Episode 27: Not Your Average Hmong Clothes

Social media has really changed our generation’s access to Hmong clothes. Platforms like Facebook have allowed Hmong Americans to be high consumers of Hmong clothes and accessories via an online Hmong clothing market. We invited textile artist and expert, Sheng Lor, to discuss the history and trends of Hmong textiles and clothing and the social-political impacts of the Hmong textiles market. We also dive into the transnational supply-and-demand relationship between Hmong women makers and consumers, and share our own stories of our own relationships with Hmong clothes. We hope you enjoy this episode and reflect on your own journey with Hmong clothes and/or how to become a more conscious consumer!

Learn more about Sheng and her work on our Episode 27 resources page here. There, you will also find resources for starting a small business.


THIS EPISODE IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON:

Spotify | SoundCloud | Apple Podcast | Stitcher


#SmallBusiness Sundays!

We were so moved by our conversation with Sheng and her passion and mission to tell the stories of Hmong women who make textiles that we decided to start a series on Instagram live featuring stories from Hmong women makers and small business owners. In August, we started a #SmallBusines Sundays series in the lead up to National Small Business Week; it was so popular, we continued it through October! We hope you’ll tune in below or on Instagram and follow the series! Below are some of our latest conversations.