895433 - Phi Yoo

" I belong to the Hmong mountain tribe, and I am proud of it."

Phi Yoo captured our hearts from the very first day. At home, she makes hemp backpacks for virblatt with a few friends who specialize in producing backpacks. In her small, inconspicuous sewing workshop, our high-quality virblatt backpacks are made from a combination of hemp, ethnic weaving, and embroidery. The result is a harmonious blend of craftsmanship that gives us the opportunity to let off a little steam and push the boundaries of our design ideas.

Phi Yoo has captured our hearts, but why does she have our trust?

Working with friends

At Phi Yoo’s, each product she makes is created in collaboration with friends who are just as passionate about their craft as she is. They work for equal pay in a relaxed and open working environment where every employee is encouraged to showcase their individual style.

Alternative materials

Hemp has been part of their history for years. The Hmong mountain tribe in northern Thailand mastered the art of working with this material before we had even heard of it. The embroidery and weaving details she uses to honor her heritage in the items she makes come from generations of artisans before her, who passed down their knowledge to make the most of these local textiles.

A celebration of her ethnic heritage

Phi Yoo grew up embroidering with her parents, who learned the craft from their parents. Her traditional approach to creating these intricate designs pays tribute to the origins of her culture many years ago. Today, the striking cross-stitching of Hmong tribal garments adorns many of our products and is an essential part of our character at virblatt.

Quality

Since we began working with her, Phi Yoo has done everything possible to improve and refine our bag designs, ensuring that they are durable, sturdy, and ergonomic. We could not be prouder of the dedication she has shown us in providing you with high-quality products that demonstrate her expertise.

Since she often works on such a small scale, it can be difficult to expect her to keep up with orders, especially given the care and attention that go into every design. So we have learned to communicate with her, accept her situation, and not let her be rushed or put under pressure, so that she can focus on the artistry behind her craft.

We have grown very fond of her, simply because we are so grateful for her smiling and positive nature. That is why we love her and are so grateful for the opportunity to work alongside her to create unique bags that shed light on her culture and traditions.