Bhutanese are master weavers; their textiles are colourful and intricate. But there is more than colour and intricacy if weavers are to market their product to international clients.
“Without compromising traditional design, there are means to make Bhutanese textiles more attractive and saleable in the international market,� says Amy S Frey, a product specialist from the US, who is training weavers in Thimphu.
Amy S Frey said that there are techniques like pile weaving, block printing, embroidery and appliqué, which can be blended with handwoven textiles to make them more attractive.
“We are working on simple techniques, which blend easily with traditional designs,� said Amy S Frey.
With a lack of market information being the biggest obstacle to potential exporters in Bhutan, about 18 trainees, most of them weavers, were trained on how to blend these innovative techniques with traditional designs during the three-day product and development/design and retail workshop, which started on November 14.
The training also stressed on colours and designs that international clients would prefer. “Clients prefer simple designs with dull colours and this is the kind of information and knowledge weavers here need to know,� said Amy S Frey.
Trainees also had hands-on training on drawing designs and colour combination of simple textiles. They were also shown samples of products made in Thailand, India and Nepal.
Amy S Frey told Kuensel that they focused on creating small products like cushion covers and bags because they would be cheaper than ghos and kiras and more usable.
“We now have a better understanding about what our clients want,� said one of the trainees, Karma Choden.
Four men also participated in the training. “We get new ideas and I hope we’ll be able to work further on them,� said Karma, a weaver from Lhuentse.
The training is organised by the EU-Bhutan Trade Capacity Development project to create additional income opportunities and increase foreign exchange revenues, while preserving and promoting a traditional Bhutanese craft.
“We are giving them a taste of what the modern concept is all about,� said the coordinator of the Bhutan Trade Capacity Development project, Sangay Khandu.
Among other objectives, like increase sale of textiles, the project also aims to assess the supply situation for hand-woven Bhutanese textiles in view of the market requirements.
After the project steering committee meeting on November 19 where the progress of the project would be discussed, a one-day retail training program will be held for all handicraft shop owners in the capital.
The shopkeepers would be taught to package, label and display their products better. According to Sangay Khandu, there are about 60 handicraft shops in Thimphu. This is the second time such a training workshop is being held in Thimphu. The first was organised by United Nations Development Program.
In July, a study was presented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) the Bhutanese business community in Thimphu, which showed that, while Bhutan had the potential to export woven textiles, bottled water and spices, traders first needed to be educated on the ways and standards of the international market.
Source: Kuenselonline
