Inspired by a visit to Notre Dame, this is a reflection on the power of textile recreation—not just to preserve the past, but to carry it forward for future generations.
Earlier this year, account manager Charlotte visited Notre Dame in Paris. Now fully re-opened after the devastating fire in 2019, it stands as a remarkable feat of collective craftsmanship. What struck her wasn’t just the scale of the work, but the commitment to rebuilding—not exactly as it was, but with care, skill, and intention. Whilst visiting Norte Dam, Charlotte pondered that sometimes, restoration isn’t enough. We need to recreate—to reinterpret—with the same spirit that first brought these places to life.
Over 200 craftspeople were involved in the project—stone carvers, gilders, carpenters, and stained glass artists—many of them at the beginning of their careers. The level of craftsmanship throughout was extraordinary.
‘I was struck by the brightness of the colours, the crisply painted details, and the considered choice to leave certain elements missing. These absences weren’t jarring—they had a kind of quiet presence, like a shadow or a memory left behind. In one of the side chapels, I noticed contemporary textile pieces hanging on the wall: thoughtful, modern, and entirely in keeping with the space. It reminded me that historic buildings don’t have to be stuck in time.’
Inspired by Lulu Lytle at a Leadership Design Network talk: we shouldn’t just preserve heritage, we should build upon it. At Humphries Weaving, this is what textile recreation means to us. It’s not simply copying old designs but breathing life back into them with sensitivity and purpose.
After the Fire
Sadly, we’ve seen first-hand the impact fire can have on historic interiors. In 1986, flames tore through Hampton Court Palace, destroying large areas of the building and damaging centuries of craftsmanship. Among the debris lay remnants of the original Canopy of State, still bearing fragments of the crimson silk damask.
In the months that followed, we worked closely with the team leading the restoration. This included redrawing the original 17th-century pattern and developing the now-famous “Canopy Crimson” with our colourist Brian Underwood. A new Jacquard harness was built specifically to recreate the canopy damask in time for the reopening.
Similarly, following the fire at Windsor Castle in 1992, we were commissioned to recreate the textiles for the State Apartments—everything from the Crimson Drawing Room to the Green and White Drawing Rooms. That work remains on display today, open to the public during the winter months.
Why Textiles Recreation Matters
These moments of loss are, of course, tragic. But they also present an opportunity: to look more closely, to document more carefully, and to ensure that heritage skills are kept alive. Textile recreation allows us to honour what has gone before while supporting the development of new craftspeople, new techniques, and new ways of working whilst ensuring that history is not wholeheartedly lost.
At Humphries Weaving, we see ourselves not just as a mill, but as custodians—collaborating with curators, conservators, and private clients to ensure that important historic designs are never lost to time.
What We Offer
If you have a historic interior or an antique textile—whether it’s damaged, in storage, or awaiting funding for restoration—we’re always happy to help.
We offer free site visits to record and study original fabrics, even if you’re not ready to install the final textiles yet. This means we can draw and recreate your design with complete accuracy, holding it safely in our archive until the time is right.
Notre Dame may not have had historic textiles to restore, but its story reminded her of the bigger picture. Fires, sadly, will happen. Buildings will always need care. But with thoughtful recreation, we can ensure the craftsmanship, colours, and character of the past continue to inspire long into the future.
Email us at fabrics@humphriesweaving.co.uk or use our Contact Us form to learn more about our historic work and one of our team will be in touch.
We also work on ecclesiastical projects for vestments, altar frontals and stoles.
