Dobby and Jacquard Woven Fabrics
"Our approach to textiles is distinct in its technical depth and artistic breadth. Students are encouraged to draw paint and work by hand, while also learning advanced computer programs and industrial techniques. This combination results in work that is structurally sophisticated yet expressively free. Above all, it’s highly personal. End use is considered throughout the creative process, often resulting in entirely new discoveries for apparel, interior and fine arts applications.”
Anais Missakian | professor + department head | RISD TEXTILES
Laura's dobby and jacquard work is a profound exploration of light and space. Using the industrial jacquard loom and its extensive potential for woven structure, Laura manipulates the yarn color and quality to recreate a deep feeling and atmosphere. Her meditation practice brings a more acute sensitivity focus and awareness to light and energy. It is this both subtle and powerful experience that inspires her to create these artworks. Though the primary purpose of these pieces is creative expression, each could be applied to interior furnishings or installed in a public space as a way to transform and bring new intensity to the surroundings.
Laura uses the Pointcarre woven design software to design fabrics for both personal and commercial projects. For more information regarding her offerings please contact Laura directly.
DOBBY AND JACQUARD DESIGN
Dobby and Jacquard Woven Fabrics
"Our approach to textiles is distinct in its technical depth and artistic breadth. Students are encouraged to draw paint and work by hand, while also learning advanced computer programs and industrial techniques. This combination results in work that is structurally sophisticated yet expressively free. Above all, it’s highly personal. End use is considered throughout the creative process, often resulting in entirely new discoveries for apparel, interior and fine arts applications.”
Anais Missakian | professor + department head | RISD TEXTILES
Laura's dobby and jacquard work is a profound exploration of light and space. Using the industrial jacquard loom and its extensive potential for woven structure, Laura manipulates the yarn color and quality to recreate a deep feeling and atmosphere. Her meditation practice brings a more acute sensitivity focus and awareness to light and energy. It is this both subtle and powerful experience that inspires her to create these artworks. Though the primary purpose of these pieces is creative expression, each could be applied to interior furnishings or installed in a public space as a way to transform and bring new intensity to the surroundings.
Laura uses the Pointcarre woven design software to design fabrics for both personal and commercial projects. For more information regarding her offerings please contact Laura directly.
DOBBY AND JACQUARD DESIGN
Dobby and Jacquard Woven Fabrics
"Our approach to textiles is distinct in its technical depth and artistic breadth. Students are encouraged to draw paint and work by hand, while also learning advanced computer programs and industrial techniques. This combination results in work that is structurally sophisticated yet expressively free. Above all, it’s highly personal. End use is considered throughout the creative process, often resulting in entirely new discoveries for apparel, interior and fine arts applications.”
Anais Missakian | professor + department head | RISD TEXTILES
Laura's dobby and jacquard work is a profound exploration of light and space. Using the industrial jacquard loom and its extensive potential for woven structure, Laura manipulates the yarn color and quality to recreate a deep feeling and atmosphere. Her meditation practice brings a more acute sensitivity focus and awareness to light and energy. It is this both subtle and powerful experience that inspires her to create these artworks. Though the primary purpose of these pieces is creative expression, each could be applied to interior furnishings or installed in a public space as a way to transform and bring new intensity to the surroundings.
Laura uses the Pointcarre woven design software to design fabrics for both personal and commercial projects. For more information regarding her offerings please contact Laura directly.
DOBBY AND JACQUARD DESIGN
Dobby and Jacquard Woven Fabrics
"Our approach to textiles is distinct in its technical depth and artistic breadth. Students are encouraged to draw paint and work by hand, while also learning advanced computer programs and industrial techniques. This combination results in work that is structurally sophisticated yet expressively free. Above all, it’s highly personal. End use is considered throughout the creative process, often resulting in entirely new discoveries for apparel, interior and fine arts applications.”
