FROM FARM TO FABRIC
To celebrate Hasina’s 30th birthday, we traveled to the charming town of Franschhoek, just outside Cape Town. After venturing into the wine lands, we spent an afternoon shopping around town, when we stumbled upon some stunning mohair jackets that took our breath away. We needed to know everything about them. We learned that these jackets are more than just a statement piece, they are a total reinvention of a traditional industry.
Frances van Hasselt is a pioneering textile designer, entrepreneur, and the founder of FRANCES V.H Mohair. Based in South Africa, Frances dedicates her work to crafting stunning mohair textiles, working closely with a talented team of women artisans. Her journey is deeply rooted in passion, sustainability, and a profound connection to the natural world, especially the Karoo desert, her childhood home. Growing up on a mohair farm in the Karoo desert gave Frances a unique appreciation for this luxurious natural fiber. Coupled with hands-on experience in textile hubs like Japan and Italy, Frances has a wealth of knowledge and skills that fuel her craft. Frances' entrepreneurial journey began with a mission to elevate mohair's global status and establish a sustainable, circular supply chain for this extraordinary fiber. With South Africa producing up to 60% of the world's mohair, Frances saw an opportunity to shift from exporting raw material to creating high-quality, locally-made products that celebrate African heritage. Her commitment to this vision earned her the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship.
Nature, particularly the Karoo, is the heart of Frances' inspiration. "The perfection of nature’s effortless composition, tactility, and coloring is consistently the greatest and most humbling teacher," she reflects. In her studio, Frances and her team embrace creativity, experimenting with colors, textures, shapes, and stitch lines. Their fabrics aim to capture the spirit of the Karoo, mirroring its expansive horizons and intricate details in every weave.
The concept of ‘Farm to Fabric’ is integral to Frances' philosophy. "We feel strongly that a sustainable, circular economy does not start in factories; the process starts with rain, the delicate ecosystem of the plant life, the quality of the ground, the role of herdsmen and the importance of healthy animals to produce quality mohair," she shares with us. This comprehensive understanding promotes a respect for the interconnectedness of nature and craftsmanship, driving more sustainable and mindful production practices.
The women artisans in Frances' studio are the heartbeat of her brand. Their remarkable skills, combined with their humor, kindness, and generosity, inspire Frances every day. She is committed to highlighting their contributions, ensuring they receive recognition alongside the brand. Each fabric piece tells a story of rain, plants, land, animals, herdsmen, and the artists themselves, celebrating the collective effort behind every creation.
We feel FRANCES V.H Mohair is distinguished by its commitment to preserving the natural integrity of mohair. The fiber is hand-washed, sun-dried, and hand-spun, ensuring it remains true to its origin and character. This process gives each piece a unique rawness and personality that can't be replicated. Frances observes, "As each strand of mohair is fed into the spinning wheel, it captures the mood of the maker. We can tell in the studio who’s yarn is who’s and whether that spinner is having a good or bad day."
Frances is dedicated to recognizing the vital role of every individual in the textile supply chain, from herdsmen to artisans. Her brand focuses on transparency and environmental respect, creating pieces that are raw, honest, and true to their origins. She believes that educating consumers about the processes behind their textiles is essential for appreciating their true value. "Value comes from educating on the ecosystem that we choose to buy into, not buy from," Frances emphasizes.
