During an intimate dinner with the newly assembled BYBORRE team—including founder Borre Akkersdijk, new CEO Mijke van Ballegooij, the sales crew, artists, creatives, and architects—Borre shares a rare behind-the-scenes look at the BYBORRE Lab. The table was set with a beautifully textured cloth, made by their own machines, a quiet yet powerful symbol of the brand’s innovation. Over incredible Surinamese food, the conversation flowed effortlessly—ideas, ambitions, and creative visions weaving together just like the fabrics BYBORRE is known for. Instead of keeping his cutting-edge machinery under wraps, Borre opens the doors to his process, offering a glimpse into a bold new future for textiles.
Reinventing Textiles with AI
Borre’s passion for knitwear puts him at the forefront of textile innovation. From working with luxury fashion houses to high-end interior brands, his journey began with Santoni Knitting Machinery in Shanghai. This collaboration paved the way for his pioneering work with advanced knitting technology. “We need to do things people understand,” he says, reflecting on the shifting landscape of textiles. “After working with brands like Nike and Louis Vuitton, everything gains momentum.”
BYBORRE’s approach centres on precision. “We create samples and share them online so everyone sees what’s possible,” Borre explains. “It feels like a laboratory—constantly experimenting and testing the limits of our machines.” By moving beyond conventional weaving, the team unlocks new advantages, from enhanced stretch to unlimited design potential.
BYBORRE merges craftsmanship with technology. Their AI-driven knitting machines work on a binary system, pushing textile design into new territory. Leftover yarn is repurposed into fresh creations, such as refined table linens, giving waste a second life. “We bring everything together with self-learning systems and AI,” Borre notes. “Our robotic knitting platform runs on a completely new operating system, revealing possibilities we’ve never seen before.”
Despite these leaps forward, the textile world remains fragmented. Many manufacturers still operate without digital tools. BYBORRE is changing that, introducing open-ended software that allows designers to customise and produce on demand.
The Dawn of Digital Textiles
Borre envisions a decade of radical change. He sees a future where designers—whether in fashion, interiors, or product design—can access a digital textile library, adjusting patterns and processes instantly. “Right now, we’re using only five per cent of what our machines can do,” he observes. “With next-generation software, the possibilities are virtually endless.”
From thick jacquards to seamless tubes for leggings and socks, knitting machines are evolving fast. “It’s still fabric at its core, but we can now shape it or even turn it into a medium for artistic expression,” Borre explains. Innovations like Nike’s Flyknit, which reduces production times from hours to minutes, offer a glimpse of what’s ahead.
BYBORRE: A Movement for Sustainable Innovation
Founded in 2015, BYBORRE® is more than a textile company. It challenges the industry to rethink materials, production, and sustainability. By blending digital tools with tactile craftsmanship, it empowers creators to take full control of their work without compromising ethics.
Certified suppliers, digital production, and a commitment to minimal waste set BYBORRE apart. The future of textiles is unfolding, and BYBORRE is leading the way.
More at byborre.com
