Hmong Embroidery

HA11: The collar of this woman’s jacket signifies an association with the White Hmong of Sayaboury provinces or Luang Prabang provinces, Laos. The motif depicted involves a maze, and is similar to one also typically utilized by Green Hmong. This style of collar is called Dab Tshos Dhos.

By Mai Chang, 1982, 59x58x104 cm
Photo by Xai S. Lor, item at the Hmong Archives

HA12: This women’s jacket is associated with the Hmong from Sayaboury province, Laos. The women in this region wear a red and black headdress. The jacket was made with synthetic, polyester and cotton fabric. As with most Hmong women’s jackets, there is a collar attached the back. The appliqué style collar features an elaborate design and is known as Dab Tsho Dhos.

By Mai Chang, 1982, 68x58x115 cm

Photo by Xai S. Lor, item at the Hmong Archives

HA13: This White Hmong woman’s jacket was made out of synthetic material and satin trim fabric. Most Hmong jackets are similar, except for the designs, motifs, and colors of the collar at the back. On the collar, quadrant zigzags are depicted as well, this is a motif, however, uniquely belonging to the Hmong from Xieng Khouang Province. The collar is done in reverse appliqué.

By an unknown artist, 1990s, 71x60x42 cm
Photo by Xai S. Lor, item at the Hmong Cultural Center

HA14: This is a Green Hmong Women’s jacket. This particular style is unique to a group of Green Hmong from Moos Pheej, located in Northeastern, Laos. The jacket is made with
synthetic fabrics. The frontal plackets are decorated with multiple colors in read, purple, pink, white and black. A Green Hmong collar is attached on the back of the jacket.

By Mr. and Mrs. Zeej Thao, Thailand, 2012, 60x57x53 cm
Photo by Xai S. Lor, item at the Hmong Cultural Center

HA15: This jacket originated with a branch of Hmong called the Striped Hmong, hence the blue and black bands on the sleeves. The Striped Hmong are from the Northeast region of Laos. The collar of cotton and synthetic fabrics attached to the back involved the use of reverse appliqué and appliqué techniques. The jacket itself is made of a synthetic fabric.

By Pob Tsuas Lauj, Thailand, 1992, 57x69x138 cm
Photo by Xai S. Lor, item at the Hmong Archives

HA16: This Green Hmong girl’s jacket plackets were constructed with monk’s cloth, and
include cross-stitch snail embroidery, as well as mountain motifs in appliqué. They are
decorated with silver coins which are also used for ornaments. The cuffs are decorated with snail and heart cross-stitch motifs and mountain appliqués.

By an unknown artist, 1990s, 37x38x21 cm
Photo by Noah Vang, item at the Hmong Cultural Center

HA17: This is a Green Hmong men’s jacket. It is made with satin fabric with a much simpler design than the women’s jacket. There is little or no decoration except for the buttons. Typically, the buttons would be handmade and hand tied using fabric as buttons.

By Mr. and Mrs. Zeej Thao, Thailand, 2012, 63x40x48 cm
Photo by Xai S. Lor, item at the Hmong Cultural Center

HA18: This is a Green Hmong man’s jacket. It is relatively short, covering only the chest area and exposing the stomach. It is made with cotton, polyester, monk’s cloth, and cotton threads. The jacket is decorated with diamond and star motifs. The front placket section is embroidered with cross-stitches on monk’s cloth. The motifs utilized involve a combination of snails, ram’s horns, and hearts. Similarly, the cuffs are done in cross-stitches and appliqué work in motifs of diamonds, stars, and mountains. The channels and mountain motifs were embroidered utilizing an appliqué technique. The stars and cuff embroidery were machine-made.

By an unknown artist, 1980s-1990s, 34x49x38 cm
Photo by Noah Vang, item at the Hmong Cultural Center

HA19: This White Hmong man’s jacket is made of satin and synethic fabric. It does not
feature any embroidery work or motifs. However, it does have nyias khawm (buttons) to fasten the jacket.

By an unknown artist, 1990s, 62x54x42 cm
Photo by Xai S. Lor, item at the Hmong Cultural Center

HA20: This is a Hmong man’s vest, and it features a regional style commonly found among the Xieng Khouang Hmong of Laos. The stripes on the vest are decorated with appliqué and reverse appliqué techniques, with motifs of snails, steps, and mountains.

By an unknown artist, 1990s, 51x43 cm
Photo by Noah Vang, item at the Hmong Cultural Center