Borre Akkersdijk is a Dutch textile designer and the founder of fabric innovation studio ByBorre. He received a Bachelor degree in Man and Identity from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2009 before interning and eventually working at design consultancy bureau Studio Edelkoort.

Founding ByBorre in October 2010 was a conscious effort to counter the fashion industry’s lack of emphasis on the fabric production stage of a garment. Borre took the 3D knitting technology traditionally used in the manufacture of mattresses and adapted it to create textured one-piece jumpsuits. This novel approach to garment-making caught the attention of the industry at large, winning him collaborations with the likes of Nike and Louis Vuitton, as well as being named Young Designer of the Year by the Dutch Design Awards in 2012.

A more recent project is called Byborre Create, winner of a Dutch Design Award in 2021, a digital tool that allows anyone to design complex 3D-knitted fabrics. This opensource platform is programmed to understand the capabilities of circular knitting machines, so users can accurately define the process of creating colours, patterns and textures themselves.

Byborre Create is linked to a library of material suppliers and textile manufacturers, so designers can find the right partners to responsibly produce their designs. Currently users have to be approved by Byborre, although the long-term aim is to open up access to anyone who wants to use the technology.

Akkersdijk said his aim is to "democratise responsible textile development".
Byborre has taken this "open-source mindset" even further with the launch of its latest initiative, the Window of Textile Opportunities (WoTO). The WoTO showroom in Amsterdam represents a global network of suppliers, manufacturers, institutions and organisations who are working with Byborre to revolutionise the way that textiles are produced.

Byborre is now revealing the materials and processes behind its fabrics. His end goal is to create an ecosystem where the supply chain of every textile product becomes an important consideration for both designer and consumer.

This lecture marks the start of a Masterclass supported by the Keep An Eye Foundation.
While the Masterclass is intended for students of the Textile & Fashion department only, the opening lecture is open to everyone interested.