Samatoa, an eco textile company, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Samatoa is a social enterprise of textile (manufacturer of clothing in silk and other natural fibers) founded in Cambodia in 2003 on the three pillars of sustainable development : economic efficiency, social equity and protection of the environment.
Since the beginning in 2003, the Samatoa's founder values have remained the same: the customer satisfaction, the impeccable quality of the products combined with a sustainable, environmental and social respect. The heart of the Samatoa's expertise relies on its workshops in which the farmers, the spinners, the weavers, the tailors and the partners share daily the same ambitions.
One of the Samatoa's objective is to connect the luxury market to the poorest persons: by buying one luxury jacket, a consumer provides 2 months of working.
The main Lotus Farm is located in Battambang, around an amazing giant lake. Given the needs to produce lotus garments in quantity for high end clients, the company has created a second one in Siem Reap, near Phnom Krom. In this place, Samatoa now harvests 20 hectares of the Lotus Lake, employs 30 farmers, spinners and weavers.
The Lotus Farm aims to create 500 jobs in 5 years.
In order to share its expertise, come to visit our workshop and discover an exclusive discovery of a unique handmade process to create the most ecological textile: the lotus fabric.
A meaningful production
Lotus flower is the symbol of divine purity in many Asian cultures, appearing in the hands of the sacred Buddha. It was historically used to make robes for high-ranking Buddhist monks. The Lotus has played a major part in Asian folklore, and is a particularly important icon in the homes of many weavers.
The Harvest of Lotus Flowers Stems
The lotus fiber exclusively comes from the Sacred Lotus which provides the most soft, breathable and bright fiber. The farmers select the stems according to their level of maturity. They are picked by boat, 4 times per day, 1 ton per week. The lotus fields are entirely transplanted every three years to preserve the best quality. The first trade secret of the lotus fabric is to transform the fibers in thread conserving its full properties: as an aquatic plant, the lotus fibers have to be extracted and transformed in an aquatic middle.
After the harvest, the stems are brought to the factory where there are cleaned to take off the prickles and the impurities before the spinning.
The Spinning, a Crucial Step of the Process
The spinning is the stage which consists in transforming the lotus fiber in a thread.
After cleaning, spinners carefully cut around the stems and pull their extremities to extract the lotus fibers. Twelve layers of fiber must be superimposed and rolled with precaution and precision to produce a high quality thread. The second trade secret is in line with what is probably the most meticulous part of the process: to put the different pieces of thread together without visible junction and without any weakness. The thread has to be very regular. Without this attention, it will break during the weaving and decrease the quality of the fabric. One meter of lotus fabric needs 3000 meters of lotus fibers.
When the thread is finished, it is wound on to a skein winder and dried. One spinner produces 250 meters of thread per day. To produce one jacket, it needs 4 meters of fabric or 12000 meters of fiber, which means 2 months of work for a spinner. Because of its complexity, this process must be realized exclusively by hand.
And the lotus thread becomes fabric: the weaving
Before weaving, the yarn is twisted to increase its strength and then wounded around a skein few times. Then, the preparation of the loom takes 15 days. A 50 meters fabric roll is weaved in 2 months. This twisted thread is wound around reels placed on quills into a wooden shuttle which is send through the space formed by the yarns. The weaver switches the position of the pedals and repeat the same movement. One weaver produces one meter of lotus fabric per day.
A fabric with remarkable properties
Lotus fabric has unique properties: it is an amazing soft, light and breathable fabric.
It is the most ecological fabric as:
- It doesn't contains any chemical or toxic products,
- The manufacturing process doesn't requires any petrol, gas or electricity power,
- It doesn't use any added water,
- The lotus flower is an efficient phyto-sanitary plant which cleans the water and protects the ecosystem by preserving fishes and insects,
- All the process of fabrication is entirely sustainable.
Would you like to discover more about natural fibers within our Eco textile business ?
Awen Delaval
Mail : gm@samatoa.com
Facebook : facebook.com/samatoa.eco
Samatoa - Twitter : @samatoa2003
Lotus Farm by Samatoa, Siem Reap, Cambodge
Bienvenue à la Lotus Farm de Samatoa, un concept unique au monde.
La Lotus Farm présente en détail la production du tissu le plus écologique au monde : le tissu de lotus.
Depuis la récolte jusqu'au tissage traditionnel cambodgien, vivez l'expérience des différentes étapes de transformation du lotus en un tissu de haute qualité.
La Lotus Farm a pour objectif de connecter les personnes les plus pauvres du Cambodge avec le marché du luxe, en créant des tissus exclusivement fabriqués à la main.
Découvrez également comment les pétales, les pistils et le cœur de la fleur sont transformés en une gamme de thés et infusions conservant les propriétés exceptionnelles du Lotus Sacré.
