Miao Collection

The feature fabric of the Miao range comes from the Miao people. The Miao are one of the most ancient of China's ethnic minorities, tracing their origins back more than 4,000 years. Living mainly south of the Yangtze River, on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the remote mountainous areas, the Maio people belong to China's mountainous ethnic groups.

The Miao people have no written language. Their history and culture are translated orally and through their textiles. These textiles are considered the highest art form of the Miao. Despite a background of poverty, this extraordinarily rich textile tradition embodies their history. Generally the hand-stitched embroidered, wax resist (batik technique), applique or woven artwork is a collective story. There are sophisticated social functions and cultural connotations in the Miao's traditional textiles including, for example, totem worship, historical immigration, religious writing and earthly custom, myths and legends. Auspicious symbols (such as kylin, dragon and phoenix) and ordinary insects, fishes and flowers make up the common designs of the colourful embroidery.

The Miao are known for their excellent, traditional embroidery and textile techniques. The techniques are handed down generation by generation. The traditional styles are continued; even today's modern development has not influenced the style. The patterns, plant and animal shapes are all related to the Miao's living conditions, and the layout of the patterns are very much vivid and naturally connected, instead of mechanically being put together.