Woolmark helps three Dutch designers adapt to wool

Located in Tilburg, the Netherlands, the TextielLab is part of the TextielMuseum and is a unique textile production and knowledge centre where designers can experiment and create their own fabrics and materials.

Made possible by The Woolmark Company in conjunction with creative institute Premsela (part of The New Institute) and the TextielMuseum, the Wool Diaries sees three Dutch designers focus on creating unique and innovative fabrics from wool. From the material created each designer formed a mini collection of two to three innovative and sustainable designs in their own studio.

Borre Akkersdijk (byBorre), Pauline van Dongen and Oda Pausma took the challenge to emphasise the importance of experimenting, historical research and the innovative implementation of wool and techniques.

The Woolmark Company country manager for Benelux, Ingrid Oomen, said the Wool Diaries project was a joint effort by all organisations involved.

“All three institutions invited three young, talented Dutch designers to create unique and innovative knits and wovens with Merino wool,” Ms Oomen said. “Starting with only yarn, the designers learnt how to work with wool in an experimental way.

“The Woolmark Company’s role was to provide information on wool and access to suppliers. The TextielLab guided the designers technically and has the final mini collections on exhibition in its museum. Premsela arranged the PR and made a film – which visually diarises the day-to-day work of the designers during the month and hence the name the Wool Diaries.”

The mini capsule collections and the film will be exhibited in the TextielMuseum until September 29.

ByBorre

The team behind byBorre, consisting of fashion designer Borre Akkersdijk and graphic designer Daan Spangenberg was inspired by the great outdoors. As a sustainable alternative to the many synthetic materials which are used in performance wear these days, the duo researched the essence of wool and the loom.

With only one yarn, byBorre created both extremely thin and thick fabrics that highlight the waterproof and dirt repellent character of wool.

The final collection, titled Binary Collection, is a series of timeless and classic outfits which require minimal maintenance.