Our Story

 

How Passa Paa came to be

Long time friends, Pok (Hmong/Lao artisan) and Heather (British textile designer) saw a need for Hmong artisans and hemp farmers in Laos to find a market for their skills and raw materials. In 2012 Heather and Pok began researching more about traditional Hmong techniques along with hemp and cotton production in northern Laos. They began combining Heather’s design background with Pok’s artisan upbringing to reproduce the Hmong motifs in contemporary ways through the combination of screen print with applique and cross-stitch embroidery.

 
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The world we are creating

 

Environmental mindfulness

  • We believe in the importance of finding ways to reduce our footprint on the planet.

  • We believe in education as an important tool for change.

  • We believe in taking responsibility and being accountable for our impact and actions. From concept to consumer each step of the process is considered.

The importance of design and artistry

  • We believe in designing functional and unique pieces.

  • We believe in design as a form of expression that creates new ways to marry tradition and contemporary lifestyle. Innovation and quality is essential to providing long term jobs and promoting value in all things handmade.

Opportunities

  • We believe in creating a platform for both Hmong women and men, where their textile culture can thrive, their story to be told and their traditions to flourish in Laos and beyond.  

Sustainability

  • We believe in the balance between planet, people and price as the foundation of the sustainability equation. 

Financial independence

  • We believe that the Artisans wellbeing is fundamental.

  • We believe in presenting our products at a fair price in order for sustainability to be achieved.

 
 

“Design creates culture, culture shapes values, values determine the future”

-Robert Peters