The Interactive Experience "Rīgas Audums"

Hundreds of “Rīgas audums” printed fabric patterns give us an idea about the fashion, leading art styles, technological development of the time, and tell us about textile artists’.

"Rīgas audums" silk fabric sample book (1920/1930) by «Rīgas audums»Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

About the project

In 2009, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design (MDAD) received an outstanding gift consisting of several “Rīgas audums” large size pattern books clad in brown cloth covers. 

"Rīgas audums" silk fabric sample book (1920/1930) by "Rīgas audums"Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

About "Rīgas Audums" factory

“Rīgas audums” textile factory is one of the most recognizable names in the industrial history of Latvia. In the interwar period, Roberts Hiršsʼ owned company was a flourishing silk weaving and printing enterprise. 

"Rīgas audums" fabric sample by "Rīgas audums"Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

About "Rīgas Audums" factory

After the Second World War, it was nationalized and until its closure in the 1990s it operated under the Ministry of Light Industry of the Latvian SSR.

"Rīgas audums" fabric sampleb by "Rīgas audums"Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

Leading brand of fashion

In its first ten years, “Rīgas audums” became the leading brand in the fashion space of Latvia and the local ambassador of Paris vogue.

"Rīgas audums" fabric sample book by "Rīgas audums"Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

Eye-catching designs

Designed by artists and decorators, the company’s eye-catching display windows with live models acted like a magnet dragging Riga shoppers and passers-by back to his store.

"Rīgas audums" fabric sample book by "Rīgas audums"Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

Unique fabrics

During Soviet times, the factory collaborated with the fashion house “Rīgas modeļu nams”, and its designers created unique fabrics for the new collections.

"Rīgas audums" fabric sample book by "Rīgas audums"Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

“The blossoming factory”

“Rīgas audums” was known as “the blossoming factory” due to its greenhouse farming. Traditionally, delicious grapes were grown for festivities, and even in Soviet times flowering plants were blooming there.

"Rīgas audums" fabric sample book by "Rīgas audums"Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

"Rīgas audums" prints

Roses, poppies, daisies.
Geishas, jazz and space. In the course of the time “Rīgas audums” prints and patterns designed by artists experienced changes.

"Rīgas audums" silk fabric sample book (1920/1930) by "Rīgas audums"Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

Latvian textile artists

There was a professional artist behind every novelty print or pattern. In the 1960s and 70s, under the guidance of Jevgēnija Knāviņa, a lot of patterns were designed by professional Latvian textile artists – Ērika Iltnere, Ilona Ceipe, Aina Muze, Ilma Austriņa, Ieva Zaļkalne etc

Interactive experienceMuseum of Decorative Arts and Design

The interactive screen

In cooperation with the company Vividly, part of printed patterns are digitalized for the “Rīgas audums” project to share information about our textile design history and make it today visible to everyone.

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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