Recreating fabrics of the past
- Franz is the world’s last weaver creating exact replicas of historical textiles
- He reinvents traditional techniques by analysing old fabrics
- A major part of his work is researching textile art history
Franz Ippoldt was born and raised in one of the most famous historic textile regions in Austria: Haslach/Mühlviertel. He trained in different weaving techniques in Salzburg, Vienna, and then at the Fondazione Lisio in Florence, where he subsequently became the technical director. On his 30th birthday he decided to serve the history of textiles by founding his company Soierie des Fantasques in France. Since then, he has been hand weaving reproductions of historical textiles. His workshop is considered one of the three best silk weaving workshops in the world. After 24 years in France, Franz now intends to move his studio back to Haslach in Austria and establish a European centre for the traditional weaving of silk, velvet, brocade and satin fabrics.
Interview
- Who are your main clients?
- I mainly work for public organisations, museums, castles, palaces and some aristocratic families, helping them restore their historical buildings. I’m often involved in weaving particularly sensitive and delicate fabrics with great historical and cultural significance.
- Has there been one especially memorable project?
- Honestly, I can say that every project is a milestone, because for every order I have to individually tailor the weaving process. Weaving the gold brocade for the State Bedroom of August the Strong in the City Castle in Dresden was special, because it took me 11 years to finish the fabric.
- Why are you moving back to Austria?
- Working in France opened my mind and I loved being located close to the former world capital of silk weaving – Lyon. But besides the good feeling of coming home to this textile region in Austria, there's also an abundance of motivated young people there, who are passionate about textiles.
- Do you make new products as well as reproductions?
- With my brand Jyotis Savoir Faire, I create lifestyle and home accessories by combining my precious, hand woven fabrics with other materials like leather or wood. I love the process of designing new objects – I've been lucky to learn from the best fashion designers while collaborating with them in the past.
Franz Ippoldt is a master artisan: he began his career in 1986 and he started teaching in 1992
Where
Franz Ippoldt
