EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH US!
ATW80Fabrics announces wild experiential learning - biophilic adventures connecting humans, textiles, and the natural world.
Come journey with us and become part of the materials revolution!
We will meet exceptional makers, explore incredible ecosystems, and dive into rich cultures all across the globe.
Nomads and Fibers of the Steppes
MONGOLIA | Aug 9-19th
Do you love the wild and do you love to learn and craft with women? This is a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience to learn felting from Mongolian women, experience nomadic life on the steppes living in yurts called ghers; plunging deeply into the ecology and lifestyle of nomads through the extraordinary heritage of felt. At ATW80F, we look to celebrate fossil fuel-free fabrics. Exploring felt on the steppes, we learn about steppe soil, the ecology of grasslands, and the impact of different species on the health of the soil. We take a deep dive into different fibers, and the impact of different animals on the land as we learn from nomadic pastoralists a profound respect for a way of life since the ice age and adaptions and experimentations for this way of life to continue in the time of climate change. There's a reason felt continues to be such an extraordinary material as we look to materials of the future. Come join us on this journey if the rich history of steppe nomadic culture, wide open spaces, animals, and ecology are passions. When can you join a passion for textiles with riding a horse?
Altai Mountains Kazakh Felting & Eagle Hunters
MONGOLIA | Sept 2-12th
Every cloth, every mountain, every human, tells a story. What is the story of Kazakh felt? What are the mountains, the animals, and people behind the fabric? Come explore with us to learn about the challenges and innovation of regenerative herding on Mongolia’s steppe grasslands, songs of animals, fibers and landscapes; of the profound bond between humans and eagles to protect their herds from predators. The rugged Altai Mountains of remote, far west Mongolia, hold cultural treasures. The Kazakh peoples have called this region home for thousands of years and have learned not to just survive but flourish in this magnificent wild harshness. The premier felters of the country, Kazakh women sustain culture and heritage through their colorful, artful and distinctive felting work which adorns their yurts. Come learn to felt from these Master felters who sustain this rich heritage tradition that has kept communities warm on the steppes for millennia. Once only the domain of men, now women are becoming eagle hunters too. Come explore the awesome Kazakh relationship they have forged with predatory birds to form a unique alliance to protect their precious herds of sheep from which they make felt.
Ladakh: Ecology, Spirit and Textiles
INDIA | Sept 20-28th
Do you have a passion for textiles, Himalayan culture, and sustainability? Do vast open mountain spaces and traditional cultures speak to you? With our hosts, Catherine Alle and Tsering Angtak of WeareKal, join National Geographic Explorer Carroll Dunham on this is a highly immersive, interactive, engaging and profound journey into the spirit of Ladakh through shepherds, sheep, their wool, water, soil, food, artisans, fashion designers and environmentalists, Buddhist nuns and traditional healers as we explore art and architecture, weaving culture, people and fibers together in our search for fossil fuel fabric alternatives. If you like to go deep when you travel and learn and meet inspiring people, this is the trip for you.
Bhutan: Weaving Spirit with Nonhuman Worlds Pilgrimage
BHUTAN | OCT 2-12th
Have you dreamt of visiting Bhutan but never made it? Have you already visited Bhutan and long to return? This may be the journey for you. We will engage our hands, our feet, our minds, and our hearts in this interactive, exciting pilgrimage- adventure by day and luxury at night. We will start our journey in the glacial valley of Paro before flying to the heartland of the country, Bumthang. We will meet with extraordinary, unforgettable, and remarkable people: from sheep herders and wool spinners, to royal weavers who teach us how to weave, heritage keepers sustaining natural dyes, to monks, meditators, Buddhist philosophers and charismatic female diviners to artists, hip fashion designers translating tradition into contemporary style, to politicians working to balance economic needs while honoring nonhuman worlds.
Assam: People & Ecologies of the Wild Silk of
the Brahmaputra
INDIA | Nov 6-15th
Engage in an immersive experience delving into the rich heritage of Assam's indigenous communities and their profound connection with the unique wild silk production along the Brahmaputra River. Witness the captivating process of creating exquisite ahimsha silk, embracing the intricate craftsmanship passed down through generations while discovering the intertwined relationship between Assam's people, nature, and remarkable artistry.
Weave and Wander with Artisan Project
MOROCCO | TBD
Explore the captivating essence of Morocco's artisanal legacy through an immersive journey with the Artisan Project. The vibrant tapestry of Moroccan craftsmanship, weaving together the cultural heritage embedded in the intricate threads of traditional artistry through the enchanting landscapes and vibrant markets, discovering the profound stories woven into the fabric of Moroccan textiles.
