Since 2011 Belgium is Design participates in the international Milan Design Week to promote Belgian design. This year, the focus shifts to a unique and atypical theme. The exhibition highlights Belgian textile design, exploring everything from experimentation and material research to various applications and products development. It takes place at Alcova, one of the most widely followed projects during the Fuorisalone.
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 and 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 D2B project, an annual initiative of Belgium is Design that encourages meetings between Belgian designers and international companies.
Belgium is Design also continue to promote all Belgian initiatives in Milan during the Design Week at Salone del Mobile and Fuorisalone through the Belgian Design Map.
In addition, hub.brussels and Belgium is Design present (Un)wrapped, a small exhibition at the Brussels House featuring 10 Brussels-based designers.