March 3, 2025
The Ancient Memories Collection by Marcel Wanders
In collaboration with acclaimed Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, Fischbacher 1819 has created Ancient Memories, a capsule textile collection and an archaeology of fabrics that journey through time.
Marcel Wanders is known for his deeply reflective approach, characterised by his habit of beginning each project with questions that stimulate creativity and guide the design process. In this project, two fundamental questions guided the research: how materials can evoke a sense of vitality and history, and how to create luxurious environments that maintain an authentic connection with the past.
In his dialogue with Fischbacher 1819, Marcel Wanders reflects on how designers can transcend superficial aesthetics to reach a deeper level of emotion. Materials must become more than mere decorative elements: they need to possess a patina, a depth that narrates the passage of time, giving them an emotional dimension as well as a visual one. In this way, the fabric becomes a storyteller, speaking not only to the eyes but to the soul.
Simultaneously, Marcel Wanders, in his ongoing exploration of human values, investigates how contemporary design can reinterpret traditional craftsmanship and bring nostalgic archetypes to life.
In this pursuit, the collection “Ancient Memories” was created in close collaboration with textile artist Caterina Roppo, renowned for her ability to infuse stories and memories into the fibres she works with. Caterina Roppo, a master in the art of narrative textiles, helped shape a collection that goes beyond decoration: each weave, a vessel of memory; a thread that connects past and present, intertwining stories and cultures. Together Marcel Wanders and Caterina Roppo created the collection in close collaboration with Fischbacher 1819’s Head of Design, Claudia Kott, and Creative Director, Camilla Douraghy Fischbacher.
“The very elements of nature play a leading role in the creation of these fabrics: wind, rain, earth, and sun leave their marks on the materials, as if narrating an ancient tale. We, as humble interpreters of these signs, have committed ourselves to restoring the beauty and wisdom of the past to future generations. In this process, we have woven not only threads but identities and cultures, creating a shared language that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.”
- Marcel Wanders and Caterina Roppo
The core of the collection focuses on hemp, an ancient and noble fibre, chosen for its durability and Marcel Wanders’ and Fischbacher 1819’s shared respect for nature. Hemp not only endures the passage of time but confronts it, extending the life of the product, and when its cycle is complete, it returns to the earth without leaving a trace. Combining hemp with jute and wood-based fibres, Marcel Wanders and Fischbacher 1819 have created fabrics that not only tell the story of nature but remain intimately connected to it.
“Ancient Memories not only honours the beauty and mastery of a time past, but also envisions a future grounded in an unwavering commitment to preserving the natural world around us.”
- Camilla D. Fischbacher, Creative Director Fischbacher 1819
Each thread in this collection is woven with care and dedication and will stand the test of time. The fabrics do more than adorn spaces: they envelop the soul, and evoke an era when everything was simpler, more authentic, and slower.
“Our collective passion for the transformative and emotive power of design has led us to create a truly special collection that celebrates the finest artisanal craftsmanship with every thread in this diverse range of textiles woven with profound care and dedication.”
- Claudia Kott, Head of Design Fischbacher 1819
Marcel Wanders’ and Fischbacher 1819’s concept of luxury is about authenticity; every element has a soul and reflects the warmth of craftsmanship, of a product made with love, patience and great attention to detail.
This collection is a collaboration between the creative teams of Marcel Wanders and Fischbacher 1819, a fabric brand renowned for its ability to merge textile art with sustainability, and for creating fabrics that not only decorate but become an integral part of the spaces we inhabit. The care and attention that Fischbacher 1819 devotes to every detail of the creation of its fabrics have made for a collection that is a symphony of history, memory, and spirit.
Ancient Memories represents not merely a collection of fine fabrics, but a curatorial work that celebrates the mastery of the past while looking to the future with respect and awareness. With this collection, Fischbacher 1819 reminds us that true luxury lies not only in novelty but in honouring the past, in choosing materials that embody history, and in creating spaces that touch the heart.
Discover the concept behind the showroom during Milan Design Week
Discover the Collection:
Animalia Echo
Animalia Traces
Eco Saga
Crafted Echoes
Heritage Healing
Infinite Patina
Nature's Canvas
Nature's Dialogue
Pastoral Weave
Puffy Loom
Sacred Bark
Tales of Nature
Timeless Traces
Wanders' Heritage