Fair Fabrics wandtapijt in opdracht

The Rotterdam artist Jolanda Linssen has designed a beautiful tapestry of no less than 5.5 meters high! For the realization, she sought cooperation with Fair Fabrics. The tapestry was recently officially unveiled in primary school IKC De Lis in Rotterdam and was made possible in part by Stichting Droom en Daad.

Fair-Fabrics-NRC-Cadeauspecial-2022-main-landscape

We are proud! Commissioned by NRC, we have been able to develop an exclusive set of linen napkins and have them embroidered by hand in one of our workshops in Tunisia.

The napkins are made of supernumerary linen and silk yarn from the European high fashion industry and are temporarily available from NRC webshop in a numbered, limited edition.

The embroidery workshop where these napkins are made is located in eastern Tunisia, where embroidery has traditionally been very important. Najib learned the craft from his parents and started his own studio a few years ago. There are currently 5 women working in the studio, whom he has trained as a professional embroiderer. Najib would like to preserve the craft for the next generation and is therefore happy that younger women also work in his studio.

Fair Fabrics NRC cadeauspecial artisan workshop napkins

Najib, sister Zehra and the artisan embroiderers.

In the Netherlands, all napkins are sorted, provided with a wrapper and neatly packed by Monique and Lucy van Onze Zaak. Onze Zaak is a protected workplace for employees with a mental, psychological and physical disability.

Fair-Fabrics-NRC-cadeauspecial-2022-linnen-servetten

Monique and Lucy from Onze Zaak

For example, we are working on an increasingly accurate chain, in which we not only pay attention to working conditions, but also consider an inclusive field of work, recycling and upcyling of materials and sustainable logistics solutions.

But let’s not forget that, of course, the napkins turned out beautiful. They are made of supple and soft linen and each has a warm color as a base, on which a very subtle interplay of lines has been embroidered by hand. The yarns are made of silk, cotton and viscose and, like the linen, come from surplus stocks from the European high fashion industry. Top-quality materials that remained in the warehouses because the color just didn’t match, designs or entire collections were changed after ordering the fabric or have expired, but also simply because too much was ordered from the weaving mills.

Fair-Fabrics-NRC-Cadeauspecial-2022

Image: Mathijs Labadie

Fair-Fabrics-NRC-Cadeauspecial-2022

Image: Mathijs Labadie

Tunisia has gone through a turbulent time with, among other things, the highest Covid-19 infection rates of the entire African continent, but also national and international political unrest. The income of many trade studios has often been lost due to the recent economic downturn. With this special collaboration between NRC webshop and Fair Fabrics, Najib’s embroidery cooperative was provided with work for 1.5 months at a fair price, napkins with a beautiful impact.

Fair-Fabrics-NRC-Cadeauspecial-2022

Image: Mathijs Labadie

This product is exclusively available at the NRC webshop

Each set consists of 6 napkins in 2 different colours. There are 2 different color sets available: black & olive yellow and black & warm anthracite.

Colours: black, olive yellow and warm anthracite

Fair-Fabrics-NRC-Cadeauspecial-2022

Image: Mathijs Labadie

Fair-Fabrics-NRC-Cadeauspecial-2022

Image: Mathijs Labadie

Fair-Fabrics-NRC-Cadeauspecial-2022-artisan

Image: Najib

Fair Fabrics Workshop ontwerp je eigen vloerkleed

Fair Fabrics Studio Voor Goed Workshop ontwerp je eigen vloerkleed

On Friday December 2, Fair Fabrics will give a workshop where you can design your own rug.

The workshop starts with a short introduction about the makers; the workshops in the various countries with which Fair Fabrics has been working for years, in Morocco and Tunisia, among others. We zoom in further on the different techniques, patterns and colors. Then we get to work ourselves, based on the sample rugs and colors of wool that we have brought with us.

The aim of the workshop is to gain more insight into the possibilities within the traditional techniques and designs used and to combine this with one’s own wishes. Afterwards you will also have more knowledge about an age-old craft that is passed on from generation to generation.

