Ko Thar Gyi is the founder of Natural Dye Weaving Network started in 2012. He was a farmer for 10 years before working on his weaving business. He started the business with 3 people with the mission of supporting the local community and preserve the traditional back strap weaving technique. Now, there are nearly 60 people involved in this weaving community including his family members and the women from different villages around Mrauk U region.
Initially, he started producing synthetic dyed weaving as he didn’t have technical knowledge with natural dyeing process. Eager to learn the natural process and improve the overall quality of the weavings, he attended a course from Sandars weaving school in Mandalay, Amarapura. Since attending this course he has improved his quality which has increased the demand.
All of the patterns and designs on the textiles reflect the Chin culture and their surroundings. Different leaves, flowers and herbs from the local area are used in the dying process. This also gives us an evolving seasonal selection of table runners.
Each piece takes 2 weeks to complete from the initial dying process to the weaving.
