Thai artisan Wilai uses a unique eco-printing process known as ouke--a Northern Thai word that means "ripen by heat"--to create the pattern on this sleeveless maxi dress. The artisan steams a selection of leaves and flowers, imprinting their image all over the cotton fabric. Two side pockets and a zipper closure complete the dress with subtle, welcome details.
Please note: Due to the unique process used, there will be variations in the motif, colors, color density, and color placement. The organic materials leave unique stains and shapes on each piece. These irregularities make each dress a one-of-a-kind work of wearable art.
Made in Thailand
100% cotton
Hand wash or machine wash on gentle cycle
Use a warm iron
Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
"I hope you will experience joy in each design and that you can feel the unique touch of Chiang Mai in every item."
"I was born in 1952, the sixth child of the family. My nickname is Lha, which denotes the youngest child, but it turns... out that there are two more children who were born after me. Although I graduated from the faculty of education at Chiang Mai University, I didn't become a teacher. I helped out at my family handicraft shop, a store my father founded. Most of the things we sold were fabric-related, since my father was a design teacher specialized in silk brocade.
"The creative genes I inherited from my parents allowed me to be where I am today. As a child, I had very little training in art and design. The handicraft skills I knew were only the basics I learned in secondary school. My interest was piqued began when I was working for my father. I was lucky to see many different types of handicrafts and meet with other craft advocates from Thailand and around the world. When I was a child, I asked myself if this was the only way to make things. After that, when I got back from school, I started making experimenting, creating designs from fabric scraps.
"Memories of my childhood shape my perspective, ideas, and who I am as a designer. I can still recall the freshness of morning air, the beautiful misty sunrises, and the friendly morning market of Phrao in Chiang Mai, where my grandmother lives. It was a small rural town with no electricity, but full of compassion and forgiveness. Countless summers of my childhood were spent there, where I learned to use things more sustainably, and to love and be respectful of nature. I grew fond of the simple but meaningful way of life that my grandmother and my mother lived. These are the core values I carried into my work.
"In 1987, I set up my workshop to create textile items for my family and also make eco-friendly, handwoven home decor items. I used remnants and fabric scraps, just to make my work different.
"My latest collection is eco-printed with a unique technique known in the local dialect as ouke, a Northern Thai word that means 'ripen by heat.' The first step is to collect the leaves and ferment them, soaking them in water for two to three night. Then I then paste them on white cotton fabric and roll or fold it tightly to finish before placing it in a steamer or boiling pot for a night or two. Overall, one batch takes up to five nights to finish. The most fun comes when I unfold the cloth and peel away the leaves because, when we start, we don't know what the cloth will look like when finished.
"I began using the ouke technique during in the rainy season of 2017. One day while I was in the workshop, a manager pointed at the leaves on the floor — deciduous tree leaves that had rotted on the cement floor. Other people might not be attracted to a stain on the floor. But then I realized, 'Oh, if the cement floor is still colored, this can be done on fabric, too.'
"Because I work with a natural material, many factors affect the color and pattern. The time when the leaves are collected and the individual substances used to ripen the leaves can all control the color intensity. Even the methods of steaming or boiling give different results. If the fabric is boiled, there will be fuzzy patterns and stained colors, but steaming is required if you want freshness and clarity of pattern. This is what I have learned throughout my two years of testing.
"My success is not because I am smart, or have creativity. We have come this far because we have three principles. First, we add value by upcycling. Second, we create 100 percent handmade designs. We let villagers work to preserve their local wisdom and strengthen their community. Third, we usually use earth tones, which are natural colors.
"Since 1987, my workshop has contributed to the local community by offering full-time work to some thirty artisan women, and freelance job opportunities to skilled artisans. Both the workshop and the village have become a part of one other.
"I hope you will experience joy in each design and that you can feel the unique touch of Chiang Mai in every item you acquire. Thank you."
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
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