A Winter Gathering of Craft, Culture, and Presence
House of Woven Stories Pop-Up in Zurich
For three beautiful days in Zurich, House of Woven Stories opened its doors to a thoughtfully curated pop-up experience. One that went beyond fashion to celebrate culture, craftsmanship, hospitality, and human connection.
Set in an intimate and artful space organised by Villa Nomad, the pop-up invited guests to slow down, observe, and truly engage. From the very first moment, the atmosphere felt intentional. A place where fashion was not just displayed, but experienced.
The Setting: An Atmosphere Curated by Villa Nomad
The pop-up took place in a space curated by Villa Nomad, whose approach to interiors mirrors the philosophy of House of Woven Stories: warm, layered, and human.
Natural light, considered layouts, and tactile materials allowed the garments to breathe. The space invited guests to move slowly, to linger, and to observe. It created an ambience that felt closer to an art salon than a retail environment, one where fashion could be experienced quietly and personally.
Aseel Al Hilal: Hospitality as Cultural Expression
Food played a central role in shaping the rhythm and warmth of the pop-up, curated by Head Culinary Expert Aseel Al Hilal.
Her approach to food mirrored the ethos of the event: authentic, generous, and deeply rooted in tradition. Guests were welcomed with Habaq tea, served as a ritual of arrival. Throughout the day, Saudi coffee infused with cardamom and saffron was poured, aromatic, grounding, and shared slowly.
The table featured Sukkary dates from the Al Qassim region, known for their softness and natural sweetness, alongside traditional Saudi biscuits filled with dates, cinnamon, and date molasses.
More than catering, the food became a connector. It encouraged guests to pause, to sit together, and to talk longer. It softened the space and turned it into something intimate, a place of nourishment in every sense.
As evening approached, the space shifted into apéro. Guests enjoyed saffron martinis, dried orange whiskey sours, mimosas, and more, served alongside a beautifully curated charcuterie board by Ms. Aseel. The table became a gathering point, encouraging conversation, laughter, and lingering moments.
Aleksandra Viktor: Craft as a Living Dialogue
At the heart of the pop-up was Aleksandra Viktor, whose presence transformed the experience entirely.
For the first two days, Aleksandra joined us in Zurich and shared her work in person. Her presence brought depth and meaning to the experience, allowing guests to engage directly with her process and materials. Her brand is rooted in IKAT textiles, handwoven in Uzbekistan using ancestral techniques that preserve both cultural heritage and artisanal integrity.
For this event, Aleksandra created an exclusive IKAT capsule, designed specifically for House of Woven Stories. The pieces featured sculptural, intuitive silhouettes, garments that felt both strong and fluid, contemporary yet timeless.
What made the experience truly special was the dialogue. Fittings became conversations. Guests learned about the sourcing of materials, the symbolism woven into patterns, and the patience required to produce each textile. Wearing the pieces felt intentional, an exchange rather than a transaction.
Kilometre Paris: Accessories with Origin and Soul
Complementing the garments were the bags by Kilometre Paris, which quickly became one of the most talked-about elements of the pop-up.
Each piece carries a story of place. Some are embroidered in Essaouira, Morocco, as part of women-led artisan initiatives, while others belong to limited special editions crafted with equal care. Guests were drawn to their colour, texture, and unmistakable sense of identity.
These bags reminded us that accessories can do more than complete a look. They can carry geography, community, and purpose in every stitch.
Ellecia Knolles: Energy, Styling, and Lived Fashion
One of the most vibrant energies in the room came from Ellecia Knolles, stylist, fashion icon, long-time client, and dear friend of the brand.
Travelling from Texas to Zurich, Ellecia immersed herself fully in the experience, staying for all three days. She lived in the collections, trying pieces with curiosity and confidence, styling looks intuitively, and sharing her perspective openly with guests.
Her presence brought the garments to life. Through her movement, styling, and storytelling, clothing became expressive and human. A spontaneous photoshoot unfolded naturally, capturing moments of joy and authenticity, a reminder that fashion finds its meaning when it is truly worn.
Music, Community, and Creative Exchange
Soundscapes curated by artist Aliaa Kurdi (@aliaa_withadoubletea) flowed softly through the space, guiding the mood from day into evening and adding an emotional rhythm to the experience.
The pop-up welcomed Zurich’s fashion and creative community, including influencers, stylists, and tastemakers, all drawn together by a shared appreciation for beauty, intention, and culture. Conversations unfolded naturally around art, sustainability, creativity, and the joy of slowing down in a fast-paced world.
Guests can continue the atmosphere of the pop-up through our Tea Time and Evening playlists, curated especially for the experience.
An Art Gallery - Like Experience
Rather than a traditional retail moment, the pop-up felt like an immersive exhibition. Garments, light, music, food, and objects coexisted harmoniously. Each detail was carefully curated, allowing guests to experience fashion in a way that felt reflective, inspiring, and human.
What Remained
When the days came to a close, what stayed with us were not just the garments or the moments, but the feeling in between.
Conversations that unfolded slowly.
Pieces that found their person.
A shared understanding that craft, culture, and creativity require time, care, and presence.
This pop-up was a reminder of what fashion can be when it is approached thoughtfully, as an exchange, not a performance.
Closing One Chapter, Opening Another
This Winter Pop-Up marked one of the final moments under the name House of Woven Stories.
We close this chapter with gratitude for the people who joined us, for the stories shared, and for the memories created together.
Next year, a new chapter begins. One shaped by movement, journeys, and evolving narratives.
We look forward to welcoming you again,
as House of Nomad Stories.
More encounters.
More cultures.
More stories yet to be lived.