In a globalised market flooded with faux-artisan branding, real craftsmen are endangered. But in Kyoto, where tradition rules, a new initiative is refreshing generations-old techniques to bring Japanese craft to a worldwide…
The struggling region of Oaxaca is tasting economic success with its burgeoning mezcal production. Monocle meets the spirited generation mixing rural tradition and business to create a Mexican brand with bite.
In spite of turbulent economic times, new shoots of a Greek fashion revival are bringing fresh impetus into the nation’s creative industries and helping to preserve traditional techniques.
Since 1880 Horgenglarus has made furniture using time-honoured techniques. That’s why its classic, sturdy chairs are still in high demand in the Alpine nation, used by both parliament and the general public, and have become…
The future of cinema doesn’t lie just in flashy CGI and digital wizardry. These three firms are proving that analogue and tactile techniques, from putting puppets in horror films and designing the perfect props, still play…
It’s a skill that requires great precision and care, so it’s no surprise Santoni’s shoemaking apprentices can take six years to learn the trade. Master shoemaker Silvano Sollini reveals his pride in passing on the craft to…
Traditional gulet vessels built in Turkey’s Bodrum Peninsula have long kept the region’s economy afloat. But changes in the market have led many to fear for the future of the boat-making skills that have been passed down…
A spate of growers, producers, chefs and farmers are reintroducing the country to forgotten ingredients and rediscovering age-old recipes that champion sustainability and a closer link with nature.
The work of the Zimmerer, or carpenter, in Germany is steeped in tradition and their skill in restoring old timber houses is much in demand. We meet the master and his apprentice who is training for a way of life, not just…
Nestled in a chilly valley between wooded volcanoes is the guitar-making capital of Mexico. While many in Paracho battle to survive against a flood of cheap Chinese imports, a few are drawing on generations of knowledge to…
As technology becomes more prevalent in the world of espionage, the idea of an undercover agent in a trench coat might seem old-fashioned. But the human touch is still very much in demand.
We always have a little room in our wardrobes for Trachten and Dirndls – but there’s more to Austrian fashion than initially meets the eye. We visit three brands that are putting a new spin on age-old manufacturing tradi…