The Ancient Fabric That No One Knows How to Make

An article from Zaria Gorvett for the BBC news, March 16th

“Nearly 200 years ago, Dhaka muslin was the most valuable fabric on the planet. Then it was lost altogether. How did this happen? And can we bring it back?”

Dhaka muslin- Historically produced in what is now known as Bangladesh from the Phuti karpas-cotton variety, this 800-1200 thread count textile is higher than any other cotton that exists today- Also known as "baft-hawa", literally "woven air".

This is a beautiful article about history and process, material and commodification, greed and a desire to rebuild what has been lost. The article touches on the effects that European colonization had on the downfall of the cultivation and production of this delicate fabric and the dedicated hands that are now working to revive a lost art.