Selyn Textiles takes Sri Lankan handlooms to Dutch Design Week

Selyn’s next generation leader and Director of Business Development Selyna Peiris (right) with Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in the Netherlands Aruni Ranaraja, Selyn Textiles Co-Founder Robert Meeder, Bangladesh Ambassador in the Netherlands and former envoy in Sri Lanka M. Riaz Hamidullah and Netherland’s Ambassador in Sri Lanka Bonnie Horbach

Visitors are taken on a journey from fibre to finished product, exploring how Selyn Textiles is repositioning Sri Lankan handloom as a sustainable option supported by blockchain technology from PaperTale

Selyn, one of Sri Lanka’s most loved home-grown handloom brands has achieved yet another milestone in its 32 year journey by showcasing Selyn Textiles in the prestigious Dutch Design Week (DDW) in the Netherlands.

Their portfolio consisted of hand-woven textiles using Sri Lanka’s natural fibres including banana waste, all integrated with blockchain technology to transparently show the social and environmental impact within their supply chain.

The DDW is one of Europe’s most important showcases for design, concentrating on the design of the future and the future of design’ setting trends for the design industry globally. This unique project took centre stage at the Kazerne, DDW’s premiere address showcasing design innovation and talent from across the globe. Positioned between international designers and trendsetting brands from textiles, to design solutions and the latest cutting-edge technology, Selyn Textiles installation was an exemplary showcase of integrated regenerative materials, social development, climate mitigation, technology and sustainable growth coming from the global South of the world.

This showcase is the result of a visionary and collaborative partnership between Selyn Textiles and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka. Following Selyn Textiles launch in Sri Lanka last October, with the leadership of Ambassador Bonnie Horbach, Selyn worked closely with Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands interior architect Nicole van der Velden, to rejuvenate its Colombo office and residence. The core of this endeavour involved a sustainable and innovative approach, recycling old furniture and reupholstering it with the revolutionary blockchain-integrated fabrics developed by Selyn Textiles.

Dutch Ambassador Horbach said, “We had a unique opportunity to collaborate with Sri Lanka’s leading and innovative textiles manufacturer Selyn, to create a fully traceable and transparent partnership that traced people, planet and impact from fibre to finished products that sit in our office.”

“This ambitious initiative not only aligns with the Embassy’s circular economy objectives but also resonates deeply with Europe’s broader sustainability aspirations. However, it goes beyond mere environmental considerations. The collaboration between the Embassy and Selyn Textiles challenges conventional norms and addresses fundamental issues of decolonisation and equity. The overarching goal is to shift power dynamics, recognise the intrinsic value of products from the global south, and ensure that profits flow back into the supply chain, benefitting all stakeholders,” she added.

The launch itself was attended by dignitaries, international press, policymakers and global design aficionados Li Edelkoort, Birgitta de Vos and Annemoon Geurts. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in the Netherlands Aruni Ranaraja, Fariba Derakhshani from the Prince Claus Fund and representatives from the Dutch Design Foundation were also in attendance. Having such attendance and exposure whilst promoting craft and innovation not only promotes Sri Lanka as a destination and hub of design and innovation but signals to the world that Sri Lanka is open for business.

 

Paper Tale Technologies Founder and CEO Bilal Bhatti said, “It is imperative that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from across the globe, particularly those in the craft sector, have access to the necessary technology to ensure the transparency needed to effectively communicate their significant impact stories. This will also prepare them to confront the market access challenges imposed by the EU 2030 digital passport requirements. Paper Tale takes pride in its role as a partner to Selyn Textiles in their pioneering efforts to transform the textile industry.”

Selyn’s next generation leader and Director of Business Development Selyna Peiris said, “This project had its origins during the height of the pandemic and the turmoil in the Sri Lankan economy and society. Leveraging Selyn’s remarkable journey, my partner, Robert Meeder, and I identified a unique opportunity to unite our respective strengths and communities while harnessing technology and innovation. Fast forward three years, and finding ourselves at the centre of the design world and setting global trends is a tremendous honour. Our collaboration with the Dutch Embassy embodies a vision centred on co-creation, thorough research, and an unwavering commitment to transparency and equality. It also serves as a testament to Sri Lanka’s potential, and I firmly believe that the path we have taken as a craft company in our country can be replicated to facilitate global market access for numerous SMEs in the agriculture and other craft sectors of our nation. Sri Lanka’s size and scale allows us to swiftly set an example globally by championing radical transparency and ethical practices in our supply chains.”

The Selyn Textiles exhibition and presentation will be on display until February 2024 at the Kazerne (Paradijslaan 2, 5616 NC Eindhoven - The Netherlands).