tribaltextiles.info

Hi all,

I have been a collector for some time but recently have been investigating ways to incorporate hilltribe/minority embroidery into my clothing designs. I am planning to visit Chiang Mai and Hanoi in March so would love any information members might have about organizations promoting fair trade which can aid in the sourcing and production of goods of my design.

I would also love to locate similar organizations/individuals in the Guizhou area as the various Miao groups have always been of particular interest to me, but China seems like a harder nut to crack.

Would so appreciate any suggestions. Have been enjoying tribaltextiles.info very much!

Best,
Lisa

Hello Lisa ,



So ,I knew only a little about the wonderful Hilltribes Textiles ,but what I think it is that them all are really Fantastic!!


Though ,regarding Fair Trade ,I am very interested in and know something about it. Then ,if did you want I would like to give you some Information ,Websites ,Directories where you can find the sources and products for that Area!! So ,I will try ,at least to give you a little Help!!


Let me know.






Best



Yours Lorenzo

Dear Lisa

I have tried to post a response to your message twice - and lost the response and included links twice! Urgh!!

Anyway, welcome to the forum! It is alway nice when a 'lurker' comes out!

I don't have much in the way of direct help for you I am afraid. My own contacts on the ground in Hanoi are almost 10 years out of date! I still use a nice wallet with incorporated weaving (made, I think for a commercial market) that I bought on my first visit in 1994! I have no idea if the original weaver got a fair deal on the weaving.

Have you seen Suzi Garner's article http://www.tribaltextiles.info/articles ... i_Chau.htm Suzi might be able to give some advice. There is a contact link at the bottom of the article and she is also a member of the forum (see top right hand corner of each forum page for links to member list and also search feature).

The Tribal Shopping section of the forum has some links to sites where people are trying very hard to encourage traditional crafts and get a reasonable reward for those producing the textiles - bilum bags in PNG see http://www.tribaltextiles.info/communit ... .php?t=194 and Indonesian ikat see http://www.tribaltextiles.info/communit ... ic.php?t=6

You might want to try Janet Willoughby at http://www.endsoftheearth.co.uk/ as I know that she is in touch with local producers but I don't know about Vietnam or Thailand.

I think that it is very difficult to be sure of 'Fair Trade' and I would hesitate to even use the term in this context. Even buying in a village one is never sure who is getting a 'commission' (or even most of the sale). So often, anyway, men insist on taking the money from sale of textiles which women have worked hard to make.

Someone else may post some ideas. Good luck!

_________________
Pamela

http://www.tribaltextiles.info
on-line tribal textiles resource

Pamela ,



Oh!! ,I am sorry if did you try to post twice and failed all the times!! That because ,I was just typing my post ,maybe!! Then ,it seems we made it simultaneously ,in perfect Sinchrony ,ah ,ah!!!!!

Again ,I beg your Pardon.





Yours Lorenzo

Thanks for the welcome Pamela! I will definitely contact the individuals you mentioned in your post. I had no idea the online textile community was so large--

I imagine that the concept of "fair trade" is not necessarily appropriate in all cases. Have you heard of an not-for-profit organization called Craft Link in Hanoi? www.craftlink-vietnam.com

As for Guizhou -- I have been enjoying your travel diary from 2005. Do you know of any knowledgeable resident guides who may still be there? I do not want to be part of a large tour group but imagine I will need some help getting around!

Best,
Lisa

Lisa

Craftlink in Vietnam. Yes, I think I have heard of them and when I look at the website I see that there is a connection with the Museum of Ethnography. I have heard of a minority craft support organisation with a link to the Museum. I think that Michael C Howard, who has written with his Vietnamese wife several books and articles on minority textiles in Vietnam, has had some connection with this also. Sounds about as good as you are likely to get.

China. In Guizhou the Chinese travel company who work with Steppes East and, in particular, Gina Corrigan, are China Youth Travel Service, Guizhou Branch, Guiyang, Tel: 051-5825125, Fax: 051-5833007 Mr Wang Jun, Mobile: 00 86 13809476012. Wang Jun has been the national guide on my 3 trips to S W China. You might want to ask for Effie, the young guide who was learning on the 2005 trip, to see if she could assist you if Wang Jun is tied up. I know that she was taking one or two people around as the company deals with individuals as well as groups. Wang Jun is a member of this forum, see http://www.tribaltextiles.info/communit ... .php?t=133 I would certainly recommend them. I have found Wang Jun to be extremely knowledgeable, very reliable, conscientious and totally scrupulous. Effie is a sweetie and being well trained to carry on the tradition.

Another company that I have not personally travelled with but whom a French minority enthusiast recommended to me is Minogz travel http://www.minogz.com/ Mr Zhou Jianbing minogz@gmail.com I have exchanged emails with him a few times. I think that he has made some arrangements for her. She usually travels with a friend but not a group.

All the best,

_________________
Pamela

http://www.tribaltextiles.info
on-line tribal textiles resource