Rethinking textiles with the Hermès Foundation
In 2019, I was fortunate enough to be among the winners of the fourth edition of the Fondation Hermès program dedicated to exploring expertise. That year, the theme of textiles was in the spotlight. For a year, 23 of us professionals reflected on the future of textiles, under the educational direction of Matali Crasset.
The year was divided into two parts: the first was dedicated to a series of conferences led by experts to enrich our knowledge from a technical, historical, and cultural perspective. We also made numerous workshop visits and met with industry professionals. The second part was dedicated to a workshop led by Matali Crasset, a true reflection on the social and environmental impact of the textile industry, and especially the search for solutions to review our ways of producing and consuming.
Starting from a blank page
Like the name of the documentary about our adventure, “Le pas de côté,” Matali Crasset suggested that we begin our reflection on a completely blank slate, stripped of our influences and already known life models.
What are the needs of a human being? What characterizes them? What does it take to live and, above all, to flourish? From this global reflection, we have narrowed our focus to our textile specialty: why do we use materials, what do we produce with them?
By reflecting on our physical and psychological needs in this way, we come to understand what drives us to consume and produce. From there, we are ready to propose new ways of living in accordance with our needs and in harmony with our environment.
