WORDS Tracy Greenwood
Mohair may be synonymous with silky winter jumpers, but it’s a fibre with loads of interesting applications.
Mohair – which is made from the hair of the Angora goat – is suitable for use in furnishings and much more thanks to its hardwearing characteristics.
IN THE CAR: Mohair is used for trimmings such as floor mats and convertible car hoods in certain models of Range Rover and Mini Cooper.
ON HORSEBACK: Soft, breathable and comfortable for both horse and rider, mohair is a preferred material for making girth straps.
STRIVING FOR SILENCE: Thanks to its sound-muffling qualities, mohair is a popular choice for sound-reduction panels in recording studios and theatres.
DOING DIY: Mohair paint rollers are most often used to apply solvent-based paints to smooth surfaces.
IN THE AIR: Mohair velour, a velvet-like fabric, is used for upholstering passenger aircraft bulkheads.
IN THE PURSUIT OF BEAUTY: Local artist Laduma Ngxokolo’s mohair-and-wool MaXhosa shawl was voted Most Beautiful Object in South Africa at Design Indaba 2016.
For more information on mohair and its uses, visit mohair.co.za.
