FIVE MINUTES WITH A FRIEND: MADE BY AFOUS
Made by Afous is home to beautiful, authentic textiles and artisan-made wares and accessories, including vintage Berber rugs. All the objects and vintage textiles have a story to tell of crafts, cultures and textile histories.
Sourcing rugs and textiles is a slow process, taking the time to mindfully select each of the pieces for their distinctiveness, quality and design. Buying Vintage pieces is a way to be sustainable - something beautiful that already exists in this world - rather than producing more. Authenticity and timeless style are values that are essential for Made by Afous. By crossing borders and collaborating creatively with exceptional individuals, an unexpected alchemy occurs. From these experiences and exchanges, a modern mindset emerges from traditions.
Why “Afous”? It is a Berber word which means “Hand”. Hands, for Made by Afous, symbolise humanity, cooperation and handicraft. Their collaborations in Morocco started mostly with the Berber community. They are the ones who came up with the name.
The name “Berbers” was coined by the Romans. They are an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa, primarily inhabiting Algeria, northern Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, northern Niger, Tunisia, Libya, and a part of western Egypt. Their name for themselves is Mazigh-en meaning ‘Free People – Noble Men’.
We talk to Made by Afous founder, Daniela Gallenti, about their textile stories and inspiration.
What is your first memory of a textile? I have had opinions about textiles since I can remember. My mother was always wearing beautiful clothes. She had a passion for beautifully crafted garments and had a vast array of silk scarves. I now have a collection of 50/60 silk scarves as a heritage of my past. My relationship with textiles, shades and hues began in early childhood. My mother told me a story about my “chromatic hypersensitivity” and my reluctance to wear certain garments. If I perceived them as the wrong shade or the wrong style or fabric, I would not wear them! In my adulthood, old textiles resonate with me much more than new ones. No prejudice towards the “New”, they are just more silent to me, whereas the old and vintage tell a story that is more unique, more special to my soul.
Can you put into words what you love about textiles?
I love to feel the textile with my senses - touch it, smell it, look at it and hear the yarn’s sound.
What has inspired you recently? This could be a book, film or an exhibition you have seen or an artist/designer you admire.
I highly admire an artist and designer called Hassan Hajjaj. I have worked for him in the past, taking care of the merchandise production and dealing with clients in his shop/studio in Shoreditch. His creativity, his humility humbleneand the fact that he is a self-taught artist with no formal artistic education, makes him an inspiring example to me of how a passion and inner drive can be a great resource for success.
What is your most cherished textile, and why? A much-loved Chanel Silk Scarf that belonged to my mother and which she loved and used to wear often. It reminds me of her and carries stories of so many significant occasions in her life and now mine.
Where did you learn your craft? My passion for everything to do with textiles has taken me on travels around the world and ye, it is Morocco that has drawn me back again and again. Somehow the wonderful weaving culture of Morocco caught my attention: the imagery of the rugs always spoke to me and, along the way, as my interest and local connections grew, it has given me the opportunity to turn this personal passion into a professional endeavour.
When and why did you open your store? I started dealing with old Moroccan Häik and carpets in 2016.
Apart from Selvedge, what else do you sell? I produce a small collection of waistcoats made with the traditional hand-sewn technique used to make djellabas, the long traditional Moroccan garments with sleeves and a hood that comes in different styles.
Can you tell us a bit about your neighbourhood/community? Why is it so special? I live in South East London, in West Norwood. I feel privileged to be part of a creative thriving community. In West Norwood we have an ex Victorian Public Hall, Portico Studios, owned by the kindest, community-oriented person I know, John Price. Portico provides a space and support for community and creative projects. It is a space I use often for photoshoots or just to experience, learn and grow among like-minded people.
Can you tell us something about one of your loyal customers? One of my loyal customers is a well-established dealer called Joss Graham. I am grateful to have entered his world of traditional and vintage textiles from around the world and I am learning more about Indian and oriental textiles, as well as meeting other interesting collectors, academics and interior designers who are much in tune with what I do.
Images courtesy of Made by Afous
Find out more and follow Made by Afous:
www.madebyafous.com
Don't miss out on this year's Selvedge Christmas Fair on Saturday 2 December 2023, 12:00 - 18:00 GMT at St Mary's Church, Wyndham Place, York St, London, W1H 1PQ.
