Since Romania’s accession to the European Union, the textile industry has experienced significant changes. Historically, large state-owned factories were central to Timișoara’s economy and community life, shaping entire neighbourhoods and livelihoods. However, with increased EU-wide competition, mass production has declined. Today, while the industry is less visible, it is far from obsolete. Smaller, more flexible manufacturing systems have emerged, deeply interconnected with sectors such as automotive, chemicals, and agriculture. Textiles are no longer limited to traditional apparel or home categories but are now integral to more complex products and export chains.
`Woven Secrets` traces the fragmentations and transformations of Timișoara’s textile industry, revealing the overlooked design behind the city’s economic and social evolution. Part of FABER’s ongoing Design Signals research programme, which investigates the design ecosystem of Timișoara, the exhibition commissioned the research report ‘Shifts in Global Textile Markets: Romania's Role in the Global Value Chain from 1962 to 2022’. It showcases Romanian designers—partly selected through an open call—who have collaborated with local experts, producers, and manufacturers to develop work that presents prompts for reimagining the future production in the city.