After captivating the public at Milan Design Week, the exhibition caught the attention of Marie Pok, director of the centre for innovation and design (CID) at Grand-Hornu, who wanted to host it in her museum. Every year, Belgium is Design showcases in Milan, and this project focuses on an original and unique theme: textile design. The exhibition focuses on experimentation and research into materials, while exploring their various applications and product development.
WOVEN WHISPERS is a nod to Belgium’s rich textile history, bringing together the innovative and refined qualities of textiles while emphasizing the craftsmanship and expertise of the various designers. It showcases 17 textile designers and design studios selected through an open call, presenting a diverse range of creations from unique handmade pieces to industrially produced textiles objects ready for large-scale distribution.
The exhibition includes inflatable lamps made from pig intestines, hand-felted tapestries, and a rug crafted from recycled plastic sheathing. Ancient techniques are revitalized, digital tools are applied to analog processes to create surprising results, and the boundaries of the loom are explored, demonstrating that textile design often extends beyond two-dimensional surfaces. This approach frequently results in complex weave structures suitable for industrial production.
The range of materials used is equally diverse: from raffia, recycled leather, natural and sustainable materials to upcycled existing fabrics, plant roots, and textiles with bioactive components offering therapeutic benefits. The lightness and transparency of the fabric often contrast sharply with the complexity of the design. Alongside colorful, minimalist, luxurious, or expressive interior textiles for furniture, curtains, room dividers, flooring, and wall coverings, custom-made solutions are also showcased.
With WOVEN WHISPERS, Belgium is Design brings together textile projects that offer warmth, comfort, and a profound sense ofconnection.
The selected designers and design studios include: : Amandine David, Amandine Fabry, Charlotte Lancelot, Emma Cogné, Emma Terweduwe, Esther Van Schuylenbergh, Kato Herbots, La Gadoue, Minjung Kim, Morevi, Mathilde Wittock, Natalia Brilli, Rosie Broadhead, Sarah Carestia, Stefanie Everaerts et Xavier Servas.
The selection also includes a project by designer Juraj Straka, created in partnership with Ibride France, a French company specialising in interior design and renowned for its daring product for over 25 years. This collaboration came about thanks to the projet D2B, an annual initiative of Belgium is Design that encourages meetings between Belgian designers and international companies.