Barbara Seems Born as a “Textile Woman”
From the age of four, Barbara always knew she wanted to do something with textiles. She loved holding fashion and fabrics in her hands.
Born and raised in Driebergen, she knew she wanted to pursue a practical education, making HAVO a necessary step. However, finding the right path afterward was a challenge. She considered AMFI in Amsterdam, but that focused solely on fashion. TMO (Doorn) was nearby, but its emphasis was on marketing and management. During high school, she had the opportunity to do an internship and chose ETP (Emergo Textile Projects – Sustainable Workwear) in Driebergen. It was there that someone introduced her to Saxion and the Fashion & Textile Technology program.
Initially, she commuted by train. Although that allowed extra study time, it ultimately proved impractical, leading her to move to student housing in Enschede. The program seemed tailor-made for her. With her passion and curiosity for textiles, she thrived.
Jury’s Statement on Her Nomination for the De Maere Award:
“Barbara’s academic results clearly demonstrate her eligibility for this award. Graduating cum laude is already a remarkable achievement. Moreover, and importantly, she has engaged in numerous extracurricular activities alongside her studies, including the Saxion Honours Program, a study trip to Morocco, and serving as a student ambassador. She has been exceptionally active in developing herself.
Especially commendable is her intention to participate in the Huruma Meva social development program in Kenya while starting her career. This shows that her interests extend beyond business alone, which we find incredibly valuable and want to encourage.”
Giving Back to Others…
Barbara has always felt a strong desire to give back. After graduating, she worked at ETP as a Junior Project Manager to save money for her three-month trip to Kenya. There, she helped women from the slums start a small bag-making business and supported various other projects. It was a beautiful yet confronting experience—being alone as a woman in a completely different culture. It greatly broadened her perspective and made her more independent. She followed her heart by combining her passion for textiles with helping people.
The prize money from the De Maere Award was also donated to the project in Kenya. Barbara was introduced to this initiative by her Saxion mentor, Anneke Lubbers.
Currently, she has found her place at ETP, a company that embraces innovation and sustainability—areas in which she can take initiative. Their vision is to become a leader in circular workwear, aligning perfectly with her own values.
With Barbara, Textile Technology and the next generation have a bright future.
Stichting De Maere is proud of its most recent award winner and of ETP, with its strong focus on sustainability, circularity, and social entrepreneurship.
Jurrie Barkel, Marie Anne Roozen en Anneke Lubbers , accepting the award during Thinking Textiles on Dec. 1, 2023, for Barbara, who was in Kenya at the time.