Find out more and book your tickets:
www.selvedge.org/products/selvedge-christmas-fair-2023
Sourcing rugs and textiles is a slow process, taking the time to mindfully select each of the pieces for their distinctiveness, quality and design. Buying Vintage pieces is a way to be sustainable - something beautiful that already exists in this world - rather than producing more. Authenticity and timeless style are values that are essential for Made by Afous. By crossing borders and collaborating creatively with exceptional individuals, an unexpected alchemy occurs. From these experiences and exchanges, a modern mindset emerges from traditions.
Why “Afous”? It is a Berber word which means “Hand”. Hands, for Made by Afous, symbolise humanity, cooperation and handicraft. Their collaborations in Morocco started mostly with the Berber community. They are the ones who came up with the name.
The name “Berbers” was coined by the Romans. They are an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa, primarily inhabiting Algeria, northern Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, northern Niger, Tunisia, Libya, and a part of western Egypt. Their name for themselves is Mazigh-en meaning ‘Free People – Noble Men’.
We talk to Made by Afous founder, Daniela Gallenti, about their textile stories and inspiration.
What is your first memory of a textile? I have had opinions about textiles since I can remember. My mother was always wearing beautiful clothes. She had a passion for beautifully crafted garments and had a vast array of silk scarves. I now have a collection of 50/60 silk scarves as a heritage of my past. My relationship with textiles, shades and hues began in early childhood. My mother told me a story about my “chromatic hypersensitivity” and my reluctance to wear certain garments. If I perceived them as the wrong shade or the wrong style or fabric, I would not wear them! In my adulthood, old textiles resonate with me much more than new ones. No prejudice towards the “New”, they are just more silent to me, whereas the old and vintage tell a story that is more unique, more special to my soul.
Can you put into words what you love about textiles?
I love to feel the textile with my senses - touch it, smell it, look at it and hear the yarn’s sound.
What has inspired you recently? This could be a book, film or an exhibition you have seen or an artist/designer you admire.
I highly admire an artist and designer called Hassan Hajjaj. I have worked for him in the past, taking care of the merchandise production and dealing with clients in his shop/studio in Shoreditch. His creativity, his humility humbleneand the fact that he is a self-taught artist with no formal artistic education, makes him an inspiring example to me of how a passion and inner drive can be a great resource for success.
What is your most cherished textile, and why? A much-loved Chanel Silk Scarf that belonged to my mother and which she loved and used to wear often. It reminds me of her and carries stories of so many significant occasions in her life and now mine.
Where did you learn your craft? My passion for everything to do with textiles has taken me on travels around the world and ye, it is Morocco that has drawn me back again and again. Somehow the wonderful weaving culture of Morocco caught my attention: the imagery of the rugs always spoke to me and, along the way, as my interest and local connections grew, it has given me the opportunity to turn this personal passion into a professional endeavour.
When and why did you open your store? I started dealing with old Moroccan Häik and carpets in 2016.
Apart from Selvedge, what else do you sell? I produce a small collection of waistcoats made with the traditional hand-sewn technique used to make djellabas, the long traditional Moroccan garments with sleeves and a hood that comes in different styles.
Can you tell us a bit about your neighbourhood/community? Why is it so special? I live in South East London, in West Norwood. I feel privileged to be part of a creative thriving community. In West Norwood we have an ex Victorian Public Hall, Portico Studios, owned by the kindest, community-oriented person I know, John Price. Portico provides a space and support for community and creative projects. It is a space I use often for photoshoots or just to experience, learn and grow among like-minded people.
Can you tell us something about one of your loyal customers? One of my loyal customers is a well-established dealer called Joss Graham. I am grateful to have entered his world of traditional and vintage textiles from around the world and I am learning more about Indian and oriental textiles, as well as meeting other interesting collectors, academics and interior designers who are much in tune with what I do.
Images courtesy of Made by Afous
Find out more and follow Made by Afous:
www.madebyafous.com
Don't miss out on this year's Selvedge Christmas Fair on Saturday 2 December 2023, 12:00 - 18:00 GMT at St Mary's Church, Wyndham Place, York St, London, W1H 1PQ.
Find out more and book your tickets:
www.selvedge.org/products/selvedge-christmas-fair-2023