What is Dong Cloth?
Dong cloth is one of the rarest handmade fabrics in the world. It’s made entirely by hand with natural materials. Each piece takes 36 steps and a whole village a year to produce just 200 meters.
When we first found this cloth in 2013, the tradition was slowly disappearing.
So, what made us spend a decade reviving it?
In this blog, we’ll share the story behind, how it inspired our designs, and how we’re supporting over 10,000 local artisans and women to keep this tradition alive.
A Journey That Started with Curiosity
In 2013, during a research trip to Guizhou, China, our design team first encountered Dong-Cloth at a quiet village in the mountains. We were immediately drawn to its soft texture, subtle blue-violet sheen, and quiet elegance—distinguished from anything we’d seen before.
As we learned more from the local artisans, what truly amazed us was the story behind it: a craft rooted in nature, shaped by patience, and passed down through generations.
A Cloth Too Special to Sell
We were eager to bring this cloth home. But when we asked to buy it, the local women just smiled and say no. Not because they didn’t want to share—but because it was too precious.
For generations, Dong women have passed down this craft, which uses only natural materials—cotton grown in the fields, hand-spun thread, plant-based dyes, and traditional weaving methods. Even with great effort, a village can produce only 100 to 200 meters a year. They used it only for the most important moments in life—weddings, celebrations, and special family gifts.
Earning Trust
We didn’t give up. Captivated by its spirit, we chose to stay. We lived alongside the artisans, listened to their stories, and watched their hands bring the cloth to life. Little by little, they began to trust us.
One day, they agreed to sell us a small amount of cloth. That was the beginning of our journey.
From then on, we didn't just buy cloth—we worked together and became friends, creating modern handbags with Dong cloth side by side.
When Craftsmanship Meets Challenge
Transforming Dong cloth into modern handbags wasn’t easy. There was no roadmap. It took nearly a decade of experimenting—refining materials, adjusting shapes, improving durability and water-resistance—before we created a bag that could meet today’s needs without losing its original charm.
The Spark That Brought It to Life
What makes Dong cloth truly exceptional is not just its scarcity, but its character. It carries a unique deep blue-violet sheen that seems to glow gently with time, a look that can’t be replicated by machines. It’s soft yet strong, natural yet refined, rooted in heritage yet timeless in style.
What you see in our Dong Collection is the result of that journey. Each piece carries the legacy of a people, the touch of a hand, and the love we’ve poured into this timeless art form. We hope you’ll feel that connection too.
Our Cultural Mission
At Bampo, we’re committed to preserving this endangered tradition. For every handbag sold from our Dong Collection, we donate a portion of proceeds through the Bampo Folk Art Foundation to support local artisans.
We purchase Dong cloth directly from village makers at fair prices and offer training in handbag design and embroidery, helping artisans adapt their traditional skills to today’s fashion needs. By doing so, they can stay in their hometowns, raise their families, and earn a sustainable income with dignity.
We also work to share Dong culture with the world. In 2014, we opened the Dong Art Center to showcase Dong heritage. In 2024, we brought Dong cloth bags to the Cannes Film Festival and a Cultural Fashion Show in Guangzhou.
Real Change in Real Lives
Thanks to more than 10 years of effort, over 10,000 people in our partner villages now help make Dong cloth — most of them are women.
Almost every household is involved, and Dong cloth now provides about one-third of the village's income.
This income helps families improve education, access better healthcare, and build stronger futures.
We’re not just saving a tradition—we’re changing lives.
Many customers are touched by the story. One woman, after buying a few Dong cloth bags, told us:
I just want to help these women make a living and care for their children. This is my way of supporting them.
That’s what makes this project so special.
Looking Ahead
Our goal is simple: to keep Dong culture alive—not just in China, but around the world.
Because this is more than fabric or fashion, it’s a story of heritage, love, and the people behind it.
The story is still being written, and we’re excited for what’s to come. We hope you’ll stay with us for the next chapter.
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