COLOMBO, Sept 18, 2025 (AFP) – Two design powerhouses – Sri Lanka’s celebrated handloom brand Barefoot and Dutch luxury interiors brand POLSPOTTEN – are teaming up for the first time in a landmark collaboration set to debut in 2025/2026.
The upcoming collection will blend Barefoot’s mastery of handloom craft and colour with POLSPOTTEN’s bold, contemporary design style. It marks POLSPOTTEN’s first-ever partnership with Sri Lanka and continues Barefoot’s long tradition of working with leading international names.
The tie-up comes under the EU–Sri Lanka Matchmaking Programme, delivered with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), and supported by the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the Cultural Relations Platform (CRP). Knowledge partners include the University of the Arts London (UAL) and the British Council, while The Institute of Future Creations (TIFC) leads the programme.
Inspired by the vibrancy of Sri Lanka’s textile traditions and the playful sophistication of Dutch design, the new collection will reinterpret Barefoot’s handwoven fabrics into unique homeware and interior pieces. While final designs remain under wraps, early concepts suggest a striking fusion of texture, form and colour, aimed at global luxury audiences.
“This collaboration allows us to explore Barefoot’s exceptional weaving heritage through a fresh lens,” said Shiran Gort, Creative Director at POLSPOTTEN. “We are bringing together two strong design identities, one rooted in bold, contemporary Dutch aesthetics and the other in the deep skill and colour mastery of Sri Lankan handlooms. The potential for creative innovation is incredible.”
