MEET THE DESIGNER
Emerging designer Svetlana Willems of Franquemont tells us the inspiration behind her brand and debut fabric collection
Why did you shift careers and what appealed to you about designing fabrics?
I had always been drawn to fabrics and on holidays I would always spend time sourcing local patterns and prints. My passion grew during the renovation of my canal house in Amsterdam; I would spend hours looking for exquisite fabrics and became fascinated by the stories behind them. In the pandemic I realised I should turn this into a profession. I took a textile design course at Central Saint Martins and launched Franquemont in 2023 with a mission to celebrate the world’s historic textile designs, reinventing them for today’s homes.
What inspired your debut collection?
The inaugural Heritage Collection was inspired by my Dutch-indonesian background and a piece of batik fabric so beautiful it drove me to pivot careers and set up my own interior fabrics brand. I delved into the history of batik and was in awe of the traditional craftsmanship; this collection is an ode to those prints of the past.
And what inspired the name Franquemont?
While researching batik I came across the story of Carolina Josephina von Franquemont. I was moved by her legacy and her similar intentions of creating batiks with a mix of Javanese and European motifs, which made me decide to name the company after her.
Which is your favourite fabric design?
Peacock and Java are my favourites. Peacock took me on a design journey through which I learnt the exhilarating process of getting an idea from concept to finished fabric. I love the versatility of Java as it coordinates with all the fabrics, but it can also take centre stage.
What is coming up from Franquemont?
Our mission is to create artisanal pieces with the same enduring style and quality as the heirloom textiles we celebrate. With our fabrics and papers, we look to laud the rich heritage of textile design from around the globe. Expect more culturally rich, artistic textiles and papers in autumn 2024.