Sur la route du Phnom Krom, à 10 min du centre-ville de Siem Reap, au cœur d'un environnement authentique et préservé, venez vivre une expérience originale à la Lotus Farm !
Le projet vous intéresse ? Venez en découvrir davantage !
Awen Delaval
gm@samatoa.com
Twitter: @samatoa2003
How fibre is produced from a lotus stem, Siem Reap,Cambodia
From the field notes of Kay Faulkner: Siem Reap, Cambodia 2017. At Samatoa, just outside of Siem Reap, we watched the extraction of fibre from a lotus stem. This is a relatively simple procedure but very labour intensive. The resulting yarn is rare and expensive.
Lotus Farm in siem reap angkor province | Popular attraction on the way to tonle sap lake.
Siem Reap (Khmer: ក្រុងសៀមរាប, pronounced [siəm riəp]; Thai: เสียมราฐ) is the capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia, and a popular resort town as the gateway to Angkor region.
Siem Reap has colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter, and around the Old Market. In the city, there are museums, traditional Apsara dance performances, a Cambodian cultural village, souvenir and handycraft shops, silk farms, rice-paddies in the countryside, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary near the Tonle Sap Lake. More info:
Cambodia food rice cake:
Street food fried pork:
Night market street food:
Street food fried rice:
Tacos food at night market:
Fish fishing at weekend:
Dragonfly in Angkor wat at raining season:
Angkorwat fullday from sunrise to sunset:
Tonle sap tour boat:
Egg pancake:
Banana pancake at night market:
Robam junpor:
Robam souy:
Robam tep monorom:
Robam moni mekhala:
Robam kous trolok:
Robam nesat:
Robam Tep Apsara:
Traditional khmer wedding show:
big theatre the greatest king jayavarman 7 show:
siem reap night market:
china village dance show:
SAMATOA : Cambodia social business
Based in Cambodia, Samatoa is committed to the empowerment of women and to the sustainable development.
For several years, Samatoa experimented more than
10 loc l natural fibers: lotus, pineapple, banana, water lily, romchek, kapok, papyrus, palm, silk, coconut,waterhyacinth and rice leaves.
Support the project on Kickstarter:
Would you like to discover more about natural fibers within our Eco textile business ?
Awen Delaval
gm@samatoa.com
Twitter: @samatoa2003
Lotus Farm by Samatoa / Lotus Farm de Samatoa
Lotus Farm by Samatoa - Phnom Krom Road - Siem Reap, Cambodia
Samatoa - 98 Pithnu Street - Siem Reap, Cambodia
Contact - +855 63 63 69 133 - +855 63 96 53 10
Entrepreneur turning lotus plants into luxury fabric
CAMBODIA LOTUS
SOURCE: AP TELEVISION
RESTRICTIONS: HORIZONS CLIENTS AND AP LIFESTYLE, HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY CLIENTS ONLY
LENGTH: 5:28
AP Television
Siem Reap Province, Cambodia - May 26, 2014
1. Wide shot of Loeun Pol, lotus farmer, paddling a boat
2. Mid shot of Loeun Pol, lotus farmer
3. Pan right of lotuses on the lake surface
4. Wide shot of Loeun Pol, lotus farmer, from behind paddling boat
5. Close of a lotus flower
6. Mid shot of Loeun Pol, lotus farmer, on boat harvesting lotus plants with machete
7. Close of a pile of cut lotus plants
8. Wide of house by the water
9. Low shot of child beating lotus heads with stick
10. Tilt down of boy harvesting lotus seeds with a knife
11. Pan right of lotus seeds drying on plastic sheet
12. Pan right of seeds
13. SOUNDBITE: (Khmer), Loeun Pol, lotus farmer, from Kamping Poy, Siem Reap province:
I've been living here growing lotuses for a long time and selling the flowers and seeds and making a little bit of money. Now things are much better because I can also sell the stems so I'm making a lot more money and I can send my kids to school and take care of my family.
14. Mid shot of Awen Delaval, founder and owner of fashion brand Samatoa, sitting in a boat
15. SOUNDBITE: (French) Awen Delaval, founder and owner of fashion brand Samatoa:
Lotus is one of the most ecological fabrics, even more ecological than organic cotton which consumes a lot of water and can cause environmental damage. The lotus doesn't require any added water, they grow in a natural ecosystem that is totally renewable. The process of making lotus fabric doesn't impact negatively on the environment at any step. Furthermore, we give added value to the plant by using all the parts of it.
