Why Lao silk will live on
Retailer Touny Latsasombath spreads the wealth to keep tradition alive
A young woman is carrying on a family tradition of presenting beautiful woven silk dresses to meet her customers’ needs. Touny Latsasombath, who owns a shop called Inpeng Lao Silk, is following in the footsteps of her late grandmother, who had a lot of experience in the development of the local silk trade.
Like her grandmother, Touny has recognised the value-adding potential of silk if it’s made into sinh, the skirts Lao women wear most days at home and at the office. It also helps preserve a tradition for coming generations.
In addition to creating lovely clothing, the silk business generates a good return for investors and creates jobs for weavers who might otherwise live in poverty.
Since starting her business this year, Touny has paid weavers to make sinh in the village of Bo-o in Hadxaifong district, Tha-ngon in Xaythany, and Lathkhuay in Vientiane province.
She provides the various types of Lao silk and cotton. All the silk is naturally dyed, the patterns being Touny’s own, conceived to match market demand. She also does custom orders.
Everything sold at Inpeng Lao Silk Vat Chan, Chanthabouly district (in front of Wat Inpaeng) has been meticulously woven to highlight the beauty and quality of the natural silk and cotton.
Customers can browse among different types of handmade silk items made by Lao women, such as tailored shirts and scarves.
Sinh mai lab, made from the best-quality silk, features traditional patterns mixed with a more modern design at the hem (tin sinh), which sometimes takes the form of animal motifs.
Touny finds it fulfilling to help preserve weaving and creating jobs for her countrywomen.
“It gives them an income for their families and helps them to rise out of poverty,” she says.
“It’s great to show silk products woven by Lao women to tourists, who always buy a souvenir to take home.”
