Every once in a while I stumble across a company that is doing such unique and beautiful things with textiles that my breath is taken away. Something tells me you are going to feel the very same way about ofANTIQUE.
ofANTIQUE is the brainchild of a creative and talented woman named Rita, and was born during a voyage to South East Asia that she took with her children. While in Thailand she discovered a wonderful world of antique textiles made by the sublimely talented hill-tribe women whose cultures are rich with the ancient traditions of textile production. The result is a stunningly beautiful selection of handmade bags and garments made using original antique textiles. You can also choose your own vintage textile from Rita’s stash to create a custom bag of your choice.
Happy shopping.
UPDATE: I was so excited about finding ofANTIQUE that I didn’t wait to hear back from Rita before I posted this blog… but I have since received a lovely note from her and wanted to share more info for those interested!
FROM RITA OF OFANTIQUE… I am Portuguese, living in Bali now with my husband and 2 kids. Before OFANTIQUE started, i came to Bali, felt in Love for this amazingly beautiful and spiritually profound place. Then i continued the trip with my kids and stopped in Thailand also. It was there where OFANTIQUE started and it was something totally unplanned, it just happened that i felt in love with those Antique textiles and i thought of the idea of making high end bags as sometimes i would see people there, making things out of them but without the quality and design those amazing textiles deserve. My bags are still produced in Thailand and the kids line i am producing here in Bali. In March i will come up with the Women´s dress line, which is gonna have beautiful ones with a perfect mix of unique Antique details and the finest silks for summer. Everything i do is of course Limited edition because Antique textiles are limited and unique. For the kids line for example, i only produce when i have antique pieces that are damage some how and need to be recycled. Also for the bags, at this very moment i don´t have much stock and that is because last year it was more difficult to find those baby carriers. What gives me more work in fact, is the searching and the finding of those good and special pieces. Sometimes is exhausting but it is really worth it when i find some special ones. Hopefully, there is someone i am in contact with which might be the contacting i need as a new source for the baby carriers and this is Ofantique, a small and full of dedication business that comes from my heart and passion for traveling and everything ethnic like these textiles that makes us wonder and dream.
So sweet Krista! Thank you again!!!
Krista and Rita – so fun to see this post. I’m from Chicago and recently moved to Bangkok 6 months ago. I traveled here once several years ago, as well as to Bali, and didn’t leave without a hilltribe bag and random fabrics. Without doubt the textiles in SE Asia are remarkable. I’ve traveled recently to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand and visited the women of the Karen tribe and witnessed their field work. I’m in the process of starting a small interior design business here in Bangkok. Will keep an eye on ofANTIQUE. Love the addition of great leather to the pieces. Any thoughts about or plans for “home” products in your line? P.S. I also adore Portugal – Cascais/Sintra. Cheers.
Carla, nice to hear your feedback. Bangkok is a huge city! There´s so much there to find! A lot of Antiques too.
Ofantique is growing step by step. I would like to sell mostly the antique textiles as what they are, but people ask me for other things like clothes, pillows, etc. I will start working with a fashion designer by the end of february, she is coming to Bali, so i hope by the end of march i will have some dresses to show. :-)
I have also been thinking on doing some home products too. I have been working with balinese artists ( painters ) for the kids t-shirts and i a thinking in exploring the hand paintings for different things also.
I would be happy to explore ideas and let me know if you would like to order somethings from Bali or Indonesia for your shop. Besides Ofantique, i am also starting to sell different stuff to Brasil.
Best of luck in this new life in BKK. :-)