Nice Touch — Dagnija Smilga

«I’ve been interested in clothes and fashion since I was in school. I sew, experiment with clothes, and collect some valuable fashion items. One of the reasons why I like to participate in exhibition projects is that I get to dress up like I’m on the runway at the opening.

My interest in fabrics and construction of garments has also stretched into Ēter projects, and in recent years it has gone from being a personal passion to being part of our design language. Working with textiles was central to the design of Weird Sensation Feels Good: The World of ASMR, and I also apply my understanding of fabrics to the design of various interior objects. Being able to sew allows me to approach architecture and design in a more organic and tactile way. It is also useful in a purely practical way, as I sew the first models of objects myself.»

Dagnija Smilga is one of the founders of the architectural practice Ēter. Balancing the pragmatic and the poetic, Ēter translates cultural and social processes into space. The studio’s attention to the users and their experience in the design of the social services centre Pērle and the exhibition Weird Sensation Feels Good: The World of ASMR have been appreciated both in Latvia and internationally; furthermore, both projects also feature textile design objects. Although Ēter works mainly with architecture and environmental design, Dagnija’s interest in clothing and fabrics has led the studio into the world of fashion: on October 17, a denim installation by Ēter for the brand Weekday will be unveiled in Paris.

While the Latvian Architecture Award 2024 is nearing its finishing line with the award ceremony taking place on October 18 at Rīgas cirks, the applications for the National Design Award of Latvia 2025 have just opened.