Zhoucheng · Plant dye 周城 · 植物染

Indigo and sappan, vat by vat. Much of what is sold online as “Dali tie-dye” is chemical dye from somewhere else.

板蓝根、苏木，一缸一缸地染。线上能代发的「大理扎染」，很多其实是别处的化学染。

Zhoucheng is a Bai village north of Dali. Tie-dye here is still a working craft, not a performance put on for visitors.

周城是大理北面的白族村子，扎染在这里不是景点表演，是还在用的手艺。

Plant dye depends on the vat and the weather. The same length of cloth comes out a little darker, a little lighter. That is why the vats have to be seen in person: standing beside them is how a chemical imitation is told from the real work.

植物染靠的是染缸和天气，同一块布也会有深浅。这正是值得亲自去看的理由：只有站在缸边，才分得出是不是化学染的仿品。

For the first collection, lakenote is looking at scarves, kerchiefs, and table runners. Cloth travels well, and it suits sending direct from the workshop. No workshop has been confirmed yet. Real names will be written here after a visit, once terms are agreed.

湖记第一批想做围巾、方巾和桌旗。布料不怕摔，也适合产地直发。工坊和匠人还没有定，等实地看过、谈妥之后，再写上真实的名字。