5 questions for Mae Engelgeer
A lot of interesting characters cross our paths during Milan Design Week 2015. We asked them 5 exactly the same questions.
We met Dutch textile designer Mae Engelgeer at Ventura Lambrate.
1. Who are you?
I work as a textile designer and have my own studio in Amsterdam for 3 years already now. I studied fashion design, afterwards I worked for a fashion label and I completed a Master of Applied Arts, always with a specialization in textile design.
2. Why are you in Milan?
This is the third time I presented my designs in Milan, but it’s the first time I’m doing this on my own. Previous years my designs were part of a group exhibition. This year however – with tea towels, blankets, carpets and ceramics – I had enough products to fill an entire room.
3.What is the most important thing you learned so far in your career?
I’ve noticed that it’s very important to work according to your own intuition. Your gut feeling is often decisive, so I try to stay very close to that.
And don’t be afraid to actually start an do stuff. If something doesn’t work out, you can always try something else.
Being flexible can also help you trough less productive periods. An idea can have multiple outcomes, all of which can lead to something great. A plan B often turns out to be better than the original idea.
4. Why do you do what you do?
During my stduies at the fashion academy, I noticed that the fabrics were most important to me. Once I designed and developed the fabric, I still had to figure out a form, but that actually felt unnatural. I felt relieved when I was able to let go of that aspect and focus completely on textile.
Gradually, I grew back into product design, not only fabric prints or patterns. But the structure and composition of the material remains the most important to me.
5. What is the one thing you don’t want to miss this year?
I always pass by Rossana Orlandi, but I also like to pay the fellow Dutch designers a visit here in Ventura. A couple of friends of mine also have a booth here, like rENs. It is very interesting to see how they grow and develop as a studio.
