Makers in the Lab 2021 - 2026
The TextileLab is a space open to all—a place where creativity, experimentation, and collaboration thrive. Since 2021, we have welcomed a diverse range of makers, artists, and thinkers, each bringing their unique ideas and projects to the lab:
Individual Projects
Andrea ÓsK
Worked with the Tc2 digital Loom in 2002 to create textiles for bridal Wear. Likely the First wedding Dress Woven in Iceland in Decades!
HALLA ÁRMANNSDÓTTIR
The first maker to use the digital knitting machine Kniterate, Halla Ármannsdóttir developed a new shawl design for display at DesignMarch 2023. She returned in 2024 and 2025 to continue experimenting with the felt loom and Kniterate.
HANNA DÍS WHITEHEAD
Hanna Dís Whitehead’s work in the TextileLab began with research into local materials, focusing on the combination of straw and wool. The project resulted in the exhibition Blíður Ljómi presented at DesignMarch 2023, where she showcased the results of her material experiments.
Since then, Hanna has returned regularly to the TextileLab to continue developing new projects, mainly working with felt and exploring different techniques, tools, and possibilities: www.hannawhitehead.com // www.instagram.com/studiohannawhitehead
JULÍANNA ÓSK HAFBERG
Júlíanna experimented with the felt loom, laser cutter, and digital embroidery machine during her time in the TextileLab in 2022. The resulting work was later presented in her Reykjavík studio.
KAMILLA HENRIAU
„Áseta“: Kamilla researched horsehair and wool as sustainable alternatives to plastic sponges, exploring the potential of natural fibres for everyday applications. The project was supported by the Rannís Student Innovation Fund in 2022.
TUMI B. VALDIMARSSON
„Furnature“: A project exploring biodegradable alternatives for tree protection through the use of discarded wool. Tumi's work investigates how wool waste can be transformed into a functional, natural material that supports tree growth while offering an alternative to synthetic solutions. Developed as a final project at the Iceland University of the Arts in 2026.
VALGERÐUR B. JÓNSDÓTTIR
„Fundið fé“ (Golden Fleece): Final project in the Product Design program at the Iceland University of the Arts, developed in 2023 in collaboration with the Textile Center. The project explores the potential of Icelandic wool as a valuable and versatile material, focusing on new approaches to working with wool and its possibilities within contemporary product design.
Collaborations & Groups
BOSK & SÓL
Bosk & Sól (Berglind Ósk & Sól) used the TextileLab in 2021 for their project Þráðhyggja and a clothing line made from recycled felted cleaning cloths. The project was supported by the Student Innovation Fund and the Design Fund, in collaboration with the Iceland University of the Arts and the Textile Center. The Icelandic Red Cross provided textiles from their clothing collections. Watch the video here.
INTELLIGENT INSTRUMENTS LAB
The Reykjavík-based lab visited in 2023 and explored e-textiles to create an interactive, textile, and musical installation.
MUNK LOUA
The Copenhagen-based duo MunkLoua came to Iceland in 2023 and used leftover textiles to develop new sustainable designs on the felt loom.
STUDIO FLÉTTA & ÝR JÓHANNESDÓTTIR
“Felt” is an ongoing collaboration between Reykjavík-based design studio Flétta and textile designer Ýrúrarí, exploring what can be created from textile leftovers. Using offcuts from Icelandic knitting factories and donated garments from the Red Cross, Birta Rós Brynjólfsdóttir, Hrefna Sigurðardóttir, and Ýr Jóhannsdóttir experimented with the felt loom at the TextileLab, transforming discarded knitwear into colourful felted forms in all shapes and sizes.
Following their work at the TextileLab in 2022, the collaboration evolved into “Pizzatime” at DesignMarch 2023 - a playful exhibition and five-day performance where visitors could “order” freshly made wool pizzas, created on-site from leftover knits using the felt loom. The project received the Icelandic Design Award in 2023.
TEXTÍLBARINN
HLYJASAUNA
Fjölbrautaskólinn í Garðabæ students Halla Stella Sveinbjörnsdóttir, Hugi Þór Jónsson, Logi Steinn Gunnarsson, Nói Baldur Auðunsson, Sæþór Berg Hjálmarsson participated in the international program Ungir frumkvöðlar. Using the digital embroidery machine and felt loom in our TextileLab in February 2026, they transformed carded wool from Ístex into large felted wool sheets to create sauna hats, available under the brand Hlyjasauna.
Fabricademy Students (Sept 2022 – Apr 2023)
Alberte Bojesen
Final project: Seaweed Dialogues - explored seaweed for biotextiles. Nominated for the Distributed Design Awards.
Alice Sowa
Final project: Glacial Bio Pottery - used food waste (egg shells, ash) for ceramics.
Emma Shannon
Final project: Hearty Party - heart health, e-textiles, and wearables.
Margrét Katrín Guttormsdóttir
Final project: Moving Shapes- captured the fluidity of dance movements.
Studio FLétta & ÝrÚRAri VALGERÐUR B. JÓNSDÓTTIR Hanna Dís Whitehead