Anais Missakian | professor + department head | RISD TEXTILES
Laura's dobby and jacquard work is a profound exploration of light and space. Using the industrial jacquard loom and its extensive potential for woven structure, Laura manipulates the yarn color and quality to recreate a deep feeling and atmosphere. Her meditation practice brings a more acute sensitivity focus and awareness to light and energy. It is this both subtle and powerful experience that inspires her to create these artworks. Though the primary purpose of these pieces is creative expression, each could be applied to interior furnishings or installed in a public space as a way to transform and bring new intensity to the surroundings.
Laura uses the Pointcarre woven design software to design fabrics for both personal and commercial projects. For more information regarding her offerings please contact Laura directly.
DOBBY AND JACQUARD DESIGN
TESTIMONIALS
PRINT DESIGN
TEXTILE TOURS
TEXTILE TOURS
TESTIMONIALS
PRINT DESIGN
TEXTILE TOURS
I really wish to recommend Laura for our professional collaboration during 4 years. I am the head of design of Paris Line in ICICLE group and she was responsible for fabric for Paris line and print manager for ICICLE. She is very professional. She listens to the needs of the fashion designer. She is very serious. She is precise and reactive. She is also fast in the execution and is not afraid of changes at the last minute. And yes, as the fashion changes all the time; cancellation then new launchs at the end. She knows how to express her opinion when we wish it. In brief, Laura is complete in her job, technically and creatively. And the fact intelligently. With the real human values. Thank you Laura and good luck for your new projects.
Bénédicte Laloux, Head of Design, ICICLE Paris
I really wish to recommend Laura for our professional collaboration during 4 years. I am the head of design of Paris Line in ICICLE group and she was responsible for fabric for Paris line and print manager for ICICLE. She is very professional. She listens to the needs of the fashion designer. She is very serious. She is precise and reactive. She is also fast in the execution and is not afraid of changes at the last minute. And yes, as the fashion changes all the time; cancellation then new launchs at the end. She knows how to express her opinion when we wish it. In brief, Laura is complete in her job, technically and creatively. And the fact intelligently. With the real human values. Thank you Laura and good luck for your new projects.
Bénédicte Laloux, Head of Design, ICICLE Paris
I really wish to recommend Laura for our professional collaboration during 4 years. I am the head of design of Paris Line in ICICLE group and she was responsible for fabric for Paris line and print manager for ICICLE. She is very professional. She listens to the needs of the fashion designer. She is very serious. She is precise and reactive. She is also fast in the execution and is not afraid of changes at the last minute. And yes, as the fashion changes all the time; cancellation then new launchs at the end. She knows how to express her opinion when we wish it. In brief, Laura is complete in her job, technically and creatively. And the fact intelligently. With the real human values. Thank you Laura and good luck for your new projects.
Bénédicte Laloux, Head of Design, ICICLE Paris
TESTIMONIALS
Coming soon...
Coming soon...
WEAVING TWO WORLDS TEXTILE TOUR
AN EXCLUSIVE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
AMDO REGION, TIBETAN PLATEAU
To be on the waitlist for the 2019 Textile Tour:
10,500 feet up (3,200 meters) on the grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau...
Nomads, Buddhist monks and thousands of years of culture...
Empowering our minds, bodies and the local community…
ANOTHER KIND OF LUXURY
Our eight-day comprehensive textile tour will give you an exclusive behind the scenes and hands-on experience of Norlha Textiles. Norlha is an enterprise that weaves together the two apparently opposing worlds of tradition and modernity. From the animal in the pasture, to the gifted hands of their artisans, Norlha's product is a result of the rich heritage of the Tibetan Plateau. Norlha also utilizes modern technology, having developed the Tibetan Plateau's first ever Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, to benefit the local nomads, helping them to expand the business and to meet the high demands of the modern market place. Norlha has collaborated with top fashion designers and high-end Paris fashion houses and has now established a brand of their own. Their approach to sustainability is to support the local nomads by providing them with sustainable employment opportunities, which gives them a stable income, to keep families together and traditions alive. In a world where fast fashion dominates, Norlha offers a product that will last a lifetime, and that will be shared with generations to come.
