POSTCARD FROM BURMA
In the Chin Hills of North West Myanmar there lives a tribe renowned for their unbeatable weaving skills. Known as the Mizo or Kalinkaw, this community has inspired one London based maker to give up life in the city, move to Burma and set up a brand new online textiles shop that promotes locally made textiles with sound ethics: say hello to Kalinko.
As Burma was under military rule and closed to international trade until as recently as 2013, founder Sophie Garnier launched Kalinko in November of last year as a way to bring the beautiful work of Burmese craftspeople to a new, international market. After travelling the country she has built personal relationships with an arsenal of expert weavers who collaborate with Kalinko in making top quality homeware. Made with the skills and knowledge passed down through generations of weavers, their weapon of choice is the ancient backstrap loom.
This time-old approach to weaving is still very much alive in the household of Burma, where many women still weave and wear their tribal outfits. Deeply committed to their heritage and the local history of textiles, they create beautiful fabrics that are now beginning to reach a whole new audience. Their cushions for instance are made of strips of woven fabric, each taking up to two weeks to weave, experimenting with colour but sticking steadfastly to local Burmese patterns, ensuring that while these creations start off on a worldwide journey, they not only remember -- but celebrate -- their roots.
See Kalinko at the House and Garden Festival, 21 - 24 June.
www.kalinko.com
As Burma was under military rule and closed to international trade until as recently as 2013, founder Sophie Garnier launched Kalinko in November of last year as a way to bring the beautiful work of Burmese craftspeople to a new, international market. After travelling the country she has built personal relationships with an arsenal of expert weavers who collaborate with Kalinko in making top quality homeware. Made with the skills and knowledge passed down through generations of weavers, their weapon of choice is the ancient backstrap loom.
This time-old approach to weaving is still very much alive in the household of Burma, where many women still weave and wear their tribal outfits. Deeply committed to their heritage and the local history of textiles, they create beautiful fabrics that are now beginning to reach a whole new audience. Their cushions for instance are made of strips of woven fabric, each taking up to two weeks to weave, experimenting with colour but sticking steadfastly to local Burmese patterns, ensuring that while these creations start off on a worldwide journey, they not only remember -- but celebrate -- their roots.
See Kalinko at the House and Garden Festival, 21 - 24 June.
www.kalinko.com