Wiesława Agnieszka Świder is the founder of the Rugs Clinic, a place that has become a haven for antique and sentimental fabrics from around the world. Her passion for weaving and carpet restoration has its roots in her childhood spent in the Beskid Sądecki region, where she was surrounded by the tradition of spinning and weaving. Her interest in weaving developed during her travels across Poland and Europe, where she delved into the secrets of traditional craftsmanship.
A breakthrough moment in her career was a trip to Iran, where she learned carpet restoration and dyeing techniques from masters whose weaving traditions span several generations. Upon returning to Poland, she decided to dedicate herself to her passion. She studied at the Academy of Fine Arts to better understand colors and their impact on fabrics. She explored how different substances affect materials and the reactions between chemical compounds while studying at the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Wrocław.
At the Folk University of Artistic Crafts, under the guidance of master craftsmen, she prepared for the state weaving exam, which she passed with flying colors. Wiesława continually expands her knowledge by learning from masters worldwide. This has enabled her to acquire the skills necessary for restoring the most valuable fabrics. She also conducts training in material science, cleaning and dyeing, as well as spinning and weaving, sharing her knowledge with others.
She constantly upgrades her qualifications, training at institutions such as the IICRC. She delves into the intricacies of yarn production and the physicochemical properties of dyeing materials, collaborating with the Textile Institute at the Lodz University of Technology and the Association of Polish Colorists.
By promoting the tradition of weaving, she conducts workshops for children and adults. Her work is not just a profession but also a form of meditation and a way to discover the stories woven into fabrics.
