Dhartsedo is based in the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Region in the mountainous west of China’s Sichuan province. This region encapsulates most of the eastern part of Kham, one of several provinces comprising traditional Tibet. Within this area, different ethnic Tibetan groups continue to produce and wear their distinctive and vibrant styles of traditional dress. Communities divided by river bends and mountain peaks produce different styles of embroidery, weaving and costume which have been handed down for generation upon generation, such as artisans from herding villages in the high grasslands of Lhagong and rural village spinners and weavers from the remote southern Sichuan Tibetan settlement of Gala.
We commenced our project in August 2006, with the aim of drawing on the creativity and traditions of the communities with which we work to create high quality handmade pieces of wearable art. We largely work in remote areas with economically disadvantaged people and use local materials wherever possible. We are concerned to establish a sustainable vehicle through which makers can sell their work to non-traditional buyers, and train local people in business skills through our organization structure. We are dedicated to fairness, decency and respect in our working relationships, and the creation of beautiful, durable pieces which reflect rich cultural legacies as well as the private inspirations of the makers.
Our clothes incorporate local styles of embroidery, weaving, brocade-edging and garment design. We are concerned to encourage the continuation of these traditional skills and art forms which, in modern times, are often seen as time-consuming and redundant, particularly by younger generations. We utilize such local materials as wool, yak hair, sheepskin, hemp, leather, wood and silver. In keeping with local practice, some fabrics (such as silks, brocades and some felts) are imported from central Tibet, inland China, Nepal and India. Our styles are constantly evolving, and combine traditional and modern elements to produce functional pieces of wearable art.
Our two ranges are Dhartsedo Finery and Dhartsedo Wild.
Dhartsedo Finery is a collection of striking styles featuring detailing such as gilt-edged brocade and fine embroidery. Garments are made using high quality textiles and are refined and unusual; elegant and original. Dhartsedo Wild encompasses a range of designs using locally handspun, handwoven and sometimes hand-dyed textiles and a variety of detailing such as leatherwork, felt appliqué and naïve embroidery.
In cooperation with Khampa Nomad Art, an artisan cooperative also based in the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Region, we also offer a range of unique handicrafts made by Khampa nomadic herders and farmers using time-old methods and local materials. These handicrafts include bags, satchels, monk bowl covers, sewing kits, hats and more. These items are typical styles from the artisans’ home regions, and some are created in keeping purely with traditional design, whereas others are tweeked by the artisans’ own imagination and understanding of modern life.
2007 looks to be a very exciting year for us. We will work to organise new communities in spinning, weaving, sewing and embroidery projects, as well as focus on strengthening the infrastructure and training in the communities already organized. By the end of the year, our first crop of organic hemp in the Jiga Tibetan region in south-west Sichuan will be harvested and ready to be spun and woven into cloth by the women in Gala village. We look forward to the challenges ahead, and the wonderful products to be added to our existing range. You can visit our website at: www.dhartsedo.com.
