Vera Roggli

Sapin-Sapin is a Filipino sweet rice cake made of colorful layers, each with a different flavour. In Tagalog, sapin is a general term that is used to refer to things that can be layered — a mat, a cover, or a material placed between surfaces for protection or to add a layer of softness. During our research, we found parallels with early Swiss mattresses, sometimes called “Strohmatrazen”, which were historically filled with natural materials such as straw or wool. Similar to the banig, it was made using materials locally available and connected to place. We introduced a layer of Swiss wool into the mat, to add comfort and volume, inspired by this shared approach to materiality.

𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 at Milano Design Week 6/6 Presenting Vera Roggli + Julia Villamonte Project: Sapin-Sapin Handwoven from karagumoy leaves, the project takes form through a process that follows material cycles and local knowledge. The leaves can only be harvested at specific moments in the year; production moves accordingly, not by external timelines. Developed with weaving communities in Labo, in the province of Camarines Norte, the work is grounded in shared practice. Techniques are learned in person, through repetition and presence, and decisions emerge through continuous exchange. The resulting object is a multifunctional mat, folding into a low seating element, unfolding for rest, or acting as a spatial divider. Flexible in use, it reflects the conditions of its making. Designed collaboratively by @ve_ro_studio and @fili__fili__ With weaving communities of Labo, province of Camarines Norte (PH) On view Monday, 20 April 2026 – Friday, 24 April 2026, 10am – 7pm @spaziovento , Via Pinamonte da Vimercate, 4, Milan Organized by @prohelvetia_design in partnership with Presence Switzerland Official Partner @karimokunewstandard Official Suppliers @bleocollective @charbon_cafe Network Partner: @swissdesignassociation_sda , Federal Office of Culture, @istitutosvizzero PR: @mayconcepts , @gc_agency #SharedMatter #MilanoDesignWeek #ProHelvetia #SwissDesign

Sapin-Sapin began two years ago with a shared interest into plant fibres and traditional weaving techniques. From this starting point, we began exploring how this research could be translated into an object for everyday use. The project has been developed together with weaving workshops in Labo, Camarines Norte, Philippines— Julia’s hometown. It draws inspiration from the banig, a traditional sleeping mat in the Philippines, which is usually handwoven with karagumoy leaves (pandanus simplex). Developed collaboratively by Julia Villamonte and Vera Roggli, Sapin-Sapin will be presented from 20–24 April as part of the group exhibition “Shared Matter” in Milano, organized by Pro Helvetia @prohelvetia_design . 📍 @spaziovento - Via Pinamonte da Vimercate, 4, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

The Tea Towel. Perspectives on an Everyday Item The dishwasher has robbed the good old kitchen towel of some of its practical significance. Nevertheless, it remains present in many households, hand-woven or industrially produced, lint-free or absorbent, dirty or clean, inherited or replaceable. In some kitchens, special attention is also required, as there is one for the hands and one for the dishes. For a long time, specially made kitchen towels were a luxury and reserved for the upper classes. Industrial mass production has changed this, and today two developments can be observed: while kitchen towels are displayed as design objects in museum stores and craft stores, they are also standardized cheap goods. In The Tea Towel: Perspectives on an Everyday Item, 13 authors, artists, and designers enter into a dialogue with the object and examine it from a literary, journalistic, artistic, technical, and sociopolitical perspective. The contributions of very different tones complement each other and create new references. In text and images, the book encourages a rediscovery of the everyday kitchen towel as a sensual object with which many socially relevant topics are associated. *** Edited by Basil Linder, Vera Roggli and Eva Wolf @evabasil.studio @ve_ro_studio With contributions by @masentov Tabea Andres @estellebourdet @re_domig @annadreussi Hans F?ssler @tamarajanes Kim Lang @francescalucchitta @ivieadaonaiwu @ve_ro_studio @_lavender__june @samirav0gl Book design by Studio Eva Basil Image processing by Marjeta Morinc @marjetamorinc Printed by TBS la Buona Stampa, Pregassona #teatowel #kitchentowel #everydayitems #textileart #culturalhistory

It’s been a while since we’ve shared anything here, but a lot has been happening behind the scenes. With the invaluable support of Katrijn @isupportcreatives , we’ve been restructuring our studio, refining our direction and rethinking where we want to go. Slowely slowely we will be sharing more on that. Our website is in progress (launch planned for May 2025 fingers crossed with the dear help of @evabasil.studio ), but in the meantime, we’re returning to this space (and at the same time thinking of moving to other world wide web spaces..)—sharing insights into the projects we’ve been working on and weaving over the past year. With our work we are deeply committed to creating awareness around textiles and their versatility—showing that they are so much more than just the clothes we wear or bedsheets we sleep in. Each woven or knitted piece we develop carries layers of complexity, craftsmanship, and beauty. We truly believe that sharing this process helps foster more conscious behavior in how we use and consume (everyday) textile objects. As some of you may know, we have a deep fascination (some might call it an obsession) with kitchen towels. The image here is part of our weaving process—a technical file where different weaving structures are assigned to the design. Even at this stage, the file holds an aesthetic value of its own. Swipe left to see how this work-in-progress transforms step by step: from the initial file to the final woven piece.

