Words and Photos by Supei Ho, originally published at The Textile Atlas The Blue Hmong are one of 54 ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. A subgroup of the Miao people, the majority of whom live in China, the Blue Hmong are renowned for their decorative indigo Batik textiles that are often adorned with patchwork, cross-stitch and applique. Traditional textile making is a domestic affair and a source of supplementary income for these families, besides agriculture and farming. Hmong men perform most of the physically demanding work such as felling trees, constructing houses and transporting the harvest; whereas Hmong women and older girls hold the responsibility for food preparation, household chores,…
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Bulgaria part 2: From a rural retreat to the historic capital
Following a day of medieval history, archaeological finds and dramatic landscapes we headed to the small village of Gorsko Slivovo, near the Devetaki Plateau. Our accommodation for the next two nights was to be the Bilkarskata Kashta – the ‘Herbalist’s House’ run by hospitable and friendly couple Mariella and Misho. The house lived well up to its name. The large garden was full of plants and flowers, a huge variety of herbs, a plot of tomato plants, grape vines and more. The terrace was decorated with bunches of the dried herbs along with other curios around a wooden roof and a large table. All the rooms had their own…
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Unravelling textile stories
A month ago I moved to London. Lucky to have a few weeks to settle in and explore the city as a resident and not a visitor, I’ve found myself so overwhelmed at the amount of things to do and see. I am constantly discovering new places, hidden gems. One of these places was Raven Row gallery on Artillery lane in Spitalfields, the name derived from what was the street’s name until 1895. It is a listed building dating back to the 18th century, although it is unnoticeable to many, blending in with the rest of the old buildings down this cobbled back street of a bustling, workers’ area of…
