Guides · 5 min read
How to Wash a Krama, and Any Handwoven Cotton, So It Lasts for Years
Handwoven cotton is made to be used, not babied. A few simple habits are all it takes for a krama to soften, deepen and last for years.
Journal
Guides and stories from Cambodia: on souvenirs, gifts, the krama and the craft behind our pieces.
Travel · 6 min read
What to Bring to Angkor Wat: The Day Bag We Pack as Locals
A day at Angkor is long, hot and wonderful. After years of temple mornings, here is exactly what goes in our bag, and what stays at home.
Travel · 7 min read
What to Wear in Cambodia: Dressing for Heat, Temples and Everyday Life
Cambodia is warm all year, sacred in places, and relaxed almost everywhere. Here is how to dress for all three at once, written by people who live here.
Guides · 5 min read
Khmer New Year Gifts: Cambodian Traditions and Thoughtful Ideas
Chaul Chnam Thmey, the Khmer New Year, is one of the warmest moments of the Cambodian year. A look at the traditions of giving, and handmade gift ideas to mark it.
Guides · 6 min read
Shopping in Phnom Penh: Where to Find Handmade Cambodian Design
Beyond the big markets, Phnom Penh has a quietly growing scene of local designers and craft fairs. A guide to finding genuinely handmade Cambodian design in the capital.
Style · 5 min read
The Krama Tote Bag: Cambodia's Everyday Bag, Reinvented
The humble tote, made from Cambodia's centuries-old check cotton. Why the krama tote works so well every day, how it is made, and how to keep it looking good.
Travel · 6 min read
What to Pack for Cambodia: The One Accessory Every Traveller Needs
Cambodia is hot, bright and dusty, and Angkor has a dress code. A practical packing list built around the one lightweight accessory that handles almost all of it.
Heritage · 6 min read
Krama vs Vichy: The Story of Two Checks That Look Alike
They look almost identical: a simple check in two colours. But the Cambodian krama and the French vichy come from opposite sides of the world. Here is how they differ, and why we put them together.
Guides · 7 min read
Ethical Souvenirs in Cambodia: How to Shop Responsibly and Support Local Artisans
Where your money goes can vary a lot when you shop in Cambodia. A guide to spotting genuine handmade craft and shopping with a clearer sense of what you are buying.
Style · 6 min read
How to Wear a Krama: 8 Modern Ways to Style Cambodia's Iconic Scarf
The krama has been worn a hundred ways for centuries. Here are eight simple, modern ways to style Cambodia's iconic check scarf, from a neck scarf to a bag accent.
Guides · 7 min read
What to Buy in Siem Reap: A Local Guide to Authentic Khmer Crafts
Siem Reap is full of stalls, but quality varies enormously. A guide from people who live here to the authentic Khmer crafts worth buying near Angkor, and how to tell the real from the mass-made.
Guides · 6 min read
Meaningful Gifts from Cambodia: Handmade Ideas for Every Budget
A gift from Cambodia can be so much more than a keepsake. Handmade ideas for every budget, from a $5 scrunchie to a statement piece, each with a story worth telling.
Guides · 7 min read
Best Souvenirs to Bring Back from Cambodia (Beyond the Usual Trinkets)
The magnets and fridge trinkets rarely survive the trip home. Here are the souvenirs from Cambodia that actually mean something, handmade, useful, and rooted in Khmer craft.