Rolls of every type of fabric imaginable, from lightweight cottons to rich velvets and heavy wools are offered cheaply at Chinese markets.
Brightly-coloured silks are popular fabrics widely available at neighbourhood markets in Beijing and Shanghai.
At big city markets, worsted wools and wool-blends, linens and lightweight cottons are sold to hand-tailor men's suits.
A Chinese vendor sells clothes, as well as cashmeres and other fabrics to sew individual designs. Photos by Marie-Claire Holmes, 2005
The silk looks beautiful.Looks like a great place to shop.
Posted by: jinxthegypsy | 10 June 2006 at 07:24
All the hues and textures make me swoony with delight.
Posted by: Rebekah | 10 June 2006 at 05:20
oh my. that looks like a VERY fun place to be.
Posted by: krista | 10 June 2006 at 02:31
Now that is incredible talk about walking through a bit of heaven.
Posted by: Kristen Robinson | 09 June 2006 at 15:57
I've just died and gone to heaven. I love fabrics!!
Posted by: Hundred and one | 09 June 2006 at 11:25
I love them! rue St. Pierre? I have never been there ......when I go to Paris I visit other places but always wanting to go because I like to sew a little.......
Posted by: Catalina | 09 June 2006 at 08:41
I don't imagine that I will ever see such places so the pleasure of seeing these pictures is increased. So different from our world. I think I prefer this.
Posted by: Annie | 09 June 2006 at 05:21
where were these photos taken?
personally i prefer to go to the source - hangzhou. it is famous for its silks and other fabrics. i've been twice and every time i come back with lots of fantastic finds. many times these get shipped to shanghai, beijing, or other cities and the prices are marked up accordingly.
Posted by: paradise | 08 June 2006 at 19:16
P.S. To Ali, my hub has his suits made there. I could get some names if you're intersted.
Posted by: Rosa | 08 June 2006 at 18:17
I will definately have to make the trip one day. I'm working up for next summer. The hub works in textiles yet never brings any (material) home ...hmmmmm. Probably wouldn't get it right if he did!
Posted by: Rosa | 08 June 2006 at 18:16
I love all this beautiful fabric! Ricardo and I recently went to buy fabric for curtains and couch cushions at the local fabric trading center here in Maputo, and were shocked at how cheap everything is.
The only challenge now is to find a good tailor, something easier said than done.
Posted by: Ali | 08 June 2006 at 15:30