BIOGRAPHY ANNELEEN BERTELS

Anneleen Bertels is a Belgian textile designer and researcher based in Brussels.

After graduating in Fashion Design from Artez University of the Arts in 2013, Anneleen Bertels worked as a fashion designer and product developer for renowned fashion houses like Balenciaga, Maison Martin Margiela, and Ann Demeulemeester. Her collaboration with goldsmiths sparked her interest in combining fashion with jewelry and accessories to create new textile applications. In 2022, she founded her own studio, where she develops Jewellerized Textiles, embellishing fabrics with embroidery and handmade jewelry.

Her work is rooted in a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and cultural exchange, combining traditional haute couture techniques with innovative methods. Sustainability, cultural heritage and technological innovation are central to this.

Anneleen collaborated with artisans in Japan and Europe to interweave centuries-old techniques and high-quality natural materials with contemporary ideas. Based on this vision, she and her partner Waldo De Keersmaecker founded KNOTTO, an international non-profit organisation that builds creative bridges between Europe and Japan.

Anneleen’s creations have been showcased at events such as the Hyères Festival of Fashion, Schloss Hollenegg in Austria, Parcours Bijoux in Paris and MoMu in Belgium. She has also taught as a guest lecturer at prestigious institutions across Europe and aims to collaborate further with goldsmiths, architects, and engineers to expand her practice into new disciplines.

ABOUT STUDIO ANNELEEN BERTELS

Studio Anneleen Bertels provides expert consultancy in embroidery design, offering a comprehensive approach from concept development to the execution of bespoke handcrafted pieces with high precision.

With a focus on research and development, we combine high-quality natural materials with artisanal techniques sourced from Europe to Japan.

Specializing in the art of embroidery, we explore a variety of precious (and recycled) materials and research new textile techniques for embroidery applications.

Within our studio, transmission of savoir-faire of the craft of embroidery and exchanges through the medium of textile are essential.

Guided by Anneleen's contemporary view on ancestral techniques and today’s textile challenges, we aim to contribute to a more holistic industry and share our knowledge. The studio has a deep appreciation for contemporary craftsmanship and cultural exchanges.