Frances van Hasselt's Mohair Practice at Craft Days in Warsaw
South African textile designer Frances van Hasselt presented her mohair practice at the inaugural Craft Days in Warsaw, held at Gawroński Villa. Her work, rooted in the Karoo desert ecosystem, traces mohair from rainfall to finished textile, emphasizing slow, women-led, and environmentally attuned making. Van Hasselt, raised on a family angora goat farm, collaborates with 15 women artisans, many single mothers, who hand-wash, sun-dry, spin, dye, and weave mohair. She critiques fashion's detachment from material origins and advocates for design education that prioritizes material literacy. Craft Days, launched by Visteria Foundation after Polish basketry's UNESCO inscription in 2025, is curated by Eleonora Bojanowska, Szymon Machnikowski, and Hanna Rydlewska, featuring an immersive labyrinth of textiles, ceramics, and glass.
Key facts
- Frances van Hasselt presented at the inaugural Craft Days in Warsaw.
- Craft Days took place at Gawroński Villa.
- Van Hasselt's practice focuses on mohair from the Karoo desert.
- South Africa produces about 60% of the world's mohair.
- Her studio employs 15 women, many single mothers.
- Van Hasselt studied politics, philosophy, economics, and international relations.
- She lived in Hong Kong and Japan before returning to the Karoo.
- Craft Days was launched by Visteria Foundation after Polish basketry's UNESCO inscription in 2025.
Entities
Artists
- Frances van Hasselt
- Sheila Hicks
- Ala Savashevich
Institutions
- Visteria Foundation
- Frances V.H Mohair
- UNESCO
Locations
- Warsaw
- Poland
- Karoo desert
- South Africa
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Gawroński Villa
- Al. Ujazdowskie 23, Warsaw