Textile Trails’ 2019 tour of Bhutan was scheduled to coincide with three festivals and to give even greater opportunities for immersion and hands-on learning.
As ever, we were warmly welcomed by our Bhutanese hosts across the country.
Last year at the tsechu (festival) in Bhutan, I noticed several women wearing kiras reminiscent of Tibetan Hothra. Continue reading
What a wonderful time to be visiting Bhutan! I love the thrima technique and will be there in December to see this new exhibition. Continue reading
Recently I wrote about the imitation of shibori in embroideries on display in the exhibition China: Through the Lens of John Thomson at the National Textile Museum in Washington, DC (Textiles Imitating Textiles).
A few days ago, I was privileged to view the beautiful textiles submitted for Bhutan’s national textile competition and enjoyed another embroidery that beautifully portrayed textiles.
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Recently I enjoyed browsing through the sumptuous kushutara brocades paraded down the catwalk at the Window to Woven Dreams fashion show held at the opening of the new Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan. Continue reading
I had the opportunity to accompany Active Travel’s Textile Tour group for a few days. South of Trongsa, we visited the Tarayana Foundation’s unique project that has revived the art of weaving cloth from the bark of stinging nettles. Continue reading
As I travelled to Phobjika in November, the cold weather was prompting the wearing of Yathra garments. Continue reading
Recently the King of Bhutan married his bride, Jetsun Pema. Watching the ceremony taking place in Punakha, I heard Bhutanese wondering why the King was wearing floral brocade rather than one of his many handsome aikapur ghos, which they considered more typically Bhutanese. Continue reading
Along with mathra, Sethra is a very popular plaid associated with Central Bhutan. Continue reading