PILLARS is a collaborative project by Laure van Brempt and Vera Roggli—modular sitting blocks that can be stacked, rearranged, or used on their own. The project started as a commissioned piece for Omar City @omarcity.world , tailored to fit the bay window in the home of its founders. For the first edition, we decided to make a small batch ourselves, in Vera`s studio in Genova. As the delivery date approached, her mum came down to help finish the prototypes <3 We’re now working on a limited series in collaboration with Omar City, which will be produced in Belgium. The finished PILLARS will soon be on view at the Omar City showroom. All photos by Luca Cipollina @lu_____ci 🤍📷 → For more info reach out to [email protected] and keep an eye on @pillars_pillars_pillars #PILLARSproject #modularfurniture #behindthescenes #workinprogress #madeinGenova #textiledesign #omarcity

For English see below DE: Unser Buch “Das Küchentuch. Ansichten zu einem Alltagsgegestand” ist offiziell publiziert @scheidegger_und_spiess – und wir freuen uns, ein paar Eindrücke von unserer Buchvernissage vom Freitag, 21. November, im @progr_bern Bern mit euch zu teilen. Ein herzliches Dankeschön an alle, die vorbei gekommen sind! Ein spezieller Dank geht an @re_domig fürs Moderieren der Gespräche mit einem Teil der Beitragenden: @samirav0gl , @masentov , @_lavender__june und Hans Fässler. Danke auch ans Erlesen für den wunderbaren Raum, an @marliesfrints fürs Apéro und an @fraen_c für die Fotos. Und nicht zu letzt ein grosses Merci an @muleschoice für das Gebrauchen deiner Stickmachine 🙏🏽 Der Buchverkauf ist offiziell gestartet – wenn du noch kein Exemplar hast, findest du den Link in unserer Bio. Auch die Küchenhandtücher sind jetzt exklusiv über uns und in ein paar ausgewählten Läden erhältlich. — ENG: Our book “The Tea Towel. Perspectives on an Everyday Item” is officially published with @scheidegger_und_spiess – and we’re excited to share a few impressions from our book launch last Friday, November 21st @progr_bern in Bern. A big thank you to everyone who joined us! A special thanks to @re_domig for moderating the conversations with some of the contributors: @samirav0gl , @masentov , @_lavender__june , and Hans Fässler. Thanks as well to Erlesen for the wonderful space, @marliesfrints for the apéro, and @fraen_c for the photos. And last but not least merci @muleschoice for letting us use your embroidery machine!🙏🏽 The book is now officially in stores – if you don’t have your copy yet, you’ll find the link in our bio. The tea towels are also available exclusively through us and in some selected shops.

A limited edition of our book and tea towel is now available directly from us - you’ll find the link in our bio or write your order directly to: shop@k üchentuch-buch.ch together with your adress to which we should ship! Book: 25€ Tea towel: 35€ Shipping costs excluded. “The Tea Towel - Perspectives on an Everyday Item” is a collective exploration of the many stories woven into this everyday textile. Bringing together 13 different perspectives, the book reveals how an everyday item can carry histories, gestures, memories of sociopolitical relevance and cultural meaning far beyond its surface. You can order the book in English or German, and the tea towel is available in red, blue or green. Contributions by: Masen Al-Saghir @masentov Tabea Andres Estelle Bourdet @estellebourdet Rebecka Domig @re_domig Anna Dreussi @annadreussi Hans Fässler Tamara Janes @tamarajanes Kim Lang Francesca Lucchitta @francescalucchitta Ivie Ada Onaiwu @ivieadaododo Vera Roggli @ve_ro_studio Alizée Rose-May @_lavender__june Samira Vogel @samirav0gl Concept: Studio Eva Basil & Vera Roggli Book Design: Studio Eva Basil @evabasil.studio Publisher: Scheidegger & Spiess Follow link in bio or write a PM. Photos: @lu_____ci ✨

Last November, our book ‘The Tea Towel. Perspectives on an Everyday Item’ was published by @scheidegger_und_spiess . Well-attended events took place at @progr_bern , @dote_textiles in Milan, @neverstopreading_zh and @alpenhof.ai , where we met interesting people and learned new things. We would like to thank everyone who was involved and supported the project <3 Photo Slide 1: @francescalucchitta Contributors: @masentov Tabea Andres @estellebourdet @re_domig @annadreussi Hans Fässler @tamarajanes Kim Lang @francescalucchitta @ivieadaonaiwu @ve_ro_studio @_lavender__june @samirav0gl Special thanks: Anthonie de Groot @marliesfrints @re_domig Printing: @tbs_labuonastampa Fonts: EXT Torchon (asap available via @express.type ) / @grillitype Support: @bernerdesignstiftung

