Raffia has always been the cornerstone of our brand. RÂÂaffia comes from the segments of the leaves on the Raphia Farinifera palm (commonly known as Raffia Palm). Different species of raffia palm can be found around the world in parts of Southeast Asia, and South and Central America, with the very best flourishing in the coastal valleys of Madagascar.
Raffia harvesting is considered a sustainable practice, which means that the plant is not harmed during the process and can continue to grow and produce. Once harvested, the leaves are stripped, and their strands are dried in the sun. As they begin to dry out, the strands shrink in size and change from a green colour to a beautiful and natural earthy sand colour.
Once dried, the raffia is sorted and separated into different grading qualities, according to its colour, texture, length and width. This timely process; from harvesting to dying and packing, is executed locally with the expertise to ensure that only the finest raffia is exported and with the utmost respect for the environment.
Raffia vs. Straw
It is not uncommon for raffia to be confused with straw. Although both are natural fibres, they are very different in their origin and attributes. Straw is the dry stalk of cereal plants such as rice, rye, corn, oats and barley. Since it is a by-product of grain harvests, it is inexpensive and plentiful. It absorbs moisture, can become quite brittle over time, and is a stiff fibre meaning it cannot easily be manipulated for fit or shape.
Raffia, on the contrary, has a natural resin in its leaves which increases its longevity; it also makes each strand flexible and pliant but also wonderfully resilient and slightly waterproof, preventing it from cracking and becoming brittle over time.
Attributes of Raffia
The attributes that are associated with Raffia are that of a strong, durable, pliable, flexible and an easy to dye yet soft binding material. This allows our artisans to be creative with design and technique, crafting functional accessories (rollable and packable) that are focused on timeless design and dressing with ease.
Raffia also has a natural resistance to water, but the fibre itself is not considered waterproof. If soaked, it has the potential to lose a considerable amount of body. Caring for raffia is simple but crucial to ensure its longevity.
Artisanal Techniques
Each Helen Kaminski raffia piece is unique and handcrafted with special care by our skilled artisans using both traditional and modern techniques. Our artisans transform our designs into true displays of craftspersonship.
With such expertise and dedication, our artisans can craft raffia accessories using many different methods. With this extensive knowledge, intensive training and consistent innovation, our artisans produce beautiful, sustainably-minded accessories season after season.
1. Raffia Braid
This technique is a signature created by our founder Helen Kaminski. It has become iconic and represents the brand's heritage with its distinct yet relaxed elegance. Our artisans have dedicated years to perfecting the art of raffia braid. Braiding with raffia takes months of training and years of practice to master, showcasing the level of skill and craftsmanship involved in creating unique pieces.
To create the raffia braid, we use the highest quality, sustainably harvested Madagascan raffia. The raffia is carefully washed, processed, and dried naturally in the sun before being distributed to the artisans in Madagascar and Sri Lanka. The artisans then split the raffia fibre by hand, ensuring a consistent weight and thickness for a uniform finish. It takes approximately five days for a skilled artisan to complete a 120-metre coil of the signature five-plait raffia braid, ensuring that there are no visible joins or knots in the length. The finished braid is then delicately formed and sewn together into elevated silhouettes, adorned with our signature raffia seed logo.
2. Raffia Crochet
Raffia crochet is a highly skilled technique and a trademark of Helen Kaminski. The process begins with sustainably harvested raffia from Madagascar, which is carefully split by hand to ensure the correct tension is maintained. Using traditional crochet hooks, our artisans meticulously crochet each piece by hand. The result is a seamless finish, with no visible seams, knots, or joins.
The signature wattle stitch, found on many of Helen Kaminski's hats and bags, requires months of training and years of practice to achieve with precision. Only a select few artisans with the highest level of expertise can master this stitch. It takes approximately three days for a single artisan to complete an iconic Helen Kaminski hat, with around 18,000 seamless stitches.
3. Raffia Mega Fleck
Raffia Mega Fleck is a unique technique that has been developed for the Spring Summer '24 collection. The technique involves creating a wide braid using raffia. It also includes the addition of large flecks of contrast colour that are woven into the raffia braid. The braid itself is meticulously crafted, with the raffia intricately plaited into a 5-strand pattern. This ensures the braid is continuous and seamless, giving it a polished and refined look.
The collection is inspired by the essence of artistic brush strokes using raffia. The mega fleck accents, created through the art of hand embroidery, reflect the exceptional skill and talent of the artisans involved. Each fleck is carefully crafted, resembling the brushstrokes of a painter.
4. Raffia Lace Flower
The Raffia Lace Flower technique is a display of creativity and craftsmanship. Introduced in the Spring Summer '24 collection, this technique showcases raffia in a whole new light. Working closely with artisans in Sri Lanka, our design team has developed a stunning handmade raffia lace flower that adds a bold accent to every hat.
The In Full Bloom collection exemplifies the artistry involved in this technique. Each style features an impressive 60 raffia flowers, meticulously crafted by hand. It takes over 10 days to complete each piece, using approximately 80 metres of raffia.
The process begins with the separation of the raffia into thin strands, which are then skillfully plaited together to form a long string. This string is then expertly rolled into a spiral and manipulated into delicate petals. Every flower is stitched together by hand, with each placement being unique. It takes a skilled artisan 90 minutes to complete each flower.
Raffia is an integral part of the Helen Kaminski collection, a testament to our heritage and a statement of the future, and through our sustainability initiatives and work with skilled artisans and craftspeople, our raffia headwear is the epitome of accessory excellence.
Shop our collection of raffia hats and bags for men and women online now.