About

Sage stands for unique handwoven textiles. Made from natural and organic materials in warm natural colours. The collection consists of: homewares, garments, art & gifts.

With natural materials you bring nature into your home. As a result, the products bring warmth, balance and beauty. Every item is an unique handwoven piece, one-of-a-kind, and is made with great love and attention to detail.

Handwoven fabrics feature a beautiful structure, that cannot be matched by a machine. Almost 3D. All products feature a high level of finishing. The longer you use the product, the more beautiful it becomes. A product to cherish. Not to be thrown away after just one season or produced by a large chain. 

In weaving, vertical threads (warp) are connected to horizontal threads (weft). Thread by thread, not only a fabric is created, but also a story.

Sage means a handed down story.A story of a craft passed down for generations. An ode to the craft. A craft whose knowledge must not be lost. 

And a story of fabrics and products made with love and attention. Because attention to each other and products has shifted further into the background in today's virtual and fast world.

I, Marieke Wilhelmina Biemans, was born into a textile family. My mother and grandparents owned textile shops. My grandfather was a tailor and my great-grandfather worked at the Vlisco, therefore the love for crafts and making things myself emerged early. I remember vividly how fabrics were cut with special fabric scissors. The sound of the clipping scissors sounded magical. Buttons came in hundreds of shapes, colours and variations. Every detail was important.

At some point, the era of fast fashion dawned. We saw the market change with our own eyes. People no longer wanted a new garment once or twice a year, but a new wardrobe for every season. And by whom, where and what material clothes were made of, made no difference. Preferably as cheaply as possible. The awareness that it takes a long time to make a garment or what a fabric is made of, disappeared.

Fortunately, now that we can no longer ignore the textile waste mountain, we realise that things have to change. We need to buy less, but also better.

To learn and see how the commercial world works, I first entered the business world. At Utrecht University, I studied Economics and worked for years as a Marketing Manager. Besides my work, I have always remained creative. Goldsmithing, painting and textile techniques held my interest.

During my first pregnancy, I gradually suffered from a muscle disease. A difficult period. I had to learn to embrace imperfection. I found support and distraction in weaving. Textiles had always held my interest. Turning a number of loose threads into fabric, I always found the process fascinating. The interaction between colour, technique and threads also fascinated me. And working with my hands, I did from an early age. 

I was apprenticed to art weaver Sytze Roos in Amsterdam and learnt various techniques. In the years that followed, I specialised further in the craft. The interplay of materials, colours and techniques is endless.

I work a lot with warm and neutral tones, preferably with undyed yarns. Such as undyed linen and merino wool. You feel and see nature in these yarns and it has a beautiful natural color. But I also like to experiment. For example with rabbit fur, bamboo or recycled yarns and clothing.

I now have my own Atelier where I weave on commission and developing the collection. 

With Sage's creations, I hope to make everyday life a little more beautiful, mindful and sustainable.