Stitching Family Ties with Fabric: Keeping Culture Alive
A piece of fabric is not just cloth; it carries cultural imprints, family connections, and the warmth of memories. Sisters Su Tsung-Hsuan and Liu Tzu-An, second-generation new immigrants, draw inspiration from their father's homeland, Nepal, blending it with the local characteristics of Yunlin to create handcrafted, eco-friendly fabric bags rich with stories and warmth.
Their creations are not only well-received but also earned recognition in the "Dream Building Project" organized by the National Immigration Agency. Their success stands as a powerful testament to the deep integration of new immigrant families into Taiwanese society. These fabric bags are more than just eco-friendly products-they are pieces of art that carry memories and dreams, symbolizing the limitless possibilities of cultural fusion and innovation.
A Father's Sewing: Weaving the Bond Between Two Homes
In this beautiful convergence of culture and environmental consciousness, their father, Liu Ping-Han, played a pivotal role. Originally from Nepal, Liu Ping-Han was once a manager at a five-star hotel in Kathmandu. In his youth, he fell in love with a Taiwanese teacher named Su Chiang-Hui, and together they built a family.
After moving to Taiwan, Liu Ping-Han faced challenges with language and cultural differences. Yet, he chose to express his love for his homeland through sewing. His needlework not only brought the warmth of Nepal to his family but also became an unforgettable part of his daughters' childhood.
Liu Han-Ping (second from the right) faced language and cultural challenges, yet skillfully integrated Nepalese culture into everyday life through sewing techniques. (Image/Source: Citizen News)
Su Tsung-Hsuan and Liu Tzu-An grew up to the sound of their father's sewing machine, learning how to transform pieces of fabric into vibrant creations. For them, each stitch is more than just craftsmanship-it's an emotional thread connecting Nepal and Taiwan. Their fabric bag designs beautifully showcase Nepalese culture while serving as a unique "new immigrant language," telling stories of family and home.
Sewing: A Journey of Love and Dreams
Looking ahead, the sisters hope to continue intertwining environmental awareness and cultural heritage in their work. Their design philosophy centers on "upcycling", aiming to incorporate more traditional Nepalese craftsmanship while promoting eco-friendly practices. Each bag is envisioned as a symbol of both cultural preservation and sustainable living.
However, their aspirations go beyond fabric bags. The sisters hope their journey will inspire other new immigrants and second-generation individuals to cherish their cultural roots. They believe that language and culture should not be limitations but rather sources of strength that enable them to shine on both local and global stages.
When discussing the future, Su Tsung-Hsuan (first from the left) and Liu Tzu-An (second from the left) expressed their hope to focus on "upcycling" as the core of their designs, incorporating more traditional Nepalese culture and the spirit of environmental sustainability. (Image/Source: Citizen News)
With their needle and thread, these sisters are stitching their dreams into reality-infusing each handmade bag with love, culture, and environmental values. Their work is more than just design; it's a heartfelt journey of family bonds, cultural inheritance, and sustainability.
Inspiring Quote:💡 "If you dare to dream, you have a chance to live the life you envision."
