Issuu

LOOKBOOK

AUTUMN WINTER

2026-2027

Welcome to our world Global Affairs is an Amsterdam-based brand. Since 1998, we have created thoughtful gifts that bring colour and warmth to daily life. Every piece is made with care for people and planet, combining sustainability, fair trade, and traditional craftsmanship. Our collections reflect a simple belief: that beauty and kindness belong together. Thoughtful giving Our new edition brings together a range of designs to brighten everyday routines. A new selection of creative pieces: for art lovers and for thoughtful adults choosing a beautiful gift for a child. Every item tells a story, whether it’s a personal keepsake or a thoughtful gift. About giving We believe giving brings people together. Our designs offer thoughtful items to share with others or enjoy yourself. Explore our customised and Global Affairs collections and share a simple moment of connection. Designs to last Our pieces are bright, timeless, playful, and made to last: bringing together colour, creativity, and care for today and beyond.

2 Introduction 6 Made to be given 8 Craftsmanship 10 Masterpiece to product 12 Custom-made 14 Bringing art to life 16 The making of a collection FROM STOCK:

18 Arty gifts 20 The artist collection 28 Botanical Synergy 30 Inspired by nature 34 Tiny icons 36 Dare to make a statement! 40 The gift of a smile 42 One colourful world 46 Live and sweet vibes 50 Let’s shine 5

MADE TO BE GIVEN

Socially and environmentally responsible gift design We design and produce gifts that bring colour and everyday value, while prioritising sustainable materials and fair pay for makers.

In 2025/26, we created commissioned collections and products for clients including: • Amnesty International (NL) • Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden • FENIX, Rotterdam • Tate Modern, London • The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston • Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna • The National Gallery, London • Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam • The English National Ballet, London • High Museum of Art, Atlanta • Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo

Design and responsible production Our collections use recycled and organic textiles, FSC certified paper, and avoid single use packaging. We aim to reduce environmental impact and maintain transparent supply chains. Craftsmanship and makers Handmade with attention to detail. By working with artisans and traditional techniques, we ensure quality and fair compensation.

For more information, see page 12

Commissions for third parties In addition to our own Global Affairs range, we focus primarily on developing bespoke collections and products for external clients, including brands, museums, NGOs, and retailers.

ORGANIC - STITCHES - TEXTURES - HANDMADE

CRAFTMANSHIP Modern design, traditionally crafted. Each of our handmade dolls and keyrings is a work of art, created with close attention to detail. Every two years, we catch up with the skilled artisans who bring our crochet designs to life. From stuffing the bodies to sewing the intricate dresses, their hands-on dedication ensures no two pieces are ever the same. We are proud to back their talent and share this craft worldwide.

MASTERPIECE TO PRODUCT Many designs are developed in collaboration with museums around the world. These partnerships often result in exclusive products created for exhibitions and museum shops. Recent examples include a crochet version of Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring for The Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka, Leonardo da Vinci’s La Belle Ferronnière for the exhibition Masterpieces of the Renaissance from the Musée du Louvre at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and Artemisia Gentileschi’s self-portrait for the National Gallery in London. The last two are available exclusively through the respective museum shops.

Creating these products is a collaborative process that combines research, design, and craftsmanship. The aim is not to replicate the artwork, but to capture its character in a way that works for everyday use.

Size: 41,6 x 115 mm

Every product starts with a work of art. Whether it is a well-known painting, an exhibition, or a particular artistic theme, we begin by exploring the artwork in detail. We look at the composition, story, colours, and historical context to understand what makes it memorable and relevant. From there, the design process takes shape. Together with the buyer, our team translates elements of the artwork into products that are both recognisable and practical. Inspired by Gustav Klimt’s iconic women, we created a series of embroidered decorative ornaments for the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere in Vienna, while Monet’s painting of Zaandam was reimagined as small icons on a pouch for the Zaans Museum. From masterpiece to product: bringing art into everyday life.

YOUR IDEA, YOUR DESIGN OUR IDEA, OUR DESIGN

CUSTOM-MADE

Looking for a creative partner to develop a custom product or an entire bespoke collection? We would love to collaborate. Get in touch with us to explore the possibilities together. There are three ways we can develop your custom collection:

OUR DESIGN

You can select an existing item from our collection and tailor it to your brand. We can adjust the design, colours, and details to match your identity. Alternatively, you can keep the original design and simply add your own branding, barcodes, and packaging.

NEW DESIGN

We can create a brand-new design from scratch. We manage the entire journey – from the first sketches to production, packaging, and logistics – bringing your ideas to life seamlessly.

YOUR DESIGN

Already have a design ready to go? We will take it from there. We manage the complete production process and, if necessary, fine-tune your design to ensure it is perfectly optimised for production.

BRINGING ART TO LIFE Over the past year, we have designed custom product collections for several international museums and premium retailers. We specialise in turning art, nature, and pop culture into highquality, physical products that allow design lovers to take a piece of their experience home.

Grand Sumo Tournament — Nagoya, Japan To celebrate the historic Nagoya Grand Sumo tournament in Japan this July, we designed an exclusive, cute sumo wrestler keyring. This custom piece captures the spirit of traditional Japanese culture in our signature playful style.

Naturalis Biodiversity Center — Leiden, The Netherlands To mark the exhibition Het bos van Suriname, we developed a dedicated collection focused on the world’s most forested country and its unique ecosystem. Inspired by the deep connection between the forest and its Indigenous and Maroon communities, these items share a story of mutual care and connection. On display until May 2, 2027. 14

Umeda Snoopy Festival — Osaka, Japan

Expanding our presence in Japan, we designed custom merchandise for premium department stores and local exhibitions. This unique retail collection features iconic pop-culture characters, highlighted by a reimagined, playful Snoopy collection tailored for Japanese design enthusiasts.

