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Kim, Product Developer and Textile Hobbyist
Kim D'Aria (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based product developer and textile hobbyist with a creative night time gig called netnets. Kim works in the homeware industry and gives her strategic mind a break to create hand-knotted nets for carrying various items.
1. What inspired you to start NetNets?
As a kid in San Francisco, I spent a lot of time at a rock climbing gym after school, and my parents made sure that we visited Yosemite like twice a year. More recently I saw some images of climbers in the 80s in old Patagonia ads and the colors of their climbing cord was so exciting to me, I had to learn more. My initial thought was to crochet the material, but then I picked up a book of knots and went deep into youtube and here I am. My first netnet was a total accident. At the end of the day it is for my dad, Yosemite was his favorite place in the world.
2. What is your favorite part about your craft?
Experimentation. When I'm between commissions, I love to play around with shapes. I'm obsessed with the technicality, functionality, and utility of the material. I just want to do more and more with it and the colors and endless options draw me in.
3. How do you find time / motivation to run your side hustle while also working a full-time job?
That's a funny question because I honestly do not have time for it at all. But I set deadlines for myself and try my darnedest to stick to them, and ask for a little bit of forgiveness along the way. I am forever grateful for everyone who has shown me patience.
4. What is something you want to see change about your industry?
Trends. I'm just so tired of items or products that don't last. I want the focus to be on function, usability, sustainability.
5. What song do you currently have on repeat?
I've been listening to a lot of Colombian music over the last few weeks, and someone very dear to me shared a song called La Reyna de Colombia - It's sunshine and warmth in a song, and it's very much something I associate with the person who showed it to me.
