The New Age of Trichology

Sanne Visser is a Dutch material researcher and designer based in London. Her work explores the future with what humans have on hand now, often offering a new perspective on overlooked materials.

The New Age of Trichology is an ongoing project started in 2016 as Visser’s graduation project from Central Saint Martins. Visser conducts research into the applications and properties of human hair – such as its high tensile strength. In collaboration with spinners, rope makers and textile workers, Visser has developed a method to make rope from hair by spinning it into yarn. She has produced climbing ropes, crocheted bags and swings. By continuing to emphasise the beauty of hair in her project, Visser points the field of design in the direction of looking closer to home for raw material. Visser has used this project as a jumping-off point for her PhD research in Circular Design.