Maya
Style with a story
In September 2005 Nana embarked on a journey to Shangri-la in Yunnan China as a volunteer English teacher where she was completely overwhelmed and inspired by the spirituality and simplicity of the Tibetans, their rich cultures and most importantly their vibrant and intricate textiles and embroidery. However, Nana soon learned that, as beautiful as Shangri-la looks, behind its utopian façade lies a hidden danger.
The world’s traditional arts and crafts are by nature fragile. However, in China this situation is made worse by its rapid economic growth reforms. The preservation of traditional ethnic cultures and traditions are constantly being overlooked in favour of grand scale commercial developments. Maya aims to preserve these fragile cultures, with however limited means, through the production of socially yet style conscious handbags for the modern cosmopolitan women. The embroidery used on bags you see today is purchased through dealers in Yunnan. However, Nana is in close talks with non-profit organizations in Yunnan, Qinghai and Guizhou so that future embroidery featured in her bags will be made by women of different ethnic minorites who are engaged in empowerment projects run by these non-profits. These projects ensure a fair trade for the locals and help to revive a dwindling art at the brink of extinction.
Maya clutch bags are handmade using soft Italian lambskin, 100% Thai silk and vintage Miao and Tibetan embroidered patches. In line with Maya’s ultimate mission, profit from Maya sales will go towards building a textile and embroidery training program with Rabsal, a non-profit organization based in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan and aimed at preserving and regenerating Tibetan culture. For more information on Rabsal please visit http://www.rabsal.org/.
This is Maya’s story. What will your story be?
