As the final days of 2025 approach and preparations begin for the year ahead, Netherlands based Studio Eva de Laat has taken time to reflect on a period defined by growth, transition and renewed purpose. Inspired by Søren Kierkegaard’s belief that life is understood backwards but lived forwards, the studio views the past year as a foundation for a more intentional and connected textile future.

The year marked several important milestones. A new Design Studio and Knitting Lab opened in South China, creating space for both exploration and focused development. Alongside this, Materialliance officially spun off into an independent entity with its new base in the Netherlands, while new talent joined both the innovation and material development teams.

Technical exploration remained central to the studio’s work. Throughout the year, Studio Eva de Laat expanded its research into circular and seamless knitting, developing applications ranging from sportswear and second-skin concepts to interior textiles.

Experiments included varied gauges, terry structures and new machine types, supported by software testing with Lonati spa and continued structural development in collaboration with Santoni. These projects reinforced a system-thinking approach, examining not only what is made, but how production methods shape future textile ecosystems.

Creative collaboration also played a defining role. A project with SPINEXPO, Helga Matos and Rory Longdon reimagined seamless knit outerwear, combining structure, aesthetics and unconventional materials such as TPU. The studio views this as a clear example of how innovation often begins through shared experimentation.

Natural fibres remained another focus, particularly through work with Xinao on soft, body-conscious Merino blends. This formed part of a broader exploration into the performance, comfort and emotional resonance of wool, supported by ongoing dialogue with partners including The Woolmark Company.

Human-centred design extended beyond apparel. Strong engagement around body-conscious materials encouraged the studio to further develop sensory-led approaches, now expanding into interior textiles, with new concepts scheduled to be presented at Maison&Objet.

Digital tools also featured prominently. Studio Eva de Laat continued to integrate AI into research, prototyping and storytelling, including the development of its own GPTs. While embracing efficiency and new creative possibilities, the studio remains mindful of maintaining emotional connection and ensuring technology supports, rather than replaces, human intuition.

Reflecting personally, Eva de Laat describes 2025 as a year of balancing hands-on material practice with strategic, system-level thinking. Despite ongoing industry pressures, from pricing challenges to supply chain strain, the studio finds optimism in partners and brands choosing more thoughtful paths forward.

Looking to 2026, Studio Eva de Laat enters the new year committed to questioning, making and designing human-centric systems built on softness, strength and storytelling, while recognising the people behind every textile journey.

https://evadelaat.nl

www.materialliance.com