After the workshop it is possible to have your own design for a floor or wall hanging made by one of our weaving mills. (read more about having a rug made here)

Location: Studio Voor Goed
Address: Lijnbaan 117
Time: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Bring your own: colored pencils (minimum 10 colors)
Maximum number of participants: 10 people
Sign up: Eventbrite

Fair Fabrics NRC vloerkleed wandkleed

Exclusively for NRC readers, Fair Fabrics has designed floor rugs and wall hangings and had it woven according to traditional methods in its Tunisian artisan workshops. The rugs are made with natural wool colors and are temporarily available from NRC in a numbered, limited edition. Both designs have been created in close collaboration with the weavers, based on what they make traditionally.

Fair Fabrics NRC floor rug

Photo: Mathijs Labadie

Insulation

Rugs are the mood makers in the house and offer a lot of extra comfort. They improve the acoustics, personalize the interior and insulate in both winter and summer. The combination of old techniques with this contemporary pattern gives your interior a special atmosphere. Rugs are nice for the layout of the living space. You can break a large room with it, while a small room with a rug gets depth and thus appears larger.

Fair Fabrics NRC floor rug organic dying

Photo: Mathijs Labadie

Craft

The rugs are traditionally woven with a natural color palette by a coalition of 4 smaller Tunisian craft workshops. The weavers’ years of experience ensure tight weaving, resulting in a high-quality rug that you will enjoy for years to come. All cooperatives from the coalition are now working together on the growth and professionalization of their craft workshops.

Fair Fabrics NRC floor rug artisan weavers

Exclusively at NRC

All rugs are exclusively for NRC readers, available in a numbered edition and provided with a label with the name of the maker.

Fair Fabrics NRC floor rug name artisan weavers

Photo: Mathijs Labadie

The rug is available in the sizes 140×200 cm and 170×240 cm.
This product is exclusively available at the NRC webshop

Fair Fabrics NRC floor rug medium large

Photo: Mathijs Labadie

Unique Fair Fabrics wall hanging

In addition to the rug, Fair Fabrics has also designed a tapestry and had it woven according to traditional methods in our Tunisian craft workshops. The rugs are made of undyed wool and are exclusively available in a numbered edition in the NRC webshop. The special design was created in collaboration with the weavers, based on what they traditionally make.

Fair Fabrics NRC wall hanging

Photo: Mathijs Labadie

Acoustics

Wall hangings are completely contemporary, they improve the acoustics and make the interior special and personal. Because they are all made by hand, each one is unique. You can see the hand of the maker in a landscape of combined knotting and weaving.

Fair Fabrics NRC wall hanging

Photo: Mathijs Labadie

Exclusively at NRC

All wall hangings are exclusively for NRC readers, available in a numbered edition and provided with a label with the name of the maker.

Fair Fabrics NRC wall hanging name artisan weaver

Photo: Mathijs Labadie

Fair Fabrics NRC wall hanging artisan weavers

The wall hanging is available in 50 x 70 cm and 70 x 100 cm.
This product is exclusively available at the NRC webshop.

Fair Fabrics NRC wall hanging medium and large

Tunisia

Tunisia has gone through a turbulent time with, among other things, the highest Covid-19 infection rates of the entire African continent, but also national and international political unrest. The income of many trade studios has often been lost due to the recent economic downturn. With this special collaboration between NRC webshop and Fair Fabrics, the weaving cooperative in Tunisia was provided with work for 4 months at a fair price, a tapestry with impact!

Fair Fabrics NRC floor rug artisan weavers

Look here if you want to have a rug made to measure.

The beautiful photo location is a design by Sander Mirck van Mirck Architecture that won the Daylight Award in 2021.

Fair Fabrics brand Marokko

Fair Fabrics fire Morocco

Usually we share good news, because it is of course nice to tell about. Although there is undoubtedly a lot happening behind the scenes, that’s less fun, last Friday’s incident was one of our deepest lows. One of our Moroccan weaving cooperatives has completely burned down.

When we first met 7 years ago, there were about 40 people working, now there are 700. The cooperative is located in a small rural community in Central Morocco. Almost every family within this community is connected to the weaving cooperative through one or more family members. Meaning that this disaster affects the entire community, who now have no income.

