Craftsmanship news and archive

South African mohair: production, traceability and industry challenges

Graaff-Reinet (South Africa) - The Karoo, a vast South African semi-desert, is criss-crossed by dirt tracks. These paths lead to several centuries-old farms where angora goats graze, raised for their mohair. The country accounts for over half of the world's production of this natural fibre. Steel blades of pumping windmills are the only things...

Fashion

In Bangladesh, Tangail's sari weaving art hangs by a thread

Tangail (Bangladesh) - Despite its recent official recognition by Unesco, the centuries-old art of Tangail sari weaving is struggling in Bangladesh. It is threatened by the relentless evolution of fashion and economic competition. In his workshop in the town that gave its name to the craft, Ajit Kumar Roy holds little hope for the future of the...

Featured

Fashion |In Pictures

SPFW N60 celebrates 30 years by championing Brazilian identity

On October 20, the 30th anniversary edition of São Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW) concluded with the Lino Villaventura show at the Pavilhão das Culturas Brasileiras in Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo. The venue, nicknamed PACUBRA, shared the spotlight with the Iguatemi Shopping theatre and several historic locations. These included the Mário de Andrade...

Featured

Fashion |FEATURE

How the Netherlands revived its education of craft tailoring

Back in 2011, the Dutch National Opera & Ballet had a problem: it couldn’t find any local talent when looking for high-quality tailors. This realisation gave birth to Meesteropleiding Coupeur, a private school with a goal to revive the craft of tailoring. And so far it looks like it’s been successful, with past graduates having worked with Dutch...