Capsicum Natural Fabrics is 50 years old. A festive occasion in Amsterdam where the turnover rate of shops is high; from start-up to renowned specialist shop. Since its founding in 1975 by Steve and Deborah Pepper, Capsicum's handmade fabrics have been an inspiration from the catwalk to the living room over the years.
A household name in Amsterdam
The shop is a household name in Amsterdam's city centre. The large, colourful shop windows (100 m2) on the corner of Oude Hoogstraat and Oudezijds Achterburgwal capture the imagination of regular customers and the (whether or not) casual passer-by. Capsicum, with a sophisticated assortment in artisanal textiles, defied changing trends in Retail and endured the Corona years, when home workers sought creativity and self-development.
A small stubborn company
'A small stubborn company' as current owner Nelleke van de Streek (66) describes it. In May 2025, after 36 years of service (16 as owner), she will hand over the torch to Max Beets (30) who joined Capsicum in 2024, after starting as a fashion designer in London. Beets immediately felt like a fish out of water and takes on the challenge of continuing Capsicum, both Shop Interior in the 1990s (photo studio Jan Bartelsman) artistically and business-wise. The shop will celebrate this milestone in May with a festive window display full of clothes and objects made with Capsicum fabrics by customers over the past 50 years, and on Saturday 10 May, artist and designer Bas Kosters will create a tapestry in the shop together with customers.
What is the DNA of Capsicum Naturals?
A shop where personal attention is paramount, for the fabric, for the weavers and for the customers. Every visitor is allowed to look around to their heart's content, grab fabrics from the closet or submit an intricate design. The staff think with you. The range extends from colourful batiks, ikats, fabulous brocades, to sparkling silks, linens and damasks. Many at home and abroad know the address on the periphery of 'The Red Light District' and know they never come home empty-handed.
The power of imperfection
Buying from Capsicum guarantees craftsmanship, quality and exclusivity. An appreciation for natural, handmade materials provides an alternative in an ever-accelerating world, where craft and attention offer a counterpoint to intimidating brand culture, ecological issues, and a rapidly changing cityscape. The power of imperfection inherent in small-scale craft shows the human in fabric.
Three generations of Capsicum lovers can now be distinguished. Capsicum is at a tipping point anno 2025. A moment to look back, while adding new threads to the weave of 50 years of Capsicum in Amsterdam.