In addition, the cooperative supports homeless people and problem young people from the immediate vicinity through its own workshop. They offer these people a new future perspective by learning a trade.

Fortunately, they are brave and powerful. The whole village is helping to clean the weaving cooperative, so that they can start rebuilding soon. But they have to start all over again. All weaving looms have been lost, including the wool stock, the complete presentation room, the office, etc.

You can make a donation
to financially support the cooperative
in its reconstruction.

Please contact us so that we can transfer 100% of your donation to the cooperative.

In recent years they have made several products for Fair Fabrics, including cushion covers. We generally do not have any stock of products, as we only produce on demand. Often our producers make spare or extra products, in the end we buy them from them so that they do not get stuck with them. At the moment we have two different cushion sets available from this special Moroccan cooperative for sale in our web shop. 

Naturally, we contribute directly to the construction. In addition, we want to donate a substantial part of each cushion set sold directly to our cooperative.

Cushion cover set 1: donation to the cooperative € 37,50. (sales price € 75 in. VAT)

Cushion cover set 2: donation to the cooperative € 50. (sales price € 99 in. VAT)

The shipping costs are for our account. 
While stocks last.

Last May Fair Fabrics presented its latest project ‘The Language of Weaving’ during OBJECT Rotterdam.

Language of Weaving tapestries Fair Fabrics OBJECT 2022

Forms of language

With the project ‘ The language of weaving’ we want to investigate whether we can find a suitable way to connect even better between end-user and artisan. By providing more insight into these forms of language, we remove boundaries, and can better read and understand cultural identity. The Language Of Weaving is not scientific research, but a way to connect the worlds on an equal level and to exchange insights.

Language of Weaving tapestries Fair Fabrics OBJECT 2022 Photo Credits Frank Hanswijk

Detail. Photo credits: Frank Hanswijk

Artisan specialists

Berber weavers are artisans with many years of experience, but they are also often illiterate. They process important events and experiences through symbols and colours in the rug they weave.

The artisan weaver from the workshop in Tunisia is working on the presentation.

Symbolism

The form of language designs are intensely personal and must be interpreted with care. They often work with the symbols of love, nature, birth and happiness. But also stories in the form of personal convictions and life in the countryside are incorporated into the rugs. The form of language includes, for example, magic numbers and squares, verses from the Quran, Arabic script, geometric shapes, as well as references to the animal and vegetable kingdoms.

Language of Weaving tapestries Fair Fabrics OBJECT 2022 Photo Credits Pierre Banoori

Photo credits: Pierre Banoori

Tradition

The history of Berber motifs goes back hundreds of years. It is unknown whether the earliest designs were used on the body in the form of tattoos, or on material objects such as rugs, leather objects or carvings. However, the long tradition of this form of language is still an integral part of the culture of North African countries, and not just in the Berber-majority regions.

Language of Weaving tapestries Fair Fabrics OBJECT 2022 Photo Credits Maikel Jay

Daughter and father stamp a new design for a tapestry together. Photo credits: Maikel Jay

Online shop

For the first phase of the project, we have developed 4 rugs together with the artisan weavers, in which the different shapes, possible techniques and various designs have been applied. All copies from this 1st phase of the project are for sale in our online shop, they are all suitable for both the wall and the floor.

Concept & design ‘The Language of Weaving’: Karlijne Brand in collaboration with Fair Fabrics.

Light and installation : Marco Broeders Co2RO

Language of Weaving Tapestries Fair Fabrics OBJECT 2022 Dark & Stormy

Design studio Dark & Stormy stamping a new design.

A selection of tapestry designs by visitors to OBJECT 2022

 

Language of Weaving Tapestries Fair Fabrics OBJECT 2022 Photo Credits Lenny Oosterwijk

With stamps in the new design language, visitors could stamp their own design. Photo Credits: Lenny Oosterwijk

Fair Fabrics is geselecteerd voor OBJECT

From 20 to 22 May, the monumental HAKA building in Rotterdam will once again be dominated by inspiration and innovation during the 10th edition of the OBJECT Rotterdam design fair. Interior enthusiasts and design professionals can finally meet in person again.