Van Gogh Museum — Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Vincent van Gogh is famous for his vibrant paintings, but he was also a skilled sketcher. Inspired by the playful animal drawings in one of his rare sketchbooks, we teamed up with Studio Hellen van Berkel to create a joint ‘Sketch!’ collection for the Van Gogh Museum. By blending his expressive lines and bold colours, these items encourage everyone to discover Van Gogh’s artistry. The collection features patches, pouches, and keyrings by Global Affairs. 15

THE MAKING OF A COLLECTION: FROM HOUSTON TO TATE MODERN

Our journey with Frida Kahlo’s legacy took an exciting turn last year. After contributing our signature Frida doll to the exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, we were approached by Tate Modern. They invited us to collaborate on the London edition of the exhibition, Frida: The Making of an Icon, which is currently open to the public until January 3, 2027. The exhibition itself offers an incredible look at how Kahlo transformed from a passionate painter into a global phenomenon. It showcases over 30 of her iconic artworks alongside personal belongings, clothing, and pieces by artists she inspired. The journey concludes with a dedicated ‘Fridamania’ section exploring her commercial impact—where our very own Frida doll is proudly on display. For this collaboration, we were asked to develop a small custom collection for both children and adults. Since Tate is also a major book publisher, they always release dedicated titles for their major shows. We designed a playful keychain and a matching pouch based directly on Laura Page’s illustrations for the new children’s book, Meet the Artist. Alongside the book accessories, we developed a series of enamel keyrings and pins inspired by two of Kahlo’s iconic masterpieces featured in her history: The Frame (1938) and Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1940). . . . become an artist Meet the Artist

Step into the colourful world of Frida Kahlo! This book is bursting with inspiring activities and ideas for budding young artists.

Frida Kahlo An Art Activity Book

Join Laura Page on a spectacular adventure through the powerful paintings of Frida Kahlo and make your own artworks along the way! UK £6.99 US $12.95 CAN $15.95 ISBN 978-1-917055-19-2

Cover book Meet the artist Illustrations by Laura Page

Arty gifts

from our own collection

Perfect for young and old, these charming, handmade pieces bring the world of art to life in a delightful, tactile form.

They are designed to inspire creativity and

celebrate artistry, because art isn’t just for galleries – it’s for everyone.

THE ARTIST COLLECTION

Say hello to Vincent, Frida, Claude, and the rest of the creative gang. What started as a small collection of artist dolls has grown into a playful mix of crochet dolls and keyrings inspired by well-known artists and artworks. Last season, we welcomed Claude, Jean-Michel, Keith, Salvador, and Andy. This season, a few famous ladies from art history have joined the collection. One of our newest creations is inspired by Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. We were commissioned to develop a crochet keyring based on this iconic painting. While the original artwork is currently on loan from the Mauritshuis to The Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka, Japan, her crochet version will also soon be available at the Mauritshuis and as part of our own Artist Collection. We are also introducing Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, inspired by the beloved painting from the Rijksmuseum’s permanent collection in Amsterdam. Together, these characters bring artists and artworks from different periods and styles a little closer to everyday life. Designed for different ages, the collection invites children to discover the world of art while offering adults a handmade design piece with character. Every doll and keyring is carefully crocheted by hand, combining traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary feel. By combining artisanal craftsmanship with modern design, we celebrate the enduring value of handmade creation and help keep these traditions alive for future generations.

BOTANICAL SYNERGY

Where modern design meets the organic beauty of the plant kingdom. This collection blends lush green tones and historical floral patterns into contemporary pieces, bringing a fresh, calming touch of the outdoors into your daily life. 29

Inspired by nature Every single detail, every season, everywhere.

The infinite amount of colour variations, species and refinement. We love it all. Nature inspires us every day with it’s beauty, complexity and balance.

Discover this collection as our homage to nature and the animals living in it.

Pictures by Natuurmuseum Brabant

TINY ICONS

Start your day with a splash of colour and a touch of comfort. From sketching

masterpieces to savouring slow mornings, these miniature designs are made to bring a smile to your everyday routine.

Dare to make a

STATEMENT!

For those who aren’t afraid to ask tough questions. Each piece is a

reminder to reflect and embrace life as it comes. This collection isn’t just about style; it’s an invitation to speak up and make an impact.

THE GIFT F A SMILE

A small touch, a big smile.

Spread joy with cheerful colours and playful, organic shapes. Whether radiating peace, sharing a smile, or giving a cheeky wink, these items are perfect to

brighten someone’s day or to wear yourself for an instant confidence boost.

ONE COLOURFUL

WORLD A vibrant collection inspired by global

connections and shared joy. These playful

designs bring together diverse patterns and bright tones, celebrating the beauty of a world where everyone belongs.

Love and Sweet vibes Let’s share some love with these soft, gentle gifts. We use sweet pastel colours and cuddly materials as a canvas for creating genuine moments of happiness. Immerse yourself in a world of lovely characters and comforting themes.

Let’s shine

Everyone can feel like a princess or a ballet dancer with these bright, sparkling designs. Tailored for little girls, this jewellery range features shiny details and radiant colours meant to celebrate their small personalities and bring a bit of extra light to any occasion.

Global Affairs BV Lakenhalstraat 2 1064 WZ Amsterdam The Netherlands T: +31 (0)20 4124503 info@globalaffairs.nl instagram @globalaffairs - facebook.com/globalaffairs.nl

www.globalaffairs. nl

Photography: www.rolindawindhorst.nl Graphic design: Larissa Leerssen © 2026 Global Affairs BV, All rights reserved. This catalogue is for reference only. The actual colours and fabrics of the products may differ slightly from the items displayed in the lookbook.