Hi, I’m Sia.
Beginning in November, I’ll travel through Thailand, Malaysia, Ethiopia, and Uganda to meet makers and partners — to see what’s already being created, understand how creativity and commerce sustain livelihoods in displacement, and begin shaping what Refugee Made will become.
Why I’m building this
Like many Hmong families in Thai refugee camps during the 70s–90s, my family relied on paj ntaub or story cloths, stitched by my mother, to get by. They were more than textiles; they were income, stability, and a way forward.
Refugee Made was created with this truth in mind: people find ways to provide for their families even in the hardest circumstances. Commerce sustained mine, and I believe it can do the same for many more if given the chance.
The work ahead
The months ahead will shape Refugee Made’s foundation — the partnerships, products, and ideas that bring the brand to life.
What returns from this journey will become the starting point for our first offerings: goods chosen for design and usability, each connected to the people and places where they’re made.