16. Mid shot of jewelry made from lotus
17. Pan left of beauty products made from lotus
18. Close of lotus body scrub
19. Close of label of lotus tea
20. Tilt down from woman cleaning lotus stems to close up of washed stems
21. Wide shot of workshop
22. Mid shot of 'Lotus Farm Cambodia' T-shirt
23. Close of knife cutting lotus stems
24. Top shot of worker spreading lotus fibres on wooden board
25. Close up of lotus fibres being spread on board
26. Pan right of hand rolling fibres together
27. Top shot of worker rolling thread
28. Mid shot of worker spinning thread on wheel
29. Close of thread being wound onto spool
30. Close of worker's face
31. Close of worker's hands tying knot
32. Mid shot of hand putting spool of thread into weaving shuttle
33. Tilt up of worker weaving
34. Close of worker's feet
35. Mid shot of worker weaving
36. Pan left of sheet of lotus fabric
37. SOUNDBITE: (French) Awen Delaval, founder and owner of fashion brand Samatoa:
We had to work a lot in order to improve the process and to get the unique quality of fabric. So we worked very hard to make a regular thread without any fragility.
38. Wide shot of people watching training video on computer
39. Close of training video playing on computer monitor
40. Pan left of garment factory interior
41. Tilt down of woman working on sewing machine with instructor
42. Close of sewing machine head
43. Tilt up of woman working on dress
44. Close of worker's hands working on dress
45. Wide shot of Samatoa shop with passing traffic
46. Mid shot of shop entrance with two men chatting with mannequin in foreground
47. Mid shot of dresses hanging on rail
48. SOUNDBITE: (French) Awen Delaval, founder and owner of fashion brand Samatoa:
This is a very popular dress that we sell today in fifteen countries - in the United States and Europe of course but also in Hong Kong, Singapore and others. This dress, made of 100% lotus, sells for three or four thousand dollars in a boutique.
49. Pan right of fabric flowers
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Lotus Lodge, Siem Reap - Cambodia
Silk Museum at Siem Reap Cambodia
We visited the silk museum at Siem Reap today (18th SEP 2014).
It was a very nice experience to see the process, but most of all, this remind us again how beautiful the nature is!
A silk worm produces the silk for us, and we humans trying our best to destroy the nature where they can grow....
Let's think about it!!!!!
เที่ยวกัมพูชา,Cambodia,Angkor Night Market,Seim Reap
เที่ยวกัมพูชา,Cambodia
Angkor Night Market St, Krong Siem Reap, กัมพูชา
Angkor Night Market is Siem Reap’s most renowned shopping venue, housing over 200 bamboo huts selling a wide range of clothing and handicrafts by local communities and non-governmental organizations. Located in downtown Siem Reap, this outdoor market was established in 2007 in an effort to help preserve traditional Khmer handicrafts and improve the lives of Khmer people. Expect plenty of one-of-a-kind goods available such as silk paintings, shadow puppets, and intricate stone carvings embellished in silver or brass. A good option for eco-friendly items is the ‘Angkor Recycled’ stall, which offers an extensive range of bags, wallets, purses, and pouches that are made from recycled materials. Of course, you will also find a smattering of mass-produced Chinese tat that is a requisite of all markets in Southeast Asia too. Having a browse through all the stalls is a popular and enjoyable activity whether you buy anything or not
Siem Reap Research Trip
Nicole visits Siem Reap to learn about local attractions and in particular the fashion and art scene. Among the places visited are: Angkor Wat, Samatoa Lotus Textiles, Eric Raisina Couture House, Soieries de Mekong, and the cultural village.
Lotus Farm Siem Reap
Attraction
Silk Farm, Angkor Artisan, Siem Reap, Cambodia, It's Free!!!!
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LOTUS Farm Travel VLOG | SIEM REAP CAMBODIA
LOTUS Farm Travel VLOG | SIEM REAP CAMBODIA
Source Wikipedia
Country in Asia
Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation whose landscape spans low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta, mountains and Gulf of Thailand coastline. Phnom Penh, its capital, is home to the art deco Central Market, glittering Royal Palace and the National Museum's historical and archaeological exhibits. In the country's northwest are the ruins of Angkor Wat, a massive stone temple complex built during the Khmer Empire.
Capital: Phnom Penh
Currency: Cambodian riel
Spoken languages: Khmer; Cham; French
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Lotus_Flower_Fabric_Making_in_ Battambang_Cambodia.mpg
Production of Lotus Flower Fabric from the fibers of the stems of the lotus flower. By samatoa in Battambang, Cambodia.
Production de tissu de lotus à partir de la fibre des tiges de fleurs de lotus.
Fait par Samatoa à Battambang au Cambodge.
What is it like to invest in Cambodia ?
CEO Awen Delaval founded the eco textile company Samatoa in 2003 ... In this interview, he shares his experience and the reasons why he chose to base his company in Cambodia.
Would you like to discover more about natural fibers within our Eco textile business ?
