Some time ago, a group of retired milliners—who had produced many fur hats in the 1980s—approached Saar Snoek with a question: could their leftover fur be repurposed in an ethical way? Simply discarding these beautiful skins felt deeply disrespectful, not to mention problematic due to the chemical waste they represent, being full of chromium and other toxins. In response, Saar initially created bold, activist fur hats that gave a voice to the animals themselves—but each time the materials were handled, the weight of suffering was undeniable. This led to the development of a true alternative to fur, as plastic-based faux fur also fails to offer a sustainable solution.
In this workshop, participants will create a small, wearable accessory using a “no-kill” alpaca fur technique on a textile backing.
They will learn:
– How to select and recognize high-quality alpaca fleece and identify the usable sections
– The fundamentals of the wet felting technique for crafting fur-like textures
– Aftercare techniques including detangling, brushing, trimming, shaping, and styling
Saar Snoek
Saar Snoek works as a hat maker and felt maker in Groningen. She combines traditional millinery techniques with innovative felt-making methods, letting the properties of the material take the lead. Her organic, wearable objects have received international recognition, won awards, and been included in museum collections. In addition, she teaches international masterclasses in sculptural felt making.