Experiences with Firestarter: Eleftheria Lavdaki and Zyanya Keizer - Interlaced Narrative

With the help of Firestarter, Eleftheria Lavdaki and Zyanya Keizer developed their project,Interlaced Narrative: a social and artisanal fashion project involving young people in the lead-up to State of Fashion 2026.

What isInterlaced Narrativeabout?
“Through this project, we’re collaborating with young people—including those affected by the benefits scandal—to create a mini-collection inspired by traditional textile techniques. Twice a month, we invite a professional artisan to lead a masterclass in our studio. The young people learn the technique and continue to experiment under our guidance. This leads to the creation of new fabrics, which we incorporate into garments. The entire process is documented in a video that will be presented during State of Fashion 2026.”

What does working with traditional crafts mean to you?
“For many participants, working with textiles is a completely new experience. Sitting together at a table and creating something is a unifying process. It almost feels like a family gathering: we share stories, cultures, and experiences. At the same time, young people discover new talents and build self-confidence.”

How did you end up working with Firestarter?
“We were already familiar with Cultuur Academy attended a consultation session when we wanted to apply for a large grant from the fund . We had a solid plan, but needed help refining it and presenting it persuasively. That conversation led us to Firestarter. Because the amount we were requesting from the FCP was substantial enough, we were able to include the loan in our budget. That made the move feasible.”

What did Firestarter make possible for you?
“Thanks to Firestarter, we were able to work with an experienced grant consultant. In a short period of time, our plan was refined, the budget was critically reviewed, and our case was strengthened. Without that guidance, it would have taken us much longer, and the application process would have been more nerve-wracking—especially since we had never applied for such a large amount before.”

How did you find the guidance?
“Pitching at Cultuur Academy immediately Cultuur Academy new insights. We learned to better explain what our project is about, even to advisors who aren’t from the creative sector. Firestarter helped us make our plan clearer and stronger. We believe that played a key role in the positive recommendation we ultimately received. The confidence that Cultuur Academy by taking a small risk is incredibly valuable for emerging creators.”

About Firestarter

Do you have an idea for a project but find it difficult to apply for funding? If so, Firestarter can help you with an interest-free loan, which you can use to hire a fundraiser for your project. Click here for more information about Firestarter.