On mildly cool Monday morning at the Marriott Northeast at Liangmaqiao, several vendors were displaying their wares to attract the eyes and hearts of the International Newcomers’ Network Spring Bazaar attendees. This is where I met Dutch international Desiree de Wit. If you are still searching for gifts to give friends then de Wit’s organic towels are just what you want! de Wit and her family have been Beijing residents for three years, they moved here when her husband got a job opportunity. Here’s a Q&A about her business.
When did you start your business, and why?
I started my business a year ago after returning back from a trip to Istanbul. I had lived in Istanbul for 3 years prior to moving to Beijing, and always loved all the Turkish textiles whilst living there. When I moved to Beijing at the end of 2013, I noticed that handmade Turkish towels and blankets were nowhere to be found in Beijing. I returned back to Istanbul in early 2015 and I brought my favorite samples of towels and blankets back to Beijing. They sold out quickly. I continue to source beautiful new textiles for my Beijing customers through my network of vendors in Turkey.
Who are your customers?
Primarily, my customers are Beijing Expatriates and Chinese who have great taste in design and luxury products.
What’s your signature product or products?
My handmade blankets, bath towels, tea towels are the most popular products. The best thing about my towels is that they are handmade, 100 percent organic cotton and multipurpose for the shower, sauna, beach, spa, gym, yacht, or the pool.
– Multipurpose: Use them as a chic sarong, beach towel, wrap to keep you warm, tablecloth or an impromptu picnic blanket.
– Cost Effective and Absorbent: Durable to frequent washing and dry quickly and easily
– Perfect for traveling: Lightweight, easy to carry and occupy little space in your bag or storage
– Eco-friendly: Consume less water and detergent in washing
– Perfect gift for anyone: hostess, teachers, moms, and anyone who loves beautiful luxurious textiles.
Why do you think your customers like your products?
They are all 1) Handmade, high-quality and luxurious 2) absorbent and don’t take up a lot of room in linen closets, and 3) Versatile and multipurpose.
Where do you get your ideas from?
I get inspired by travel, interior design trends and I work with vendors in Istanbul to select my favorite textiles to import to Beijing.
What’s your goal?
My goal is for as many people to have access to beautiful handmade luxurious textiles
How much do your products cost?
My tea towels are RMB 75 each, most towels are approximately RMB 300, and my blankets are RMB 900.
You can get in touch with de Wit (魏德瑞) by calling her on 132 6949 5428, email dewitfamily@mac.com, or WeChat: desireedewit.
Photos: Desiree de Wit
