I’m Daniela Monedero Simon, a Textile Designer. My path has been many things but conventional, during my life mobility and new experiences have been a very important factor for me. I was born and raised in Mexico City. At the age of 18 I moved to the Netherlands to study my BA diploma in Design at Design Academy Eindhoven. During my time in university I also took part in an exchange semester at Weissensee Kunstschule Berlin and a full time internship at the Design Studio Meyers&Fügmann. My year in Berlin was formative and allowed me to challenge myself on many levels, from the personal to the academic. During this year I sharpened my professional practice and started focusing in Textile Design.
After this year I returned to The Netherlands in order to complete my BA and thesis projects. My practice focuses on narrative driven textile design that embraces my identity, heritage and explores the intersection of tradition and contemporary design. Throughout my academic career I have looked to move to new cities because I believe that putting yourself in challenging scenarios allows you to grow in every aspect.
When the question opened up about: What to do after graduation? I knew I wanted something different, I wanted to focus on my personal practice but at the same time keep learning from the professional field. After reading about the program I decided this would be a perfect balance. I believe this program will provide me with valuable learning experiences, by being surrounded by professionals from the field while still allowing me to work on my creative practice with guidance.
I was looking to understand the textile industry, its different components and where exactly do I want to position myself as a Textile Designer. I am especially drawn to Lottozero’s wide approach to textile design. Experimenting and finding new ways of working with materials is central to my practice, and I feel this aligns strongly with their way of working. Over the past years, I’ve also realised how much I value being part of a larger ecosystem. During my studies and my internship, I loved collaborating, engaging with clients and visitors, and being involved in the daily rhythm of the studio. I was looking for a place that goes beyond production, one that is connected to a wider community and engaged with the industry in meaningful ways.
I trust that this will be an amazing experience that will allow me to grow on a personal and professional level. Moving to Italy has always been a dream of mine, and I’m excited to start this adventure.