Hermine Van Dijck
Textile Designer, Antwerp
Hermine is perpetually adrift between dreams and poetry, and the locales of Antwerp and the small Belgian village of Brecht. As a young girl, weaving fascinated her, and remains a passion she still pursues today. At the present time, fashion and interior design are the two realms that inspire her rich imagination most. Hermine has also created a project focused on surprising strangers through kindness: She spreads inspirational notes throughout public spaces, often attaching them to random bicycles.
Your idea of happiness?
Doing what you love to do. Being happy when every day starts.
Your idea of misery?
War.
If not yourself, who would you be?
A cat.
Your heroes?
Sheila Hicks, Hella Jongerius, my weaving teacher and my parents.
What is your present state of mind?
Happy.
Bedside table books?
Sheila Hicks. A book about a famous weaver by Irma Boom.
What do you do if you can’t sleep at night?
Often, just overthinking things. If not, drink tea, read a book, listen to music or get up to work.
Do you collect anything?
Yes. Letters, weaving looms, yarns, beautiful paper and objects. And not to forget, coffee memories.
What is the strangest thing you believed in as a child?
Little humans living in trees within the park close to my home.
Favorite colors?
Blue of fresh morning skies. Pink of spring blossoms. And lava orange.
Favorite city?
Paris is by far my favorite. After seeing the movie “Amélie” when I was 15, I fell in love with the city. A year ago, I lived in Paris to do an internship at a weaving company. All of this makes me love the city even more.
What are you plans for this weekend?
Taking trains, eating a Moroccan pancake with olives and feta cheese at the local market in Antwerp, going to the Antwerp Zoo, visiting my family, playing games in the garden, walking around the city with my love and drinking some good coffee.
Favorite song?
“Gnossiennes No. 1” and “Gnossiennes No. 3” by Erik Satie.
Right or left-handed?
Right-handed, but trying to be left-handed too
What is the best dish you can cook?
Chocolate chip cookies.
What is your middle name?
Virginie.
What do you do in your free time?
Drinking coffee and riding my bike around in the city.
I also love to dance and play ping-pong!