Northern Threads brings summer styles to Titanic Belfast

Belfast has long been recognised for its creativity, craftsmanship and warm hospitality, making it one of the UK and Ireland’s most exciting city break destinations. At the heart of the city’s cultural and tourism offering is Titanic Belfast, an award-winning visitor attraction that continues to welcome guests from around the world to discover one of history’s most enduring stories.

Northern Threads

Visitors this summer have an extra reason to linger with the launch of their annual exhibition. This year sees the introduction of Titanic Belfast Curates…Northern Threads, a celebration of style, creativity and contemporary design in NI.

Each brings a distinctive approach, spanning sculptural knitwear, contemporary linen, narrative textiles and handcrafted accessories. Together, their work reflects a creative scene that is confident, evolving and increasingly visible on a global stage, while remaining grounded in Northern Ireland’s landscape, culture and craft traditions.

Woven throughout the exhibition are threads of Northern Ireland’s rich textile heritage, offering context to the materials and influences that continue to shape design today. 

The exhibition will also feature Una Rodden, a prominent Belfast-based designer, known for her bespoke, couture clothing, along with her Tribe collective, who will be designers-in-residence.

Visitors can also view an innovative Threadlab research piece showcased in the exhibition, which explores the traditional and digital fashion development, from Ulster University lecturers Dean Liggett and Grainne Taylor. 

About the designers…

Sara O’Neill, founder of Éadach, uses fashion as a form of storytelling. Raised in Portrush, her work is inspired by music, subculture, mythology and coastal landscapes, creating hand-drawn prints on silk, linen and natural fibres, bringing Irish stories to a global audience.

Amy Anderson founded Kindred of Ireland after discovering a photo of her grandmother spinning linen in a mill in Moygashel, inspiring a reconnection with lost textile traditions. The brand reimagines Irish linen for a modern wardrobe, working with family-run mills and local seamstresses. 

Gráinne Maher is a Belfast-born designer known for combining traditional craftsmanship with a rebellious, avant-garde style. She moved from music into millinery, creating bold contemporary headpieces that challenge traditional occasion wear and has expanded into leather goods.

Hope Macaulay creates bold, colourful, sculptural knitwear inspired by the landscapes of Northern Ireland’s North Coast. Taught to knit by her grandmother, she has built her globally recognised, family-run label. Her pieces celebrate craftsmanship, community and the reinvention of tradition.

Singing Threads 

In addition, a new installation called Singing Threads has recently been installed in Titanic Belfast’s Grand Atrium and is free for visitors to view.  

This is a large-scale textile installation by Irish artist Eimear Magee. Rooted in research, memory and material, the work explores the human stories embedded within Ulster’s linen industry, bringing together cloth, sound and storytelling to create a contemporary response to a fading heritage. Available to view in the Grand Atrium until the end of September. 

Explore Northern Ireland 

Titanic Belfast is just a short walk from Belfast city centre, where visitors will find a number of cultural hubs, including the Botanic Gardens, a beautiful free space for the public to walk around and relax, and St George's market, known for local artisan crafts, live music and a vibrant atmosphere. Belfast also offers an abundance of restaurants, cafes and shops to explore.

For further information on Titanic Belfast Curates… Northern Threads and to find out more about other events, head to www.titanicbelfast.com