In recent years, fabric seems to have become the new design frontier with several designers working on weaves, from the Talking Textiles exhibition by trendsetter Ledewijj Edelkoort – which is touring the world – to all the Scandinavian graphic design collections. Now, through 31 March, the PlusDesign gallery in Milan is holding Weaving Traditions, organised in collaboration with Rome's Secondome and the participation of Nodus and Bernhardt Design. It showcases the young Dutch designer Kiki van Eijk, a former student at the distinguished academy in Eindhoven and who also lives in the city. Long appreciated on the international scene for her romantic limited editions, she describes herself as young, a dreamer and pragmatic.

"I have always tried to create my own way of experiencing design; it is essential to have a clear vision and your own personality and to pay careful attention to detail. When working for a client, I try most of all to understand and acquire the brief; then I start thinking, source materials and draw by hand first (ed. note – always with a black pen) and then on the computer, which I see as a work tool just like an electric saw or a sewing machine. I follow my instinct and my imagination and I always pursue my way of designing. The pieces I produce must represent the best of me; they must be totally Kiki van Eijk. A new design is always a long and tiring process because I am a perfectionist. I tend to analyse all the shortcomings in time, before I make the model because I have to be sure before I move on and not have any doubts. My rule is to always respect yourself and never betray yourself but, at the same time, not be afraid to take risks", says van Eijk.