flowers and embellish textiles. Edelkoort predicts a textile revival, and opportunities for craft producers. Craftscurator attended the presentation and picked the most interesting insights for makers and designers, working in the home and interior industry.
The fashion industry has reached a dead end, Edelkoort stated once again. It can’t go on repeating styles and tricks, leaving behind endless streams of waste and pollution. Edelkoort believes there is future in folklore, in cultural expression that is shared by people. We should focus on what we share, what binds us, instead of what divides us.
The spot-on images illustrating Edelkoort’s talk are optimistic and expressive. It is remarkable how intercultural the visual presentation is - blending and respecting all cultures. Edelkoort also addresses cultural appropriation - adoption of certain elements from another culture without the consent of people who belong to that culture. A difficult subject, she says, because craft and culture is constantly developing and changing. Simultaneous developments are happening, and across cultures similar techniques and patterns have been used for centuries. Edelkoort sees those similarities as hopeful, something that connects us. What is disturbing, of course, is the blatant use and abuse of cultural expressions by copycats, she says.
Folklore is often expressed in the embellishment of textiles. Here are 4 highlights selected by Craftscurator, with inspiring contemporary craft examples;
Embroidery - Expressive floral embroidery, think of the Romanian farmer’s blouse which also was a source of inspiration for Matisse and other artists. Besides figurative patterns, there are lots of interesting geometrical patterns. Expressive does not necessarily mean bright colours, since there is also tonal embroidery, but it is always abundant. Knot embroidery creating a terry-like or tufted texture. Embroidery with beads and bugles, too. And most importantly: embroidery on top of a woven pattern*
Embellishment - Bring out the pompoms, tassels, fringes and other techniques to adorn textiles. Again, the technique is applied in an abundant manner, but colours can be subdued or more saturated. Checks and stripes are great backdrops for these embellishments.
Ribbons, borders and selvedges - Woven and knotted ribbons, lots of Latin American influences. Textiles are often framed by bold borders. Often selvedges play a role to give a pop of colour to a product. Handwoven ribbons and strips that are narrow are often stitched together to create a generous throw or bold cushion cover.
Appliqué and patchwork - Patching and quilting is used to make textiles thicker and more textured. Recycled textiles are often used for patchwork, creating unique and interesting effects. Reverse appliqué is done in Colombia and Panama, as well as in India and Bangladesh. Intricate and bold patterns in geometrical patterns.