Carol Cassidy Brings Laotian Silk Weaving to Asia Society New York
UPDATE 2013: Carol Cassidy returns to Asia Society New York from 12:30-3:30 pm on Friday, April 5, 2013 and Saturday, April 6, 2013 to showcase an expansive array of her latest textiles including her signature brocades, jacquard weaves and ikats. More details here.
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NEW YORK — Today through Saturday, Asia Society's AsiaStore is hosting Lao Textiles founder Carol Cassidy, who will display a wide range of her latest silk scarves and wall hangings and sign copies of her book Weaving Tradition.
A weaver since she was 17 years old, Cassidy arrived in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, as a textile expert working for the United Nations in 1989. A year later the Laotian government granted her a license to start Lao Textiles, making her the first American to run a business in the communist country.
Lao Textiles was founded specifically to revitalize the once-flourishing Laotian textile sector, via weavings that combine centuries-old techniques with a modern sensibility.
Slideshow: Carol Cassidy and Lao Textiles
Shop AsiaStore for Carol Cassidy and Lao Textiles
Video: Carol Cassidy explains creativity behind Laotian weaving techniques (7 min., 1 sec.)