Borre Akkersdijk, founder of BYBORRE, is revolutionizing fabric creation with a focus on sustainability and empowering designers through an intuitive platform.
Borre Akkersdijk, a designer and textile specialist, has pioneered a transformative approach to fabric creation through his company BYBORRE, which he founded in 2015 in Amsterdam. Over the last eight years, BYBORRE has evolved from a creative textile studio into an influential entity in the fashion industry, focusing on sustainable innovation and responsible textile production. Akkersdijk’s fascination lies not in the end product but in the collaborative process of garment making, emphasizing the importance of the journey in textile design.
Akkersdijk, who studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands, began his career in the Paris studio of trend forecaster Li Edelkoort. His growing curiosity about textile creation and the supply chain led him to establish BYBORRE. According to Akkersdijk, “I was fascinated by how textiles were created and how the supply chain worked. We saw an opportunity to build a new way of creating knits—both in process and aesthetics.”
BYBORRE distinguishes itself in the textile industry by offering custom knitted textiles and ready-to-order textile collections that prioritize sustainability and waste reduction. Their approach involves producing textiles solely on demand, allowing designers to engage with materials in a way that minimizes overproduction—a significant concern in an industry that generates approximately 92 million tonnes of waste every year.
In a bid to democratize textile creation, the company has launched Byborre Create, an online platform that enables fashion and furniture manufacturers to source their materials responsibly. This initiative encourages a shift towards sustainable practices by guiding designers through an intuitive workflow that breaks down the supply chain into four simple steps: determining fabric function, selecting knit types, composing colors, and adding aesthetic elements. Akkersdijk highlights the importance of creative freedom in this process, stating, “Everything we build is about giving creative freedom. We provide the tools, platform, and textile medium so that anyone using textiles can bring their own creative vision to life and tell their own story.”
BYBORRE’s textiles are designed to meet high performance standards, featuring looped constructions that lend them inherent stretchability, making them adaptable to various designs. To ensure responsible sourcing, the company emphasizes transparency through initiatives like the Textile Passport, which provides detailed insights into material origins and recyclability. As Mijke van Ballegooijen, CEO of BYBORRE, noted, “Custom textiles shouldn’t be a luxury. We make it possible for every designer to control materials, colors, and textures without compromising on sustainability.”
In 2022, BYBORRE expanded its offerings by introducing a ready-to-order textile collection, including three customizable structures designed for versatility and tactile experience. The collection includes AO2, a two-layer textile; AO3, a durable three-layer option; and 3D, a high-relief knit that enhances texture and dimension. Akkersdijk attributes the brand’s unique approach to color as a key differentiator, stating, “What makes us stand out is our approach to color—we create color by optically mixing yarns rather than dyeing.”
The company collaborates with a range of high-profile brands, including Nike, Louis Vuitton, and BMW, leveraging its innovative textile solutions in various applications from apparel to upholstery. Akkersdijk expresses a vision of a future where the BYBORRE brand may not need to exist as designers become capable of utilizing the platform’s resources to create independently. He articulated this aspiration, saying, “The ultimate collaboration would be the one where the brand BYBORRE is no longer needed…where everyone cares exactly what they use, wear and touch.”
Anticipating further advancements, BYBORRE is set to launch a new configurator designed to simplify the design process for users. The company also aims to establish hubs in Asia and the US to enhance market accessibility while maintaining its commitment to sustainable practices. With a focus on eliminating overproduction and fostering a responsible textile creation landscape, BYBORRE stands at the forefront of an evolving fashion industry, driven by innovation and a commitment to empowering designers.
Source: Noah Wire Services