You are invited to join our textile tour experiencing the rich traditions of the Tibetan culture. We will explore the famous Labrang Tashi Kyil Monastery and visit a local nomad cooperative. Our textile professional, Laura Shirreff, will guide us on this journey of a lifetime. We will witness the meticulous artisanal production during our visit to the Norlha rug weaving workshop as well the atelier at Zorge Ritoma. We will engage in extensive dialogue with the founder of Norlha, Dechen Yeshi, learning about the intricacies of Norlha from the fiber to the finished product. Equipped with our own personal tapestry loom, we will experience the exclusive Norhla yarn and fiber first hand through weaving and felting activities. During our tour we will also have the opportunity to relax and recharge in the awe-inspiring natural environment and enjoy the luxuries and amenities of Norden Camp. We will indulge in the fine seasonal and organic Tibetan cuisine, take time out in the Norden spa and revitalize with an evening yoga class.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Travel, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Staggered airport pickups from Xiahe Airport (XHE), Lanzhou Airport (LHW), and Lanzhou hotels. Settle in at Norlha guest house, relax, and acclimatize to the altitude. Orientation and welcome dinner.
Day 2: Visit Norlha, Tour with Dechen Yeshi
Morning Norlha tour and discussion with Dechen Yeshi. Lunch at Norlha's guest house.
Afternoon tour of Ritoma Village. Overnight stay at Norlha's guest house.
Day 3: Tour of the local Village, Felting Activity
Morning hands-on felting activity with Norlha's exclusive yak fiber. Afternoon visit to Sky Monastery.Overnight stay at Norlha's guest house.
Day 4: Travel to Norden Camp, Relaxation, Spa and Yoga Class
Morning scenic drive to Norden Camp. Camp tour and orientation.
Afternoon time to relax and enjoy the Norden hot tub and sauna. Evening yoga class.
Day 5: Labrang Monastary Tour, Shopping in the Local Markets
Morning guided tour of Labrang Tashi Kyil Monastery. Afternoon time to explore the historic town and shop for ethnic food, traditional clothing and souvenirs in the popular local markets.
Day 6: Visit the Lungta Cooperative, Relaxation and Yoga Class
Morning journey to meet local nomads at the Lungta cooperative and experience the yak-based delicacies. Afternoon free time to relax. Evening yoga class.
Day 7: Visit Norlha's Carpet Weaving Workshop, Weaving Activity
Morning visit to Norlha's carpet weaving workshop. Afternoon tapestry loom weaving instruction and time to work on personal woven art project.
Day 8: Final Farewells and Departures
Parting blessings and transfers to airports.
8-DAY IMMERSION (per person)
Shared Tent: $2,200USD | Shared Cabin: $2,800USD | Single Cabin: $3,600USD
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
3 Nights at Norlha Textiles Guesthouse
4 Nights at Norden Camp
All Meals (Lunch/Dinner Day 1, Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Days 2-7, Breakfast Day 8)
All Ground Transportation
All Activities & Guides
Personal Tapestry Loom and Access to Norlha's Exclusive Yarn and Fiber During the Tour
TO BE ARRANGED BY GUESTS:
Airfare
We recommend flights into:
Xiahe Airpoirt (GXH), a 30-minute drive to Camp, accessible worldwide via Lhasa, Chengdu, and Xi'an (recommended site for Xiahe flight: www.ctrip.com).
Lanzhou Airport (LHW), a 4.5-hour drive to Camp, accessible worldwide via major Chinese cities.
Visa
A Chinese visa is generally required to enter China (please consult your country's embassy and China visa policy). No Tibet Autonomous Region (T.A.R.) special permit is needed to enter this region of the Tibetan Plateau.
Travel Insurance
Kindly consult your local travel insurance agency.
Incidentals
We recommend bringing extra spending money for additional food and alcohol, Norlha purchases, souvenirs, etc.