About
Futur-Velours.com
Embroidering The Future
Futur-Velours.com is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering artistic dialogue between traditional artists in Ilebo, Kasai (DRC), and contemporary artists, designers, collectors, and institutions worldwide. The project bridges the rich heritage of raffia textiles with modern artistic and design practices.
Our online platform showcases the exceptional work of our artists in Kasai who continue the centuries-old tradition of creating Shoowa (also known as velours de Kasai or Kasai velvet). These intricate textiles, a hallmark of Kuba culture, are reimagined through collaborative artistic experiments. The resulting hybrid fabrics form a woven and embroidered dialogue, blending heritage with innovation.
Every Shoowa raffia piece is the result of a meticulous, months-long process that uses only natural materials. This craft celebrates improvisation and artistic freedom, producing one-of-a-kind pieces. Each artist brings their unique vision to the fabric, enriching the work with individual expression, much like the improvisational nature of jazz.
Tradition and Innovation
Futur-Velours.com critically examines the colonial legacy of Kuba textiles. During the colonial era, the commodification of these textiles under the influence of missionary schools led to the standardization of their intricate designs, reducing them to sterile symbols of post-colonial statehood.. By revisiting old textile works, the project seeks to reclaim the creative liberty and authenticity of this traditional art form.
The textile artists from Ilebo embody this mission, reconnecting the past and future. Their work serves as a bridge between deep historical roots and contemporary innovation, “embroidering the future” by honoring tradition while embracing new creative possibilities.
Collaborate and Create
Through our platform, you can collaborate with our artists to design bespoke pieces that reflect the versatility of Shoowa raffia. These textiles transcend traditional art, finding new expressions in design and fashion.
Every purchase directly supports our non-profit initiative. 100% of the proceeds go toward offering fair wages to our artists and staff in Congo, creating a positive and sustainable impact on their lives.
The Team:
Germaine Kadi
Ida Bulape
Marie Jeanne Mbokashanga
Charo Mbawoto
Petronie Lampa
Rachel Mbawoto
Hypolite Kwete
Anastasie Laboko Bulape
Patient Mingambengele
Helene Loa
Bren Heymans
Helene Loa manages the initiative from Kinshasa, while our photographer and artist, Mingambengele Patient, leads and documents the process in Ilebo. The project is founded in 2019 by Bren Heymans who oversees the project from Belgium.
