During her travels to Iran, Belgian born, Yvonne Antoine fell in love with the ancient craft of hand-weaving. It was upon settling in Cape Town in the late 1970’s that she decided to live her passion and establish Antoine Persian Carpets, a restoration studio for all hand-woven carpets and tapestries.
The studio soon became synonymous with quality and has recently been working with rugs from the Groote Schuur Estate, Vergelegen, Anglo American’s Ravenswood House as well as the collections of the Nederburg and La Motte wine estates.
Twenty-five years later in January 2005, Pierre Antoine, who shares in his mother’s love for all things textile, and who has by that time taken over the business, decided to establish Fibre Designs, a studio that offers innovative and bespoke hand-woven floorware.
PIERRE ANTOINE
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Belgian Congo), photographer and adventurer, Pierre is the first South AFrican to present a range of hand-knotted bast fibre rugs at Domotex, the world’s largest rug fair hosted in Hanover, Germany.
obtained his qualification in management studies in Brussels, Belgium. After completing his studies he has gone to work in many famous hotels around the world. But his love for textiles was too inter-woven into his being…
Rug designer, Pierre Antoine’s contemporary hand-woven floorware is gracing the floors of some of the world’s most exclusive destinations and private residences.
Furthermore, Fibre Designs is the only truly bespoke hand-knotted floorware provider on the African continent.
Pierre completed his management studies in Brussels, Belgium, after which he had the opportunity to work in many famous hotels around the world. But his love for textiles brought him back to Africa, where he was born. He joined Antoine Persian Carpets Restoration and Cleaning studio in Cape Town, a venture started by his mother which later came to take care of many famous carpet collections, such as those of Iziko’s South African Cultural History and Groote Schuur Museums as well as the renowned Boschendal, Muratie, Nederburg, Rustenburg and Vergelegen estates.
His singular skill-set as weaver, textile conservator and rug designer is grounded in the heritage of Antoine Persian Carpets; “I was exposed to textiles from a very young age. My parents’ interest in the field actually led them to travel quite extensively in Iran together with the nomads to learn more about their craft. This led to my Mom setting up a restoration studio in Cape Town in the late 70’s. And I decided to join. But with time I realized there was a niche in our market for custom-woven contemporary pieces. I therefore decided to draw on my knowledge of weaving and now design and create unique contemporary collections” explains Pierre.
Pierre has been commissioned by ABC New York, the world’s largest retailer of rugs, as well as by Takor (Spain), Merida Meridian (USA) and Casa Julio Tapestes (Brazil). Other corporate commissions include Anglo American’s prestigious Ravenswood Manor (Cape Town). Antoine’s knowledge of rugs are also well sought after by Sotheby’s and Christie’s for whom he often consults.
His talent for design coupled with a specialist technical understanding of hand-woven textiles, positions Pierre as uniquely qualified to deliver products of distinct quality and beauty. Today Fibre Designs is a creative haven for home owners, interior designers and architects.
