At i-did, we transform old company clothing and post-consumer textiles into new felt. We see waste not as an end, but as a beginning. Artist Iris Nijenhuis discovered the power of this material and developed it into innovative textile art. With her modular, tactile installations, she proves that conscious design and aesthetics go hand in hand.

Textile art with i-did felt: the work of Iris Nijenhuis

Iris exhibited her work with i-did felt at various leading events:

Dutch Design Week 2024 - TAKE PART

An interactive textile artwork where visitors actively contributed to a growing installation, based on themes such as social and local production. By asking visitors to choose 1 of 4 viewpoints and add a puzzle piece in that color to the installation, an intriguing object was created as well as a kind of 'visual statistic' that encompassed the opinions of the visitors.

Material District & BIG ART 2025

Here Iris presented the outcome of this 'visual statistic', which provided interesting information about the themes and from which she, as a maker, could draw her conclusions.

For BIG ART, she transformed the modular installation into a new, spatial composition that underscores the flexibility and scalability of her system.

Within the TAKE PART project, the collaboration with Abrona's day care center is central. Clients with intellectual disabilities are actively involved in the creation process in this collaboration, thereby making a meaningful contribution to high-quality design. With this project, Iris takes the next step in her practice: a targeted shift towards larger interior applications, where social impact and design quality come together. The goal is to realize sustainable collaborations and assignments where this inclusive working method forms a permanent part of the production process.

Carpet Diem Paris 2025

For Carpet Diem in Paris, Iris, together with an intern from the Industrial Design Engineering program, designed an artwork in a special new modular system. This monumental work, measuring 2 x 3.3 meters, combines responsible material use with innovative technology. For example, she used our i-did felt, combined with 3D knits from the deadstock collection of BYBORRE.

The new modular system consists of different shapes, which, as always, can be connected like a puzzle without needle and thread. And one of them was designed in 'tessellation', which means no residual material is left after laser cutting.

Broeinest Amsterdam

The work she exhibited in Paris can be seen until May in "The Showcase" at BROEINEST ADAM. An inspiring materials library for interior professionals.

Who is Iris Nijenhuis?

Iris Nijenhuis is an Amsterdam-based designer and maker who approaches textiles as a constructive and shaping system. Coming from a background in fashion and product design, she developed her own distinct technique where fabrics are laser-cut into modular elements that are assembled by hand without stitching or glue. This method forms the foundation of her practice and results in wearable and spatial structures that can be adapted, personalized, repaired, and reassembled. Each work arises from a labor-intensive, almost puzzle-like assembly process where material knowledge, precision, and craftsmanship come together.

Her wearable accessories are sold worldwide in concept stores and museum shops, among others, and are often developed as limited editions for specific exhibitions. Through DIY workshops, she teaches others to discover the possibilities of her playful modular technique.

Why designer Iris chooses i-did felt

For her 'wearables,' she is very much bound to specific types of textiles due to the technique. Sometimes she can upcycle them from discarded garments, but for her reproducible collection, she is bound to new textiles. With her new focus on interiors, this brings other material possibilities, and i-did felt is very well suited for this.

The material:

• Offers sturdiness and flexibility
• Has a rich, tactile appearance
• Is made from recycled textile
• Supports conscious and social design

This makes it a strong basis for installations, interior applications, and autonomous artworks.

“With i-did felt, I can scale up my modular way of working to interior applications, without compromising on material, appearance or production process. It is sturdy and flexible, has a rich tactility and aligns well with my focus on circular and social design,” says Iris Nijenhuis.

Discover the possibilities

Are you a designer, artist, or architect? Discover how i-did felt can enhance your project, from concept to realization: contact us.

© Photography: Atelier Iris Nijenhuis