Mareike Lienau, aka LykCarpet, is a German textile designer whose handmade creations combine a contemporary aesthetic with traditional craftsmanship and a deep-rooted commitment to social responsibility. Working between Berlin and Kathmandu, she utilizes textile design as a medium to explore human relationships, cultural exchange, and the political significance of sustainable production.
Mareike Lienau’s Sustainable Materials and Contemporary Craft
Mareike Lienau’s distinctive approach centers on hand-loom weaving using natural, eco-friendly materials, including hemp, raw silk, wool, and organic cotton. Her handcrafted pieces—sculptural poufs, handwoven rugs, and tactile wall hangings—are produced in close collaboration with local artisans, many of whom are women.
Rather than industrial replication, each object tells a story of individuality and skilled labor. This personal and respectful relationship with collaborators is at the heart of her work: every design is a reflection of shared time, knowledge, and human connection.
Lienau Objekt: A Studio of Slow Design
In 2013, she founded Lienau Objekt, a creative studio that explores textiles as a poetic and tactile medium. Her collections embody a minimalist yet warm aesthetic—organic forms, earthy tones, and textures that invite viewers to pause and engage through touch.
From poufs and rugs to three-dimensional woven sculptures, her pieces merge form and function. They are at once objects of beauty and carriers of meaning, born from a process that honors slowness, imperfection, and the trace of the human hand.
The Social Weaving Project: Design for Empowerment
One of Lienau’s most meaningful initiatives is The Social Weaving Project, a long-term collaboration with artisan communities in Nepal. By reinterpreting traditional weaving techniques with a modern sensibility, the project not only supports local economies but also amplifies the voices of marginalized craftspeople, particularly women.
This ongoing exchange is not about charity, but about empowerment through co-creation. It redefines design as a tool for building bridges across cultures. It supports livelihoods, and preserves ancestral skills within a contemporary context.
Design as a Conscious Act
Mareike Lienau’s work has been exhibited internationally, from design fairs to galleries, always maintaining an ethical core. Her artistic vision stands as a potent reminder that design is never just about objects—it’s about the stories they carry, the people behind them and the values they reflect.
Beauty, responsibility, and humanity create impeccable weaves. Through every thread and fiber, Lienau invites us to reimagine textiles as a medium for transformation.
