Weftshop are a Sydney-based non-profit enterprise that collaborates with and supports refugee and migrant artisans from Myanmar to build skills and livelihoods by creating Fair Trade homewares and fashion accessories for the Australian marketplace weftshop.com.au
The new range of cushions is made by artisans living in Thailand whose weaving techniques have been passed down from generation to generation. Each piece in the new range of three exclusive designs is 100% handmade and features woven textile patterns inspired by nature.
The woven textile fabric for the cushions is created by artisans from the Karenni ethnic community* using backstrap looms that are a longstanding but disappearing tradition in Myanmar’s ethnic communities.
The artisans sampled the textiles for Mark Tuckey by working with WEFTshop’s founder and creative director Emma Kate Wallace, a NIDA-trained costumier whose work with artisans takes her to Thailand and Burma regularly.
The collaborative sampling and production process involved two artisan workshops, threading the backstrap looms in different custom sizes, and adapting traditional patterns on the looms to produce the contemporary designs.
“When we weave together we are one heart,” says artisan Lu Meh, who has lived in a refugee camp in Thailand since 1996. She says weaving provides an opportunity to extend her skills while earning an income at home safely in the camp, with the flexibility to also look after her children.
WEFTshop’s work with the Karenni artisans to produce exclusive designs for Mark Tuckey is supported by WEAVE Fair Trade which is well-known in Thailand for its work with migrant and refugee communities to gain safe employment, fair income and social advancement.
The WEFTshop for Mark Tuckey range is available now at both Mark Tuckey showrooms.
* The Karenni people are from Kayah State in the eastern region of Myanmar, where thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes because of military persecution over many years. The Karenni people are one of Myanmar’s ethnic minorities.