Examining the hidden complexity of everyday textile objects. This series documents the process behind our research on kitchen towels, with a focus on the frotté towel. From unraveling the fabric to scanning its structure, and finally converting it into a digital weaving file—each step uncovers the intricate interweavings of hundreds of threads, working together to create a surface that absorbs both water and the traces of daily life.. Understanding the construction of these textiles is a core part of our studio's work, it helps us revealing the deeper stories and functional design behind everyday items. #TextileResearch #Weaving #KitchenTowelTalks #FunctionalDesign"

BUCHVERNISSAGE / BOOK LAUNCH «Das Küchentuch. Ansichten zu einem Alltagsgegenstand» / ‘The Tea Towel. Perspectives on an Everyday Item’ Basil Linder, Eva Wolf, Vera Roggli (eds.) Erscheint bei / Published by Scheidegger & Spiess @scheidegger_und_spiess @basil.linder @ve_ro_studio 21.11.2025, 18h PROGR Bern, Raum erlesen @progr_bern Lange Zeit war das Küchentuch ein Luxus und den oberen Klassen vorbehalten, bis es zum Sinnbild des Haushalts wurde und heute ein Alltagsgegenstand ist. Gerade als solcher ermöglicht es einen Zugang zur Textilgeschichte, ist Symbol politischer Bewegungen sowie Träger von Erinnerungen und Erlebnissen. Vor diesem Hintergrund treten dreizehn Autor:innen in Dialog mit dem Objekt und untersuchen es journalistisch, künstlerisch, wissenschaftlich und technisch. Das Buch regt dazu an, das Küchentuch im gesellschaftspolitischen Kontext neu zu entdecken. For a long time, the kitchen tea towel was a luxury product reserved for the upper classes, until it became a symbol of the domestic household and everyday object today. And it is this role in particular that allows us to access textile history and explore the tea towel’s relevance as symbol of political movements as well as a bearer of memories and experiences. Against this background, the thirteen contributors enter into a dialogue with the object itself and take a closer look at it from a journalistic, artistic, academic and technical perspective. The book encourages readers to rediscover the kitchen towel in a socio-political context. Autor:innen / Contributors: Masen Al-Saghir (@masentov ), Tabea Andres, Estelle Bourdet (@estellebourdet ), Rebecka Domig (@re_domig ), Anna Dreussi (@annadreussi ), Hans Fässler, Tamara Janes (@tamarajanes ), Kim Lang, Francesca Lucchitta (@francescalucchitta ), Ivie Ada Onaiwu (@ivieadaonaiwu ), Vera Roggli, Alizé Rose-May (@_lavender__june ), Samira Vogel (@samirav0gl ) Spezieller Dank / Special thanks: Anthonie de Groot Schriften / Fonts: Torchon WIP, Basil Linder / Grilli Type (@grillitype ) Druck / Print: TBS, la Buona Stampa (@tbs_labuonastampa ) Unterstützt durch / Supported by: Berner Design Stiftung (@bernerdesignstiftung )

3 days ago marked the end of Designed to Dry at the Textiel Museum @textielmuseum in Tilburg — an exhibition that explored the kitchen towel as a design object, a work tool, and a carrier of stories. It was on view for over a year, and I’m really grateful to have been part of this beautiful exploration of everyday textiles. Showing my work alongside Kitty van der Mijll Dekker — whose designs have shaped the history of Dutch weaving — was a true honour. A special thank you to @danique_klijs Danique Klijs and @adelheid_smit Adelheid Smit for coming up with the idea for the exhibition and giving me the opportunity to be part of it. 📍TextielMuseum Tilburg 📆 27 January 2024 T/M 11 May 2025 📸 Image credits below Image List: 1) Drying cloth design 14 A (new No 1409) by Kitty van der Mijll Dekker (design 1945) 📸 Photo: Joep Vogels / TextielMuseum Tilburg 2) Tea Towel Portrait - Jacquard Towel by Vera Roggli 📸 Photo: Finn Curry 3) Exhibition view of Designed to Dry 📸 Photo: Josefina Eikenaar / TextielMuseum Tilburg 4) Tea towels original design by Kitty van der Mijll Dekker (design 1939) 📸 Photo: Josefina Eikenaar / TextielMuseum Tilburg 5) Unravelled glass cloth for "Tea Towel Portrait", Risoprint 📸 Photo: Miles Fischler 6) "Pannendoek" in two colors by Kitty van der Mijll Dekker (design 1935) 📸 Photo: Frans van Ameijde / Joep Vogels / TextielMuseum Tilburg 7) Exhibition view of Designed to Dry 📸 Photo: Josefina Eikenaar / TextielMuseum Tilburg