About Jugu Indigo

Jugu is the creation of Jess Yang; Jugu means ‘mountain’ in the people's Naxi language, which has one of the few forms of pictographic writing remaining in the world. The indigo plant is indigenous to this area of the Eastern Himalayas, and the traditional techniques of tie-dye, shibori and batik are widely used. Jugu works with local women to inspire them to create beauty using traditional patterns in contemporary ways.

ZHARAN (TIE-DYE)

Is a very traditional pattern making technique dating back over 1500 years in Yunnan. This ancient craft is hand made by complex string tying before the fabrics is natural indigo dyed, which is then untied to reveal patterns.

ZHOUWEN (SHIBORI)

Another ancient Chinese technique, using stitching instead of tying also dates back
over 1000 years. Artisans hand stitch fabric together before dying. When unstitched, the patterns are revealed. This technique allows for more precise designs that look surprisingly contemporary.

LARAN (BATIK)

Famous in the mountains of Guizhou, generations of women have used delicate
brass tools and beeswax to create intricate hand painted patterns on cloth. The fabric is then natural indigo dyed. When boiled to remove the wax the motifs are revealed. Jess has worked with these artisans to create contemporary patterns using these ancient techniques.