Nannette Depraeter

About Nannette Depraeter

I am an international marketing and business development professional with a background spanning retail, manufacturing, and digital commerce. My work focuses on helping brands, designers, and creative entrepreneurs turn ideas into market-ready products through thoughtful strategy, technology, and strong customer experiences.As Managing Director of The Textile District, I lead a U.S-based digital textile printing platform that provides custom fabric printing by the yard for designers, small-batch manufacturers, and makers. Our mission is to make professional-quality textile production more accessible while supporting the growing community of independent surface pattern designers, apparel brands, interior designers, and creative businesses.With a career rooted in both manufacturing operations and brand development, I bring a commercial perspective to product development, digital strategy, and customer engagement. I have led initiatives that connect design, technology, and manufacturing to create scalable solutions that drive growth and long-term brand value.My professional interests include:• Digital textile printing and manufacturing innovation• Surface pattern design and creative marketplaces• Brand development and product strategy• Customer-first digital experiences• Small-batch manufacturing and creative entrepreneurshipI am passionate about building businesses that combine craft, technology, and design, enabling creators to bring their ideas to life and reach new audiences.If you’re a designer, brand, or manufacturer exploring custom fabric production or digital textile printing, feel free to connect.

Experience

1. Managing Director

   The Textile District Custom Fabric Printing & Digital Textile Printing Usa

   Aug 2017 — Present · Charlotte, NC, US

   Managing Director of The Textile District, a U.S-based digital textile printing studio and online fabric marketplace serving independent designers, small-batch manufacturers, apparel brands, interior designers, and DIY makers.We specialize in custom fabric printing by the yard using fiber-reactive dyes, producing vibrant, colorfast fabrics with exceptional detail and soft hand. Our OEKO-TEX® certified printing process ensures environmentally responsible production while delivering fabrics ready for real-world use.All natural fiber fabrics are steamed, washed, and finished in-house, making them production-ready for apparel, home décor, upholstery, quilting, and soft furnishings.Key Responsibilities• Lead strategic growth and brand development for The Textile District’s digital textile printing platform• Consult with B2B and B2C clients on custom fabric printing, textile sourcing, and production strategies• Support surface pattern designers, photographers, and textile artists in bringing proprietary designs to market as fabric by the yard• Oversee product development across 15+ base fabrics for apparel, quilting, home décor, and performance textiles• Create educational content, tutorials, and marketing initiatives that inspire the sewing, design, and maker communities• Develop partnerships with independent designers and creative entrepreneursOur mission is to make professional-quality textile printing accessible, empowering designers and makers to turn their creative ideas into beautiful, production-ready fabrics.

Education

• Benedictine University

  MBA, International Business

  2005 — 2007

• The College of New Rochelle

  B.S., Business

  1979 — 1983