The future of carpet design: Who and what to watch in sustainable textiles
More sustainable principles are emerging in the flooring industry – but what innovative techniques are being developed, and who are the people harnessing them?
As the flooring industry adopts more conscious design principles, innovative techniques and materials are showing up in showrooms and design houses. We explore some of the techniques being pioneered in textiles that could impact the flooring industry as we move towards a more sustainable future – as well as the ones to watch from the next generation of designers and creators.
Natural Dyes
Dyes that use less water, fewer harmful chemicals and natural or renewable materials are not new. However, the question of how natural dyes can be sustainably extracted and used to produce desirable colours is being met head on by the next generation of designers.
Graduates like Joanne O’Rourke and Jess Kirkpatrick’s work showcases how natural dyes can be used to create vibrant and beautiful fabrics. Their practises include waterless dyeing and digital printing – weaving sustainability into the heart of their works.
As the industry nurtures innovation, natural dyes could appear more often across a wider range of products.
Waste-Minimising Techniques
The use of natural materials can help to encourage more circular practises – helping to return vital nutrients back to the earth.
Furthermore, materials that can be recovered from waste naturally harbour a history, creating something new from an existing material.
Scarlett Farrer, a recent Green Grad, weaves alpaca and sheep wool to create beautiful, natural fabrics that can be composted at the end of their lifecycle. Other creators, like Jaimie Cura grab waste by the horns to establish its potential as a vital resource, creating new and unique pieces from fabric waste that are infused with storied narratives.
Innovative materials
When we think of true sustainability, we imagine incredible creations from unlikely materials.
Using natural materials – perhaps not always seen as textile-worthy – is where some creators are advancing.
Sofia Barbé makes use of coconut coir, wool and other natural fibres to create pieces laden with personality, as well as exploring ‘growing’ fibres from mycelium. Other creators, such as Yhavi Duggal, are exploring the use of bio-fibres from materials like eggshells and banana peel – using them to create beautiful textiles.
Natural material carpets, like Coir, Jute, Wool, Sisal and Seagrass also benefit from the ability to filter the air from harmful VOCs, providing a naturally-derived way to create serene spaces in the home.
Choosing for the future – what to look for
For those looking to explore more sustainable textures and materials in flooring, there are a few considerations:
- Natural materials: Carpets made from Wool, Sisal, Jute, Seagrass or combinations of natural materials like Sisool benefit from being a natural resource that can help to filter the air.
- Brand ethos: Engage with designers and brands who prioritise sustainable practises, materials or principles
- Innovation and creation: Seek out materials and products that centre innovation and harbour a sense of creativity in their material choices
- Sustainable practises: Explore flooring that adopts more sustainable or circular practises. This could be through choice of materials, manufacturing processes, design approaches, or across the whole supply chain.
The next generation of designers
In recognition of the future of conscious design within the industry, Crucial Trading will hose Talking Textiles – an exhibition of works by six selected Green Grads at our showroom in the Design Centre, Chealsea Harbour from 25th to the 28th February. Established in 2021 by renowned journalist and photographer Barbara Chandler, Green Grads is a unique platform to support new graduates whose final projects in some way address a broad array of sustainability issues. Crucial Trading’s long-term sponsorship of the program allows for greater support for the next generation of designers and perfectly aligns with our own back-to-naturals ethos.
Each aforementioned graduate will be available by appointment, as well as showcasing their extraordinary work at the cutting edge of sustainable textile design. Please contact emilly.taylor@hfdtamworth.com to book an appointment with a graduate.
