The Lacys collect embroidery patterns from Miao women in Fenghuang country, Central China's Hunan Province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A passion for Miao embroidery

After having inhabited the ancient town for more than a decade, the couple knows Fenghuang well. Aside from a love for its history, food and customs, the couple holds a special love for Miao embroidery, which is one of the main reasons that they chose to make their second home there.

The patterns of flowers, birds, and butterflies in Miao embroidery are of bright colors and there are a great number of creative patterns. After they came to Fenghuang, they saw such beautiful handicrafts but that the locals here lead impoverished lives. Then they decided to open a company and set up a factory producing Miao hand embroidery.