It all started with a blanket. In 2013, Inga Manukyan was on the search for a beautifully knitted blanket for her home, visiting countless stores but never finding one she truly loved. That moment sparked a realization—Armenia lacked well-designed knitwear. What began as a personal frustration soon became a mission to fill that gap. Little did she know, this simple search would lead to something much bigger, the birth of Loom Weaving, a brand that would redefine Armenian knitwear.
A decade later, the runway at Yerevan Fashion Week 2024 is alive with movement and texture. Sharp silhouettes, intricate embroidery, and bold styling captivate the audience. Every seat is taken, and even those left standing seem unfazed, too captivated by the spectacle before them. For 15 minutes, the runway transforms into a living canvas of artistry and emotion. As the final model disappears backstage, a striking redhead steps forward—her presence as bold as the collection itself. With a graceful nod and tears in her eyes, Inga Manukyan, the founder of Loom Weaving, acknowledges the audience. This is more than just a show; it’s the culmination of years of vision, persistence and passion.
Founded in 2014, Loom Weaving sparked a quiet revolution in the Armenian fashion industry. More than just a knitwear brand, it became a force of artistic expression, creating pieces that embody movement, innovation and self-expression. Far from the traditional notion of knitwear as merely cozy and warm, Loom Weaving redefines it as stylish, edgy and bold.
Before Loom Weaving, no local brand had approached knitwear with the same artistic vision. Manukyan’s work challenged perceptions, proving that knitwear could be both innovative and fashion-forward. She surrounded herself with like-minded creatives who could bring her vision to life. What started with just one employee grew into a brand backed by a strong idea and the unwavering support of her family.
Inga’s love of fashion dates back to her childhood.”As far back as I can remember, I have always loved beautiful clothing,” she recalls. “I’ve always loved wearing nice things.” This passion led her to the Academy of Fine Arts where she didn’t study fashion design but rather textile design. Her journey into the industry began with her small atelier, where her vision took shape through the hands of her team.
Supported by friends who believed in her and customers drawn to her early designs, Loom Weaving took its first steps. Her family’s unwavering support helped turn the idea into reality. Like many creatives, Inga focused primarily on the artistic side, while her sister, Elen Manukyan, provided valuable business and communication insights from the design industry. Elen’s belief in her sister’s vision played a crucial role in shaping the brand in its early stages.
One of the most iconic pieces from those early days was a knitted cardigan with oversized sleeves and braided details. “When I walked through the city center, I would often see people wearing that particular design,” Inga recalls. “Even at a glance, I could immediately recognize my work, distinct from other brands’ attempts to recreate it.”
Her small atelier started with just 10 sewing machines. “I remember standing there, looking at them for a long time, unsure of where to begin,” she admits. But as Loom Weaving grew, so did her ambitions. Alongside her brand, she co-founded 5Concept, Armenia’s first multi-brand store, transforming shopping from Armenian designers into a cultural movement. While 5Concept challenged societal stereotypes about the limitations of the Armenian fashion scene, Loom Weaving redefined knitwear.
These two initiatives evolved hand in hand with another major milestone for Armenia’s fashion industry—the founding of the Fashion and Garment Chamber of Armenia in 2017. A nonprofit organization, it was established to support the country’s creative sector, and opened new doors for Armenian designers. That same year, Vahan Khachatryan, president of the Fashion and Garment Chamber, and co-founder Elen Manukyan, invited Inga and other Armenian designers to present their designs at Kyiv Fashion Week. With the high cost of participation, the Chamber’s initiative and network made it possible for Loom Weaving and other Armenian brands to take another bold step forward, bringing Armenian-found brands to an international stage.
The DNA of Loom designs is not about following fleeting trends but rather about telling stories through knitwear. The brand thrives on discovering new techniques and pushing the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship. While each piece is unique, a signature aesthetic ties them all together—oversized shapes, intricate details, and a sense of movement that transforms every design into wearable art. For Inga, it’s about the warmth each exudes. She explains that every piece is made by one to three atelier workers and “every stitch carries that energy and warmth.”
Inga’s designs do not conform to the traditional Armenian aesthetic often associated with ornaments and specific color palettes. Instead, the brand is rooted in craftsmanship and innovation, creating pieces that resonate with global standards while maintaining a uniquely Armenian essence. The true Armenian aspect of the brand lies in its people—the atelier workers whose talent and dedication represent the rich tradition and talents of Armenian craftsmanship.
“There is no piece in my collection created just to fulfill trends or market demand,” she explains. “Every design has a life and style of its own.” With each collection, she pushes the boundaries of knitwear, exploring new creative techniques and expanding Loom Weaving’s design language. Each piece of Loom Weaving is like an extension of Inga Manukyan herself, her bold character, style and vision.
Inga’s process doesn’t include sketching, something she says “limits” her. In fact, her well-structured pieces come to life without a precise plan. “There are always new ways a piece evolves, and sketching limits its potential,” she says, a reflection of her bold, free-spirited character.
During Yerevan Fashion Week 2024, her latest collection showcased a stunning interplay of textures and forms. A standout component was Frivolité (tatting)—a delicate, intricate lace-making technique that added an ethereal, handcrafted quality to the designs. Each piece was meticulously styled, encouraging wearers to explore the artistry of Loom Weaving in their own unique way.
However, crafting high-quality knitwear in Armenia comes with its challenges. Transforming inspiration into reality requires not just creativity but also access to premium materials, something that remains a significant obstacle for many local designers. The availability of yarns and textiles in Armenia is limited both in variety and accessibility. As a result, Inga sources most of her materials from Italy, ensuring the quality that defines her aesthetic but also increasing production costs. “Once you get used to a certain level of quality, it’s hard to settle for less,” she admits.
Despite these challenges, Manukyan remains committed to pushing the limits of her craft, proving that fashion rooted in craftsmanship and innovation can transcend borders while maintaining its soul.
For Inga Manukyan, the future of Loom Weaving is all about embracing new challenges. Whether it’s an international pop-up, another fashion week, or exploring new creative techniques, she is determined to push her brand beyond Armenia’s borders. Each step forward is a testament to her vision—turning knitwear into a statement of art, comfort, and innovation.
During Yerevan Fashion Week last year, an Italian fashion influencer was asked which designer had left the strongest impression. His answer was immediate: Loom Weaving. “I’ve watched her evolve over the past two years, and she has taken knitwear to an international level—standing out with authenticity and high-end craftsmanship.”
With this momentum, Manukyan envisions Loom Weaving continuing to push boundaries, redefining knitwear, defying expectations, and making its mark on the global fashion stage.
To be a fashion designer is to be an artist, one who weaves identity into every thread, shaping a vision that transcends fabric and form. Loom Weaving is more than a brand; it is innovation, movement and fearless creativity, wrapped in warmth and comfort. It challenges the idea of knitwear as purely practical, transforming it into an expressive art form.
In many ways, the brand mirrors Manukyan herself—bold yet thoughtful, unafraid to experiment, yet always grounded in authenticity. A red-haired designer with a quiet fire, who took a simple idea and turned it into a revolution in Armenian fashion.
