Fleeing Iraq during the Gulf War, she sought refuge in Jordan before making her way to Stockholm and ultimately building a new life in the Netherlands. For Hala Yousif of Halle Design, textiles have always been her life and passion. "From my earliest memories, I've wanted to make the world more beautiful. My motto, 'Connecting worlds with textiles', is based on my life story." Hala continues to travel the globe, participating in leading fairs and shows in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Paris, Milan, and Dubai. An inspiring interview with textile designer Hala Yousif; on how she uses the lessons and experiences from her life journey as inspiration for her enchantingly beautiful textile designs.
Hala Yousif at Masterly the Dutch in Milan.
Success in Paris
In 2003, as a Swedish student, Hala enrolled in a bachelor's program at the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design, renowned for its textile design program. Here, Hala mastered the latest textile design techniques. It was also during this time that she learned Dutch, "which is indeed much harder than Swedish."
Her internship at the high-end fabrics atelier Malhia Kent in Paris significantly influenced her colour and material development. She revelled in the style and couture of Paris and the immense freedom she was afforded. She experimented - almost literally day and night - in the weaving studio with materials and colours. Thanks to her creative talent, some of her designs were selected as weave couture for the textile trade fair Première Vision in Paris.
East meets West
During her studies, the idea to use the diverse, often contrasting influences from her life across different worlds as inspiration for her textile interior designs was born. Her graduation project in 2008 was titled 'My Scandinavian Dreamhouse - East meets West'. At the Textile Museum in Tilburg, she experimented extensively with almost all available techniques, such as knitting, weaving, and lasering. This period marked the beginning of her unique design style, which would become characteristic of her signature.
In 2012, Hala founded her own company, Halle Design, with the aim of creating exclusive textile designs for fashion and interiors. She wanted to realise and market the concept she developed during her graduation. Her unique and handmade products, which are not reproduced, such as pillows, scarves, and capes, are sold via Etsy.
3D Woven Interior Textiles
In recent years, Hala has shifted her focus to textile designs for interiors, and with great success. In collaboration with the Textile Museum in Tilburg, she designs double-sided 3D woven room dividers and wall hangings. The collection 'A Scandinavian Tale of 1001 Nights' has been showcased during Glue and Meesterlijk in Amsterdam, Masterly in Milan and The Hague, and during the Index in Dubai and Qatar. She has also exhibited for several years during Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven and Dubai Downtown Design. "The responses have always been overwhelmingly warm, leading to beautiful international publications. Additionally, trend watchers have picked up on my designs, seeing a future for them, especially since they also have sound-absorbing properties. This contributes to the acoustics and well-being of people in busy spaces; at home and in the office."
In collaboration with Mondilab, a collection of acoustic wall panels and a carpet has recently been realised. Hala also collaborates with EE-Exclusive. "This once again opens up opportunities to create very refined textile designs, which I will present at international shows in the coming times."
After an intensive and very valuable Masterly - the Dutch in Milan, Hala is now showcasing her latest textile designs, which have also caught the attention of the Dior architecture department, at Design District. She is delighted to present her new textile wall decorations and new three-dimensional and semi-transparent textile samples for interior and textile art. Stand D17.
More information:
Halle Design - Hala Yousif
[email protected]
www.halle-design.com