About

SAGE stands for natural and refined handwoven textiles. Made from natural and the most sustainable yarns, in warm and earthy tones. The more natural our living environment, the better we feel.

The collection includes: homeware, interior & lifestyle accessories, wall art & gifts. High-quality and exclusive fabrics and products that bring beauty, vibrancy and history.

Handwoven fabrics have a beautiful texture. Almost 3D, something that cannot be matched by a machine.Each item is a one-off handwoven piece. The longer you use the product, the more beautiful it becomes. A product to treasure for years to come. 

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 represents a story of connection, just as all threads are connected.

Threads of connection between past and present. A rich craft whose knowledge and cultural traditions have been passed on to subsequent generations for centuries. But also threads of connection to each other. Connection with nature, the earth, our environment. 

I, Marieke Wilhelmina Biemans, was born into a textile family. My mother and grandparents had their own textile businesses. My grandfather was a tailor and my great-grandfather worked at Vlisco. As a result, the love for crafts and making things yourself started early on. At some point, the era of fast fashion arrived. We saw the market changing. From now on, people wanted a completely new wardrobe for every season. Made by whom, where and from where, didn't matter. Preferably as cheaply as possible, though. The realisation that a lot of time and dedication goes into making a good garment disappeared. Fortunately, there is a growing realisation that things have to be done differently.

Aan de Universiteit van Utrecht heb ik Economie gestudeerd en heb jaren als Marketing Manager gewerkt. Tien jaar geleden, tijdens mijn eerste zwangerschap, kreeg ik last van een lichamelijke beperking. Een moeilijke periode. Ik moest leren om imperfectie te omarmen. Ik vond steun en afleiding in weven. De liefde voor textiel was er altijd al. Textiel heeft herinnering, betekenis en ziel. Je eerste babydekentje, je lievelingssjaal, prachtig tafellinnen. Bovendien heb ik, net als mijn grootouders, het verlangen om mooie en kwaliteitsvolle producten te maken. 

To learn the craft of handweaving, I apprenticed with art weaver Sytze Roos in Amsterdam. In three years, I learned the various binding and weaving techniques. In the years that followed, I specialised further in the craft. The interplay of materials, colours and techniques is endless and beautiful.

I mainly weave with natural yarns. And preferably with undyed yarns. Such as undyed linen and merino wool. You feel and see nature in these yarns and the colours are marvelous. Sometimes I also experiment with materials such as grass, hemp, animal fur. But weaving with recycled yarns and garments is also interesting.

I started SAGE because I love products and things that can make you wonder or make you pause for a moment. Products that make the world a little more beautiful. And more sustainable. Because I believe that all initiatives, big and small, can contribute. A contribution to give textiles back the recognition and appreciation it deserves.

And in the process, let's keep making beautiful things with our hands because that's good for people and planet anyway.