When I started Textiil, I knew I wanted to raise awareness of the rich textile traditions from Malaysia and Indonesia, to help broaden the market for the cloth and to provide income to the artisans and business people involved in the making and selling of the cloth.  In addition, to engage and employ people here in the US for additional product components and craftsmanship.   As I source my batik, one of the challenges has been sourcing "clean" batik.   Slowly I am pulling together a group of individuals and companies using natural dyes, and/or filtering the water from the dying process.  I'm definitely making headway, but the pace of change is a little bit slow!  So I am very happy to announce that Textiil has joined the community at 1% for the Planet. Our contribution will support three organizations: Cityseed in New Haven, CT, the Malaysia Nature Society, and East Bali Poverty Project.  Done!  (And well in advance of the holidays -- when we'll introduce a line of ornaments and mugs based on design cues from some of our favorite batiks).  Learn more about how 1% for the Planet members have contributed over 100 million dollars to sustainability initiatives!

Yesterday, my friend Karen was choosing new pillows for her guest bedroom. She really liked two very different pillows -- which reminded me of a great little slideshow on House Beautiful  titled "1 Sofa, 6 Different Looks."   Changing your pillows is a fun, and relatively inexpensive way to refresh a room.  A large neutral sofa and relatively soft neutral bedding colors provides the perfect setting -- she really can change the look and feel of the room by simply changing her pillows.  For herself and her guests, her favorites are the bright, bold orange and red stripe batik pillows in the photo.  But when her son comes home, she'll revert back to a calm, crisp and modern look with blue and green clouds on a natural background.  (I love pillows).

As summer transitions to fall, it's always a pleasure to see what the upcoming museum season will offer.  Here are two noteworthy exhibits that featuring textiles from Asia:

In New York, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Interwoven Globe: The Worldwide Textile Trade, 1500-1800.  Using textiles from the Museum's collection plus international loans, the exhibit will explore the impact and influence on designs, processes, materials and aesthetics as evidenced through the trade routes between Europe and Asia, and eventually to the Americas from "the golden age of European exploration."

Beginning September 15th, UCLA's Fowler Museum presents Fowler in Focus: Fiftieth Anniversary Gifts  within the Intersections: World Arts, Local Lives long term exhibit. Featuring milestone anniversary gifts to the Fowler, the first installation will focus on art from Asia with an emphasis on textiles -- and will include pieces from both Indonesia and Malaysia.

Tell us if there is an upcoming exhibit you'd like us to write about.