Co-creation with Aleksandra Gaca: Award-Winning Design Meets Bold Textiles

Aleksandra Gaca is a textile designer who has gained international recognition for her innovative fabric and textile design approach. She has been working in the industry for 25 years, creating three-dimensional woven textile constructions that sit at the intersection of art, design, and architecture. Her work is characterized by bold geometric patterns and a focus on sustainable materials and production methods. Her award-winning, unique textile designs are used in a variety of applications, from workspaces and residential interiors to home accessories.

____

We love your creative eye! Can you walk us through your creative process when approaching a new texture design?

When I’m starting a new project, I like to begin with designing patterns and sketches either on paper or directly on the computer. Depending on the final application, I select suitable yarns …. I explore them properties and experiment with different bindings, to create new shapes and constructions.

I usually start this process in my studio on a my 24-shaft dobby handloom. Then, I move onto industrial looms, mostly jacquard looms, that offer more possibilities in creating patterns. I test different bindings and constructions with my designed patterns to create final fabrics.

Most of my projects are developed and realized in the TextielLab at the Textile Museum in Tilburg. For larger projects, I collaborate with weaving mills in Europe.

Where do you find inspiration for your textile designs?

I find inspiration in geometric and abstract shapes in architecture, and patterns found in nature. When I’m creating these textiles, my main focus is on developing designs that offer sensory experiences, just like the way nature does. I want to create fabrics that are not just visually a-ppealing but also offer a tactile and even auditory experience, all contributing to a better living and working environment.

I truly believe that textiles play an important role in our lives. They can have a positive effect on our emotions, provide a sense of security and comfort. They’re soft, warm, and even help to soften sounds. And, when combined with visual aesthetics, they allow us to create comfortable environments that we love spending time in.

As sustainability has become a crucial aspect of product design, can you explain your approach to incorporating sustainability into your design process?

Sustainability is important in my design process and I’m constantly exploring new ways to create environmentally friendly textiles.

I work with large variety of different yarns and choose suppliers who use responsible production methods, including the use of recycled materials. Depending on the final application, I work for example a lot with natural materials such as wool or organic yarn, but I also incorporate recycled yarn, made from post-consumer polyester or cotton. In fact, for my upcoming presentation in Milan, I’m using a combination of recycled trevira cs, recycled mohair, and my own rest yarns.

Let’s talk about our collaboration for Salone 2023! What does this collaboration with Philips MyCreation mean to you?

Working with Philips MyCreation provides an excellent opportunity to incorporate my texture design into products that will be used on a daily basis – lighting.

I’m particularly excited about combining3D weaving and 3Dprinting technology.

We can easily print my texture designs onto various shapes of luminaires, as well as varied materials and colours.

I believe that our collaboration will result in a truly special lighting product that is both beautiful and environmentally responsible. Together, we can show that design can be both aesthetically pleasing and socially conscious.

Can you provide some insight into your future plans and aspirations?

In terms of my plans for the future, I’m really excited about doing more interdisciplinary projects. I want to focus on creating new materials that have unique properties, which can be applied across a range of fields.

I’m constantly working on developing my fabrics and finding new ways to solve research questions and challenges that arise. One area that really interests me is exploring the potential of weaving technology to create innovative textile constructions that make our spaces more functional, healthy, and enjoyable. And this isn’t just limited to architecture It also includes other fields, for example the automotive industry, and personal accessories like shoes and bags.

Innovation never stops. The potential of textiles as a material for a better world is immense. By fostering innovation and collaboration with experts in the field, we can push boundaries and create a more sustainable future for everyone.

_____