The Edmond de Rothschild Design Award 2025
We are proud to be among the finalists for the Edmond de Rothschild Design Award 2025 in the Product Design – Senior Designer category.
The award aims to encourage excellence in local design and to highlight the best of Israeli design on the international stage.
The submission process invited us to look back on eleven years of iota, combining textile-based design, preservation of handcrafts, social production, and empowerment of women. Since founding iota in 2014, we have built a global network of craft communities — each with its own story, culture, and unique touch.
“Imagine a world where every consumer, architect, or designer chooses a product not only for its beauty or function, but also for its social impact. The world would inevitably become a better place, and the industry itself would change accordingly. Knowing how and where something is made — is a political and social act.” — Tal Zur, 2015
Hura, Israel (2014–2020)
Our first community — a group of five Bedouin women from the southern desert region — was established with the support of the Hura Municipality and the Al-Sanabel NGO. The women learned crochet, textile skills, time management, and quality standards with us. Together we created the iconic Flower Swing, and developed a unique yarn perfectly suited for crochet. Over time, we designed many products with them that continue to lead our collections today, all based on custom yarns and adaptable crochet instructions that can be done from home.
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Istanbul, Turkey (2019–present)
A community of Turkish mothers and Syrian refugees established with us a joint workshop and a small yarn factory. Expanding to Turkey opened new possibilities within a country with a rich textile industry. From this collaboration emerged the Indoor-Outdoor Collection, a large-scale line based on the traditional granny square — the most fundamental crochet unit. The result: stable, high-quality production involving at least twenty crocheters and a dedicated group producing our yarns. Over the years, we trained a core group of expert crocheters who now create more complex pieces such as the Rosetta Pouf and the Saddle Swing.
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Haryana, India (2021–present)
A collaboration with a local Indian organization that supports artisan families opened the door for us to explore weaving. Together we designed a limited-edition rug collection using traditional handweaving techniques combined with modern yarns suited to iota’s aesthetic. Weaving became a new language for us yet grounded in the same principles as crochet — connecting heritage craftsmanship with contemporary design. Today, this community also develops crochet projects with us and supports families of both weavers and crocheters.
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Soma, Turkey (2020–present)
A group of women working with a non-profit that empowers Turkish artisans and promotes awareness of local art and culture. The community specializes in Oya, a traditional Turkish crochet technique once used as a secret language between women. This fine needlework allows for intricate and nuanced designs. Together, we created collections of home accessories — tablecloths, blankets, runners, and napkins — each continuing to tell their story.
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The Rest of the World (Present – )
Today we are exploring new collaborations and building communities in Israel, India, China, and Africa — excited to see what will emerge from these relationships: which will flourish, what new materials or techniques will evolve.
Through design, we offer opportunity, skill, and connection — one community at a time.
We would be delighted to see you at the Edmond de Rothschild Product Design Award Exhibition, opening on October 30th at 19:00 at the Edmond de Rothschild Center, 104 Rothschild Blvd, Tel Aviv, on view until December 5th, 2025.