Awen Delaval
gm@samatoa.com
Twitter: @samatoa2003
LOTUS FARM TOUR WITH TARA RIVER BOAT SIEM REAP CAMBODIA
LOTUS FARM TOUR WITH TARA RIVER BOAT SIEM REAP CAMBODIA
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THIS VIDEO TALKS ABOUT LOTUS FARM TOUR WITH TARA RIVER BOAT SIEM REAP CAMBODIA
Andy and Tanya from GOING NOMAD AKA PIGS ON BIKES are currently living and working in Cambodia and producing short videos on living and working in Asia. I (Andy) am teaching English at a local school full time after completing the TEFL course from TEFL.org. The videos cover practicalities of relocating to Cambodia and working here.
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Embroiding Silk Garments Traditionally at Agkor Artisans Silk Farm - Siem Reap
Embroiding silk garments the traditional way at the Silk Farm in Siem Reap ran by Angkor Artisans who have a number of stores in Cambodia and do a lot of work training rural villagers in all sorts of crafts enabling them to use their learned skills to earn money for themselves.
Samatoa Lotus Fabric featured on ARTE, Futuremag, 24/04/2016
The Lotus Sutra By Samatoa
«We are all part of creation, all kings, all poets, all musicians; we have only to open up, only to discover what is already there. » (Henry Miller)
In South Asia, the sacred Lotus is omnipresent in religious history. For Buddhists, it's a symbol of every man and woman's ability to surpass their conditions, no matter their origin, and accomplish themselves, just like the lotus flower growing tall until it floats above the muddy waters. As such, everyone has the potential to elevate themselves and to reach Buddha's state without letting the world pollute them, like a lotus on water as spoken by the Lotus Sutra, one of Buddhism's most important educational texts.
Equally a symbol of fertility and erudition, as well as longevity, the plan on which Buddha is frequently seen sitting expresses all the promises of the future and of becoming a better man. We can equally read the Sutra as an encouragement to actively engage in others' lives as well as society.
Samatoa believes in the symbolic strength of this text and it's using this same positive and humanist dynamic that it has developed its economical, social and environmental project, allowing vulnerable women from small Cambodian village to become autonomous, to live and to support their family decently.
Samatoa, the ethical choice
« Ideas are like lotus seeds, sleeping only to grow better » (Fatou Diome)
Used in religious rituals, and also in domains like medicine, cuisine and cosmetics, the lotus is far less known for its textile use.
Without a doubt, the weaving of lotus fiber was once known and used across South East Asia. However, this activity has begun to fall into obscurity. Only the inhabitants of Inle Lake's floating villages have continued to perpetuate this ancestral craft.
Awen Delaval, a militant Frenchman at the heart of a fair-trade promotion association, was exposed to (and toughened by) the poverty in Cambodia during a trip to Asia. He had the idea of developing this activity and bringing it back to life in Cambodia.
Seduced by the teaching of the Lotus Sutra, he created an itinerary in the same humanist vein.
An ethical alternative in the powerful textile industry, contrasting productivist and socially exploitative attitudes, particularly with women, it's a change from how typical factories run by big textile brands operate.
A product of unique and unparalleled quality
« The soul spreads itself like a lotus with innumerable petals »
(Khalil Gibran)
What new symbol can we find, with its millions of fibers, living in lakes and rivers? Once worn by Buddhist monks, it's now seducing high fashion's biggest names.
It's experiment after experiment, and research conducted in remote villages, that led to Samatoa's rebirthing of a skill long since forgotten. The main harvest happens on the immense Lake Kamping Poy near Battambang, Cambodia. Lotus flowers have been harvested here for generations.
Starting with this uniquely soft and breathable fabric, Samatoa has developed an exclusive collection of clothing designed by well-known stylists that are creative and loyal. High-quality clothing, brought to you by rare and unique authentic lotus fabric... All made possible thanks to the precision of these little hands with unparalleled 'savoir-faire', resulting in a painstakingly precise and detailed creation.
Pioneering the ethical sewing market in Asia, Samatoa has received a UNESCO award of excellence for South East Asia in November 2012, with a Sarong made entirely with natural silk and lotus fibers.
Fostering powerful social engagement
« Certain observe the mud at the bottom of the pond, others contemplate the lotus at the surface, it's about the choice » (Dalai Lama)
It's with great pride that Samatoa bridges the gap between the rich and the poor using fair-trade and ethical commerce, allowing for the formation, emancipation and international recognition of them. To offer a chance to each man, and consequently vulnerable woman, to surpass their condition and elevate themselves, to accomplish like the lotus flower growing above the muddy waters.
Awen Delaval, General Manager
Tel : +855 63 96 53 10 or +855 12 28 59 30
Mail : gm@samatoa.com
Website :
Facebook : facebook.com/samatoa.eco
Samatoa - Twitter : @samatoa2003
Cambo,6, 2016 Siem Reap. Lotus Farm n Scooter trip
Out for a half day scooter trip to check out Siem Reap. Of course the 1st stop is the Cemetery, way different to in Aus, and I think its a better way to remember your lost ones.