Articles

E-mail RSS

Monterey, CA - The lands of Southeast Asia dazzle with brilliant color, natural beauty, intricate patterns and a mystical faith that still inspires and informs the work of its artisans. Now, the exceptional crafts and distinctive cultures of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and India, are reinterpreted in a unique collaboration between American designers and gifted Asian artisans.

Lulan Artisansis the vision of Charleston, S.C.-based architect / designer Eve Blossom, who developed her passion for the ancient art of hand-weaving during a two-year sojourn in Vietnam. Travelling throughout Southeast Asia, she was inspired by the unparalleled talent and spirit of the local artisans. She also saw the opportunity to produce environmentally sustainable products that could be marketed in the West for the benefit of the communities that created them.

The result is an innovative alliance between Blossom, consulting California design partners Laura Guido-Clark and Michael Koch and a group of artisans who have kept ancient traditions and techniques alive for centuries. Headquartered in Charleston and founded in 2004, Lulan is committed to preserving regional artistic traditions by creating sustainable yet luxurious fabrics that are handwoven and hand-dyed. "We are a for-profit social venture," Blossom notes. "Lulan works in partnership with more than 600 artisans, developing local cottage industries and helping to meet the specific economic needs of each individual community. These artisans are truly our partners."

Lulan designs and produces high-quality, handwoven, hand-dyed natural textiles used as upholstery, curtains, pillows, duvets, throws, wallcoverings, lampshades, rugs and other home accessories. These singular fabrics elegantly merge original, contemporary designs with centuries-old Southeast Asian weaving techniques. Each region's distinctive artistic traditions are reinterpreted by Lulan's American designers with fresh perspectives on pattern, palette and texture. The product line is available through designer showrooms and select specialty retailers, such as ABC Carpet & Home in New York City.

A key aspect of Eve Blossom's vision is to enhance the weavers' economic development by creating sustainable livelihoods and improving the quality of life, not just for its Asian artisans but for their towns and villages. Today, Lulan's partners include 18 different groups of spinners, twisters, dyers, weavers and finishers. These groups had previously organized themselves; Blossom works with them to take them to the next level. In fact, Blossom would like to expand the partnership to include10,000 artisans in the years ahead. "We're determined to provide the resources to assist with whatever economic and social programs each community needs to prosper," asserts Blossom. These programs are geared to the individual needs of each group. Where one might want childcare, another might have literacy classes for women as a priority. Support is both local and global. Lulan is responsive to their local conditions, while offering expertise in international product development and marketing.

Lulan's holistic approach honors the rhythms, growth cycles, traditions and regional specificity of its artisans. The company's reverence for nature and commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in its use of natural and low-impact dyes and all-natural materials. These fabrics are better for the environment, the weavers and the consumer. Lulan's textiles exude a sense of place, time and meaning and are filled with mastery, love and pride of the handmade.

SOURCE: Lulan Artisans