Reinterpreting historic motifs for contemporary homes, Svetlana Willems founded the fabric and wallpaper design house Franquemont with a commitment to preserving global textile traditions. She talks to Rosalind Sack about the inspiration behind Franquemont’s beginnings and the values that continue to shape its collections
SVETLANA WILLEMS, FOUNDER OF FRANQUEMONT
Until 30th April 2026, members of The Staying In Crowd can enjoy an exclusive 15% off at Franquemont. Discover more about joining our special home-loving members’ club here.
What prompted you to make the switch from a career in the corporate world into launching a creative business?
I’ve always been drawn to fabrics and prints, from sourcing vintage textiles in France to discovering Fortuny pieces in Venice. I was captivated not only by how they would look in interiors, but also by the way how they carry history within them. It wasn’t until I found myself importing a beautiful piece of batik from a family shop in Jakarta that I realised this pull was more than appreciation, it was something I needed to pursue seriously. I began researching my first collection in Dutch museums and city archives, where I discovered how rich and internationally connected the Netherlands’ textile tradition once was. From that moment Franquemont was born, with the mission that the world’s historic textile traditions deserve to be preserved and reimagined for today’s interiors.
You founded Franquemont in 2023 – what inspired your choice of name?
While researching my first collection, I came across the remarkable story of Carolina Josephina von Franquemont, an eighteenth-century Dutch woman who established the first atelier in Java producing batik textiles for Western European women. Her legacy closely mirrored the inspiration behind my debut collection, which draws on heritage and my own Dutch and Indonesian background. Carolina von Franquemont was a true pioneer in her field, bridging different worlds through textiles. She even developed a distinctive shade of green, known as Prankemon, which became closely associated with her work. Naming the company Franquemont felt like a way of honouring a woman whose vision, curiosity and creative talent echoes everything we create at Franquemont.
(LEFT) THE BLOOMSBURY FABRIC COLLECTION; (RIGHT) FLORAL STRIPE WALLPAPER IN MIDNIGHT TRUFFLE, BOTH FRANQUEMONT
You have both Indonesian and Dutch heritage, have lived in several major European cities and held international roles prior to launching Franquemont. Has your international perspective influenced Franquemont’s inspirations and beliefs?
Living and working across different European cities taught me that design is never isolated. It is shaped by trade, cultural exchange and history. The beauty of textiles, in particular, is that they have always travelled across borders, carrying their stories across continents and time. This understanding sits at the heart of Franquemont.
My international background made me aware of the nuance and the richness of the textile traditions found in different places. Franquemont draws from this layered perspective: our collections are rooted in centuries-old craftsmanship, reinterpreted with a sense of richness for contemporary interiors. We see historic textiles and prints not as static artefacts, but as expressions of ongoing cross-cultural dialogue. By working with specialist mills and archives across countries, Franquemont embraces the idea that the most meaningful design emerges at this intersection of cultures, disciplines and histories.
Your fabrics and wallpapers are relentlessly researched before production. Tell us more about this stage in the development of your designs?
Every Franquemont collection begins with research. Before anything is drawn or designed, I spend time in museum and city archives, historic collections and occasionally private records; studying original textiles, prints and their stories. I’m not only interested in patterns, but also in how fabrics are woven, which colours have been used, their scale and the context in which they were made. This research phase is deliberate and considered, as many of the designs we work with come from fragments or forgotten sources, which require careful interpretation rather than direct reproduction.
The challenge – and the joy – lies in understanding the essence of a historic fabric or print and translating it into something that feels relevant for today’s interiors. Only once that foundation is in place do we begin the design and sampling process with our mills. Research acts as an anchor throughout development, ensuring that each design carries the depth, authenticity and intention with a sense of continuity between past and present.
Sustainability is at the heart of Franquemont. Can you tell us about some of the sustainable choices you have made which shape the business?
We design with longevity in mind, creating collections that are not trend-led but rooted in history, so they are meant to be lived with for years rather than seasons. This approach naturally encourages a slower, more considered way of producing and consuming. We work closely with mills that share our commitment to responsible production, craftsmanship and the highest standards. All of our fabrics and wallpapers are produced in England, made in small, carefully controlled batches to minimise waste. Equally important is the sustainability of knowledge and craft. By researching, preserving and reinterpreting historic textile traditions, we help ensure that skills, techniques and stories are not lost.
You developed Franquemont’s first heritage collection with your mentor Emma Mawston, former Head of Design at Liberty Fabrics. How important was this collaboration?
Emma’s mentorship played a crucial role in setting the foundations of Franquemont. Having access to her deep experience and perspective at such an early stage helped me refine my approach to archive-led design and gave me confidence in the direction I was taking. Emma encouraged me to iterate and work with discipline and to think carefully about scale, colour and how historical references are translated, and to ensure that each design was strong enough to stand on its own, as well as part of a wider collection. Emma’s mentorship helped establish the standards that continue to guide how we work with heritage, research and design today.
(LEFT) VAN HOVEN WOVEN FABRIC, PART OF THE BRABANT COLLECTION; (RIGHT) PEACOCK FABRIC IN BRIGHT COASTAL, BOTH FRANQUEMONT
You have achieved so much in just three years of the brand. What have been your most meaningful achievements to date?
The most meaningful achievement has been building Franquemont with integrity, staying true to our values while seeing the brand resonate with designers and clients internationally. Watching our collections find their way into sophisticated and elegant interiors has been incredibly rewarding. Equally important has been establishing strong relationships with our mills, archives and partners who share our respect for craftsmanship and exceptional quality. On a more personal level, having the confidence to trust an intentional and considered approach and seeing that approach gain recognition, has been deeply affirming. Franquemont is still evolving, but knowing that it is growing with clarity, purpose and care feels like a meaningful achievement in itself.
What’s next for Franquemont?
We are currently working on two new collections, each drawing from different references of Dutch cultural history, expanding our current fabric and wallcovering collections with designs that deepen and enrich the world of Franquemont. Alongside this, there will be carefully chosen collaborations with other creative talents that allow for dialogue with other disciplines and fellow makers. Looking ahead, we are building a design house that endures and is defined by depth, craftsmanship and intention.
Until 30th April 2026, members of The Staying In Crowd can enjoy an exclusive 15% off at Franquemont. Discover more about joining our special home-loving members’ club here.
(LEFT) VERSTER JACQUARD FABRIC IN OXBLOOD; (RIGHT) VINE BLOTS WALLPAPER IN FUCHSIA BLAZE, BOTH FRANQUEMONT
(LEFT) DUNCAN FABRIC IN MEADOW; (RIGHT) JAVA FABRIC IN VERDANT GREEN, BOTH FRANQUEMONT
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