OBJECT is a platform for interior inspiration, innovative design labels and limited editions from established and emerging designers. There is a mix of product, furniture, fashion, light and graphic design.

1 of the rugs that will be on display during OBJECT in the making

For each edition of OBJECT, the selection of designers is carefully selected by director Anne van der Zwaag, seeking a balance between commercial and conceptual designs. Fair Fabrics is proud to once again be part of this design fair and can be found on the 4th floor with the presentation ‘The language of Weaving’. And extra festive because just like Fair Fabrics, OBJECT is also celebrating a 10 year anniversary!

Design your own rug

During OBJECT, visitors can design their own rug that will be handwoven by a Tunisian artisan workshop. The presentation “The Language of Weaving” shows with several large rugs how the Berber symbolism of the artisan weavers serves as a special means of communication.

Photo: Frank Hanswijk

Berber weavers are artisans with many years of experience, but they are also often illiterate. They process important events and experiences through symbols and colours in the rug they weave.

The artisans of the ‘Language of Weaving’ collection in the workshop in Tunisia

Berber symbolism

The form of language designs are intensely personal and must be interpreted with care. They often work with the symbols of love, nature, birth and happiness. But also stories in the form of personal convictions and life in the countryside are incorporated into the rugs. The form of language includes, for example, magic numbers and squares, verses from the Quran, Arabic script, geometric shapes, as well as references to the animal and vegetable kingdoms.

Photo: Frank Hanswijk

The history of Berber motifs goes back hundreds of years. It is unknown whether the earliest designs were used on the body in the form of tattoos, or on material objects such as rugs, leather objects or carvings. However, the long tradition of this form of language is still an integral part of the culture of North African countries, and not just in the Berber-majority regions.

1 of the artisan weavers shows a first sample of the collection ‘The Language of Weaving’.

The Language of Weaving

With the project ‘ The language of weaving’ we want to investigate whether we can find a suitable way to connect even better between end-user and artisan. By providing more insight into these forms of language, we remove boundaries, and can better read and understand cultural identity. The Language Of Weaving is not scientific research, but a way to connect the worlds on an equal level and to exchange insights.

Different (old) collection of carpets from Fair Fabrics

Concept & design ‘The Language of Weaving’: Karlijne Brand in collaboration with Fair Fabrics.

Visit Fair Fabrics during OBJECT

The Language of Weaving can be seen during OBJECT Rotterdam 2022
HAKA building | Vierhavensstraat 38-42 | Rotterdam
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 May 2022 | 10am-6pm

Tickets are available online and at the door and cost € 15.00, children under 12 can enter for free.
www.objectrotterdam.com
www.rotterdamartweek.info
A ticket also gives free access to the Euromast during the preview and exhibition days
www.euromast.nl

Photo: Frank Hanswijk

Photo: Frank Hanswijk

Droom en Daad Foundation has opened an express window for art projects during the COVID-19 pandemic; the Makersloket. With this they have put a heart to dozens of Rotterdam artists by giving a direct financial impulse. Droom en Daad is going to Morocco!

Jolanda Linssen 

One of the makers who received a contribution from the Makersloket is the Rotterdam visual artist Jolanda Linssen. She works with different media such as drawing, painting, graphic techniques, ceramics and textiles. People are a recurring theme in her work. The appearance of a person, without being an image of anyone in particular. The appearance, skin, the surface are disturbed in various ways in order to search for the inner world.

Jolanda Linssen, foto: Huib Kooyker

IKC De Lis

The project for which Jolanda has submitted an application to Droom en Daad has the working title “wall tapestry”. Within her own theme she has made a design for a meters high tapestry. She has sought cooperation with Fair Fabrics to have the tapestry made by a professional artisan workshop in Morocco. As soon as it is ready, this rug will hang in primary school IKC De Lis in Rotterdam.

