This October marked a milestone for SHAPE & SHADE™: our first international exhibition with our first product — the BOLD SHKAM chair — presented at Dutch Design Week 2024 in Eindhoven.
Hosted within the Form Unfolding exhibition curated by Isola Design, the BOLD SHKAM was showcased among some of today’s most innovative design works. Inspired by the traditional Albanian Shkam stool, we reimagined it into a modular, customizable chair that adapts to any space, celebrating cultural memory while embracing modern, playful versatility.
Experiencing the Heart of DDW
Our journey began at Ketelhuisplein, the vibrant heart of Dutch Design Week, where thousands of visitors and design enthusiasts gathered. Here, the BOLD SHKAM invited interaction — not just as a piece of furniture, but as a cultural story translated into contemporary form. Seeing people sit, play, and reflect with the chair was a reminder that design is at its best when it sparks connection.
Beyond the Exhibition
But DDW was more than an exhibition. It was a full week of dialogue, exchange, and discovery. We were honored to deliver a talk — Past Forward: A Dialogue Between Heritage and Innovation — where we shared how memory, tradition, and identity are woven into our design process. We also led a workshop on identity through design, inviting participants to explore how objects can carry personal and collective narratives.
Our First Step on the International Stage
Participating at Dutch Design Week was a special milestone for us: it was the first time we presented a product outside Kosovo and Turkey, stepping onto the international stage to share our vision. For SHAPE & SHADE™, it marked the beginning of a journey — one where we bring local stories and cultural heritage into global conversations about design.
Throughout the week, we connected with inspiring designers, engaged in meaningful conversations, and experienced firsthand why DDW is such a vital platform for emerging voices in design.
Reflection: What We Take Home from Eindhoven
DDW gave us the chance to see how a local story could resonate with a global audience. The warmth, curiosity, and feedback we received showed us that heritage can be universal — when it is told with authenticity and care. We return home not only with recognition, but also with inspiration, confidence, and the motivation to push our practice further, to keep building bridges between our cultural roots and the world of contemporary design.
