Darja Malešič, an independent designer from Ljubljana, expertly merges traditional Slovenian wicker craft with circular design. Darja’s work channels traditional craft techniques into contemporary design, and demonstrates sustainable practices, and ethical production. Her pieces frequently combine fluid forms and sculptural reference and use completely natural local materials, such as hazel wood, willow, corn husk and rye straw.

After gaining an MA in Fashion Womenswear at The Royal College of Art, London, Darja worked as a designer for over a decade in luxury fashion houses in Italy including Dolce&Gabbana and John Richmond, before changing direction completely in order to focus on responsible design. Her creative work now spans a wide range of products from lighting and homeware to footwear, but crucially explores the possibilities offered by Slovenian wicker craft and weaving, often combined with modern engineering techniques. Since starting her own company in 2018, Darja has received several design awards from CzK, Museum for Architecture and Design, Slovenia, and her products have been shown at many international design exhibitions including Design Weeks in Milan, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and the Netherlands (Dutch Design Week).