Basisschool IKC De Lis

Social entrepreneurship

During the project, a way was also sought to bring the connection between the artisan weavers and the children closer together. Recently, the HANDwerk teaching program was offered to the De Lis school, in which the craft was central and the children were also extensively acquainted with the weaving craft. On behalf of Fair Fabrics, Karin introduced the children to social entrepreneurship. The children in the class understood afterwards that it is of course not the intention for children to weave the carpets in Morocco, for example, and also that adults should not do that from early in the morning until late at night.

A first sample of the tapestry. Photo: Jolanda Linssen

Traveling to Morocco

In Morocco they are now waiting for our arrival, Jolanda and Karin go to the weaving workshop of Fatima to start the production of the tapestry together. The studio in the Atlas Mountains has already made a first sample, in which part of the total tapestry has been woven. We will take the stories we learn during our visit to the children of the school. And so Droom en Daad brings a piece of Rotterdam to Morocco and back again.

Fatima, copyrights Jenae Somedays, TBE

The first sample in the making

The first sample in the making

Karin from Fair Fabrics recently traveled to Jordan to go through a design thinking program with artisan entrepreneurs. The visit to Jordan leaves you wanting more! What a great country and fantastic and talented artisans.

Design Thinking in Jordan - Pottery from Manal from Amman, Jordan

Pottery from Manal from Amman, Jordan

Netherlands Embassy in Jordan

In collaboration with the Dutch embassy, Souq Fann/Leaders of Tomorrow organized a multi-day training Design Thinking in Jordan. With the help of the Design Thinking process, a step can be taken to enter the international market. Fair Fabrics founder Karin Kandt was therefore asked to design the program as an expert in this field. The entrepreneurs come from different provinces of Jordan. They are without exception very talented, each within their own craft. A good basis to continue working together to take the next step in quality design with the right ingredients.

Design Thinking in Jordan - The artisans are working on their 6 most important focus points.

The artisans are working on their 6 most important focus points.

Personal coaching

In addition to central sessions, in which beautiful examples of Dutch Design were used to inspire the artisans, there were also personal coaching sessions for all 30 participants. During the field visits, several workshops were visited in Jordan. In some cases, a concrete connection has already been made with potential Dutch enthusiastic customers. Fortunately, in addition to the full and intensive program, there was also enough time to get to know the country, its inhabitants and culture better. As far as possible in a week.

A pottery workshop in Wadi Musa

New pottery in the making.

We concluded the training with a 1-minute video pitch in which each entrepreneur introduced herself/herself to potential international clients. During the training we worked on 6 personal focus points to work with after the training.

Correctbook

We are very grateful to Social Enterprise NL colleague Correctbook because they ensured that all entrepreneurs received their own Correctbook as a gift. This was of course received with great enthusiasm by both the participants themselves and the children in the family ;-). Because not only the sustainable idea was appreciated. But the idea of giving where necessary, with a healthy business model behind it that inspired the participants, was also embraced.

The entrepreneurs in South Jordan with their Correctbook.

Even more happy entrepreneurs with their Correctbook (Amman)

Shiraka program Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The training was initiated by Leaders of Tomorrow and made possible by the Shiraka program of the Dutch Embassy in Jordan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The purpose of Shiraka in Jordan is, among other things, to support building economic growth and stimulating employment.

While visiting one of the workshops, Karin gets a demonstration from Lubna. Photo: Mohammad Sbeitan, Souq Fann

Project European Union

Leaders of Tomorrow aims to create a society of young, well-educated, critical and entrepreneurial leaders who are able to creatively serve their society. One of the successful projects is the e-commerce platform Souq Fann. This platform, financed by the European Union, offers assistance to artisanal entrepreneurs in the field of marketing and logistics. This allows them to grow their business and develop their skills. While customers around the world can also take a look at Jordan’s rich history and culture.

Karin is literally immersed in the Jordanian culture.

Design Thinking in Jordan - All entrepreneurs receive personal coaching from Karin in small groups. Photo: Mohammad Sbeitan, Souq Fann

All entrepreneurs receive personal coaching from Karin in small groups. Photo: Mohammad Sbeitan, Souq Fann

Design Thinking in Jordan - Photo: Mohammad Sbeitan, Souq Fann

Photo: Mohammad Sbeitan, Souq Fann