Women designers adapt traditional Laotian hand weaving for modern era in gorgeous garments
An exhibition at Laos’ Sofitel Luang Prabang hotel highlights how artisans are both preserving the traditional art form and modernising it
In Laos, the art of traditional hand weaving is passed down by women from generation to generation. Boutsaya Viengviseth is among those on a mission to ensure the art form continues to draw attention in the modern era.
She began her design career in 2011, when she sold a few garments via Facebook. That was just a side hustle then – she had been working full-time on a project related to a hydropower plant. But her love of traditional dress began long before that.
“When I was in high school, I worked with my mom. I followed her to the market to sell traditional Lao costumes. I got to know the weavers and wholesalers,” Viengviseth says.
“In 2011, I started with 10 pieces of Lao silk skirts. I posted them on Facebook and everybody loved it. So from that time, my [Facebook] shop became well known.”
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Laotian hand weaving by women designers on display at Luang Prabang exhibition
In 2017, she quit her full-time job and opened Boutsaya Art and Craft in the Laotian capital, Vientiane.