A journey through design and innovation: the British textiles exhibitions we have enjoyed this Autumn.
This autumn we have had the privilege of attending some of the UK’s most exciting textiles exhibitions, sustainability, and design focused events. We travelled from London to Bradford, drawing inspiration from brands within the interior design industry, engaging with the next generation of weave students and visiting other incredible mills. Here’s a reflection on our journey through these creative spaces.
Focus 2024 – A Hub for textiles exhibitions and Interior Design Inspiration
Hosted at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, Focus/24 was a fantastic way to kickstart this journey. The venue, an iconic design hub, was alive with textiles exhibitions, vibrant colour palettes, cutting-edge furniture, and an overwhelming array of fabrics and wall coverings. From modern minimalist to timeless traditional, Focus showcased everything that makes the interior design world dynamic and inspiring.
A key highlight was the creative talks and presentations that dissected emerging trends. A discussion by GP & J Baker about their archive and translation of old designs into contemporary furnishings offered a fascinating insight into their approach to design. We also enjoyed Conversations in Design, The New Elegance: Mastering Timeless Interiors with Remy Renzullo, Max Rollitt and Orlando Rock. This talk explored the influential role historic houses in interior design and architecture, something Humpries Weaving get to enjoy every day.
UKFT Sustainability Conference – navigating the future of textiles in the UK
The next event we attended was the Sustainability Conference hosted by the UK Fashion and Textile organisation. This event was focused on addressing the critical challenge of creating a more sustainable textiles industry, from production to retail. Experts from across the industry gathered to discuss sustainable practices, circular fashion, and innovative technologies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of textiles. The sessions also explored the challenges brands face in scaling these solutions, and we are proud to have become the first mill in the UK to be awarded OEKO-TEX® accreditation. More information about the Sustainability practices at Humphries Weaving can be found here.
Decorex International – The Pinnacle of Luxury Interiors
While visiting some of our key interior design clients in London we also had the pleasure of attending Decorex at Olympia London. It was great to be inspired by all elements of the interior design world, from bespoke furniture, lighting, textiles exhibitions, and antiques.
What made Decorex particularly impressive was its celebration of craftsmanship. Artisans were not just showcasing their products; they were sharing their processes. From live demonstrations of weaving and hand-painted wallpapers to embroidery, the event was an immersive experience in the value of tradition and craftsmanship in design. During the day we also learnt a lot from the talks program, and it was great to hear from our industry friends about their experiences with AI, the US markets and designing for the future.
Making It in Textiles – a celebration of British Textile heritage
Making It in Textiles is a unique event held in Bradford, the heart of the UK’s historic textile industry. The conference is a collaboration between The Campaign for Wool, The Clothworkers’ Company, The Drapers’ Company, The Weavers’ Company, and the Woolmen’s Company. The conference brings together students, industry professionals, and textile manufacturers to ensure that the future of British textiles is as rich as its past. It is not just a conference but a celebration of the UK’s textile heritage. It’s about passing down skills to the next generation while also ensuring that the industry evolves with new technology and sustainable practices.
The event was filled with fascinating talks on everything from textile design to manufacturing, with the opportunity to visit mills and see production processes firsthand. It was great to speak to so many woven textiles students at the event, and we are sure their paths will be entwined with Humphries Weaving throughout their promising careers.
The Historic Houses AGM, 2024
For our next trip in November, we are looking forward to attending this Historic Buildings, Parks & Gardens Event in the Queen Elizabeth Conference centre. During the event, we will showcase our bespoke, British textiles, catch up with long-standing clients in the historic world and learn about other important heritage crafts. You can also meet the team of Alex, Charlotte & Sarah and discuss future projects. If you would like to attend the event to see our textiles exhibitions, follow the link here: https://hbpge.hall-mccartney.co.uk/
