handmade textiles

Woven by hand, traditional West African kente cloth becomes a colorful scarf. Deborah Osei Boakye continues her grandfather's craft with this extraordinary design. Each strip of kente cloth requires considerable effort, and the looms are worked with both hands and feet. Each color has its own meanings in Ashanti culture, and the patterns themselves are carefully chosen symbols, which a master weaver develops and names. This design is named Nsatsia, meaning "fingers" in the Akan language. Its motifs suggest interlocking fingers from both hands.

Cool casual comfort distinguishes this design by Hari and Arthur. With a squared neckline and short sleeves, the dress features elasticized smocking in the bodice for easy fit. The blue on white motifs evoke the Balinese sky; they are created with the silkscreen technique.

Cotton yarns add rich texture to this brilliant kente cloth shawl by the Gobah Tengey-Seddoh Family. Strips of black, white and blue make a dramatic and handsome color combination. Designed and woven of coarse local cotton in the 12th century, the lokpo pattern means "heavy or thick in texture."

Each strip requires considerable effort, and the looms are worked with both hands and feet. Strips are generally three to four inches wide and seven to ten feet long, and the length of time it takes to complete one strip varies by the complexity of the chosen pattern. The simplest use mostly vertical, or warp patterns, and an experienced weaver can make several of those in one day. However patterns with nearly all weft (horizontal thread) patterns where the warp design is hardly visible can take up to four days to complete an individual strip. Each color has its own meanings in Asante culture. Green is fertility and new harvest, gold is royalty, black is strength, aging and spirituality, while white is purity. The patterns themselves are carefully chosen symbols, which a master weaver develops and names, often to honor people, historical events, or proverbs.

This dhurrie rug from Sonik Sethi conjures blue lakes, sea and sky. Woven by hand from wool, the dhurrie reinterprets an ancient tradition, adapting tribal motifs in contemporary colours.

By Hari and Arthur, this elegant men's shirt showcases Bali's batik traditions. It features motifs of cultural significance, including the kawung, or aren flower, and the parang, or dagger, in light caramel brown, and sky blue on antique white cotton. They combine to create a visually stunning design with a front pocket and hidden coconut shell buttons, to go from casual or more dressy events.

Hair scrunchies are practical, but also beautiful fashion accessories to complement your outfits. colourful Ghanaian patterns enhance this pair of cotton scrunchies designed and handmade by artisan Christiana Asare as a comfortable and fashionable way to keep your hair always in place.

Nothing better to keep your hair in place than scrunchies, the accessories that were popular in the 90s and are still beloved to this day. Artisan Christiana Asare designs and crafts by hand this pair of multicoloured hair scrunchies from 100% cotton with classic Ghanaian motifs.

This pair of cushion covers is designed by Navya Khanna of India in an elegant, chic style of hand-woven, snow-white acrylic thread over a bone-colored cotton casement. The covers are ornamented with indigo acrylic tassels on each corner. The backs of the covers are solid white and feature zipper closures at the bottom for easily inserting cushions.

Nuse, meaning “strength” in the Ewe language, describes the spirit of Mary Dzidzienyo, the talented Ghanaian artisan and author of this stunning design. Ideal for the modern souls, this cotton hobo bag features a batik design in a palette of cyan, boysenberry and white hues, creating a splatter pattern for a vivacious look. On top of that, and as an eco-friendly accent, the accessory comes with recycled plastic beaded handles that add uniqueness to the piece, equipped with a linen lining.

Diverse experiences have taught Ghanaian artisan Mary Dzidzienyo that a cheerful spirit is a fearless one. Inspired by those resilient souls that make the world go, Mary handcrafts this cotton tote bag with a gorgeous batik design in a palette of cyan, boysenberry and white hues arranged in a splatter pattern for a vibrant sensation. The bag, lined with linen, has a hidden meaning: it is titled after the inspirational Hebrew word adira, which means “courageous.”

Miriam and Debora find their main inspiration in geometry, designing a gorgeous throw in indigo and beige shades. Handloomed by Guatemalan artisans, this cotton accessory is a soft addition perfect for those winter days, with little fringes adding a refined accent.

Don't ever lose your bags again when you travel because with this elegant luggage tag handmade from 100% cotton you can now easily locate them. The stylish blue and white tag is crafted with 100% cotton and features a black cotton trim and a clear plastic window on one side to display your personal information in a lovely patterned design by the artisans of Cooperativa San Antonio Palopó from Guatemala.