At the Edge of Survival: Re-establishing Passementerie in Australia within an diminishing Global Industry

In this report, Mason Family Trust Fellow Cody Winward investigates international best-practice approaches to safeguarding and revitalising passementerie, an endangered decorative textile craft involving the creation of braids, tassels, fringes and ornamental trimmings. Cody undertook specialist training and research across the United Kingdom, France and Ireland, engaging with master artisans, museum collections, heritage organisations and contemporary makers. This Fellowship explores traditional production techniques, knowledge transmission, material culture, industry sustainability and contemporary applications of passementerie. Drawing on international expertise and historic examples, Cody examines opportunities to re-establish passementerie within Australia through education, collaboration and creative practice. Through this Fellowship, Cody hopes to support the preservation of rare craft knowledge, strengthen cultural heritage outcomes and foster renewed appreciation for skilled handcraft within Australia's creative and museum sectors.