Ian Krebs Named Winner of the Arts Thread 2025 Textiles Knit/Weave Award for Groundbreaking Jersey Innovation
London 2025 – Ian Krebs, a Master’s graduate from the Swedish School of Textiles, has been announced as the winner of the prestigious Arts Thread 2025 Textiles Knit/Weave Award.
Recognised for a forward-thinking approach that marries traditional craftsmanship with digital technology, Krebs’ winning project challenges the fashion industry’s perception of standard materials by reimagining jersey as a dynamic, sculptural medium.
The award-winning project investigates the latent potential of machine-made tubular knits, transforming a fabric typically regarded as utilitarian and plain into complex, expressive garments.
By utilising circular knit techniques, Krebs explores how layering, wrapping, and sculpting fabric directly on the body can create form without adhering to conventional garment structures.
This method represents a significant shift in textile construction, moving away from wasteful production lines toward a model of thoughtful, sustainable transformation.
Central to this innovative collection is the concept of the seamless tube, which is manipulated through pleating, hand gathering, and experimentation with transparency.
The resulting garments are intentionally open-ended, lacking a fixed front, back, inside, or outside, thereby inviting interaction and individual styling.
This design philosophy not only pushes the boundaries of traditional knitwear aesthetics but also addresses the urgent industry need for longevity and versatility in garment lifecycles.
Krebs’ multidisciplinary process combines knitting with printing, dyeing, and pleating.
The work utilises cotton and viscose for their responsiveness to colour during space dyeing, alongside synthetic fibres that preserve devoré effects.
By focusing on industrially standardised fabrics like single jersey, the project demonstrates that ecological responsibility does not require a sacrifice of aesthetic complexity. Instead, it proves that subtle, intentional manipulations can radically transform structure and surface, echoing the complexity of natural forms.
Digital tools played a pivotal role in the development of the collection, particularly in garment prototyping. This integration of emerging technologies with hand-operated machinery allows for greater design precision and efficiency, highlighting a viable path forward for sustainable textile production.
About Ian Krebs
Ian Krebs is a textile designer and Master’s graduate from the Swedish School of Textiles, specialising in knitting and circular techniques.
His practice is defined by a commitment to experimentation, material innovation, and sustainability.
By bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship—using hand-operated knitting machines as sketching tools—and advanced digital prototyping, Krebs seeks to expand the creative possibilities available to modern textile designers.
His work consistently explores new aesthetics and construction methods that challenge the status quo of the fashion industry.
About Arts Thread
Arts Thread is the world’s leading digital platform connecting emerging creatives with industry professionals, institutions, and opportunities that shape creative careers.
Dedicated to fostering talent, developing ethical practices, and driving sustainability in design, Arts Thread serves as an essential resource for young creatives navigating today’s competitive industries.
