This September, the finest concepts and products from a hand-picked collection of designers will be on display at Decorex International. A series of thought leadership sessions aim to inspire, inform and ignite debate, and there’s ample opportunity to connect with truly inspirational people.
Among the exhibitors will be Mourne Textiles, a woven clothing and accessories company founded by Norwegian weaver Gerd Bergersen in the 1940s. She began making tapestries aged just seventeen, but her personal design journey took her from her hometown of Trondheim to Oslo, England, India, and China. Her travels exposed Gerd to a variety of weaving traditions and techniques and greatly inspired her own designs. She even received a commission for handwoven rugs by the Palace of the Maharajah of Gwalior. Gerd and her British husband later moved to Ireland where Gerd began setting up a workshop, using a loom of her own design that was based on the looms she had seen in China. Gerd's rugs began to be exhibited at home and abroad: her work was featured at the Triennale di Milano in 1951 and the Festival of Britain.
A successful collaboration began between Gerd and Robin Day, who used Gerd's woven cloth as upholstery fabric for his furniture pieces. Gerd also collaborated with Terence Conran, Sybil Connolly, Sheila Mullally and Liberty in London, surprising the fashion and interior design worlds with her beautiful fabrics created in the Mourne Mountains.
Today, Mourne Textiles is a family-run business, as Gerd's descendants continue her legacy. Mario, Gerd's grandson, grew up among the looms and now leads the company. Having expanded beyond rugs and upholstery, Mourne Textiles now also produces clothing and accessories, still using many of Gerd's original fabric designs. Their beautiful monochrome scarves, for example, reflect the textures of the Mournes landscape in 100% Merino wool.
You can see examples of Mourne Textiles' products at the Decorex Exhibition this September. Other textiles exhibitors, including brands such as Vaughan Designs and Whiteworks, have also been chosen for their excellent craftsmanship and innovation.
Decorex International will take place from 16-19 September at Syon Park, London, UK.
