Designer Vu Thao Shares Vietnamese Natural Dye Secrets

According to The Creator’s Project, “Few visitors set foot in Cao Bang, Vietnam, a remote village in the mountains north of Hanoi, but designer Vu Thao considers it a creative second home. Collaborating with ethnic women who live there, Thao grows and produces natural dyes and fabrics for Kilomet 109, her eco-conscious clothing line. Thanks to Vacation With An Artist (VAWAA), a program we covered previously that pairs travelers with creators around the world, curious visitors can join Thao in Cao Bang to spend five days learning the secrets of cultivating natural dye from the land. Craftsmanship is deeply ingrained … Read more

Han Purple: A 2,800-Year-Old Color Quantum Physicists Are Trying to Understand

According to Ancient Origins,  “Han purple is an artificial pigment created by the Chinese over 2,500 years ago, which was used in wall paintings and to decorate the famous terracotta warriors, as well as ceramics, metal ware, and jewelry. The pigment is a technological wonder, made through a complex process of grinding up raw materials in precise proportions and heating to incredible temperatures.” Used as far as 800 BC,  it was not used in art until the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BC – 220 AD), when it was applied to the world famous terracotta warriors, as well as ceramics … Read more