About Intellectual Property IP Training IP Outreach IP for… IP and... IP in... Patent & Technology Information Trademark Information Industrial Design Information Geographical Indication Information Plant Variety Information (UPOV) IP Laws, Treaties & Judgements IP Resources IP Reports Patent Protection Trademark Protection Industrial Design Protection Geographical Indication Protection Plant Variety Protection (UPOV) IP Dispute Resolution IP Office Business Solutions Paying for IP Services Negotiation & Decision-Making Development Cooperation Innovation Support Public-Private Partnerships The Organization Working with WIPO Accountability Patents Trademarks Industrial Designs Geographical Indications Copyright Trade Secrets WIPO Academy Workshops & Seminars World IP Day WIPO Magazine Raising Awareness Case Studies & Success Stories IP News WIPO Awards Business Universities Indigenous Peoples Judiciaries Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions Economics Gender Equality Global Health Climate Change Competition Policy Sustainable Development Goals Enforcement Frontier Technologies Mobile Applications Sports Tourism PATENTSCOPE Patent Analytics International Patent Classification ARDI – Research for Innovation ASPI – Specialized Patent Information Global Brand Database Madrid Monitor Article 6ter Express Database Nice Classification Vienna Classification Global Design Database International Designs Bulletin Hague Express Database Locarno Classification Lisbon Express Database Global Brand Database for GIs PLUTO Plant Variety Database GENIE Database WIPO-Administered Treaties WIPO Lex - IP Laws, Treaties & Judgments WIPO Standards IP Statistics WIPO Pearl (Terminology) WIPO Publications Country IP Profiles WIPO Knowledge Center WIPO Technology Trends Global Innovation Index World Intellectual Property Report PCT – The International Patent System ePCT Budapest – The International Microorganism Deposit System Madrid – The International Trademark System eMadrid Article 6ter (armorial bearings, flags, state emblems) Hague – The International Design System eHague Lisbon – The International System of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications eLisbon UPOV PRISMA Mediation Arbitration Expert Determination Domain Name Disputes Centralized Access to Search and Examination (CASE) Digital Access Service (DAS) WIPO Pay Current Account at WIPO WIPO Assemblies Standing Committees Calendar of Meetings WIPO Official Documents Development Agenda Technical Assistance IP Training Institutions COVID-19 Support National IP Strategies Policy & Legislative Advice Cooperation Hub Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISC) Technology Transfer Inventor Assistance Program WIPO GREEN WIPO's Pat-INFORMED Accessible Books Consortium WIPO for Creators WIPO ALERT Member States Observers Director General Activities by Unit External Offices Job Vacancies Procurement Results & Budget Financial Reporting Oversight

Compassion and Entrepreneurship Came Together to Create Slow Fashion Brand in Cambodia

When Chomnab Ho arrived in the remote village of Phnom Srok on the Cambodian-Thai border for a silk development project, he was unaware of the profound impact his work with weavers would have on his life.

After high school, Chomnab was hesitant about the studies he should pursue. Without the Internet, computers, or search engines to help, he applied to three universities and was accepted into the National School of Agriculture of Prek Leap.

After completing his bachelor's degree in agriculture, Chomnab's journey led him to Phnom Srok in 2002, where he began a six-year assignment working with local weavers, immersing himself in their work and life.

"The women got no recognition from their weaving and efforts to support their children, lived in remote villages, and traveled all day to the nearest city on muddy and bumping roads," he recalled. Over time, Chomnab formed an emotional bond with the weavers and, touched by their plight, decided to help.

In 2013, he established the FAIR WEAVE brand, a social enterprise providing sustainable, eco-friendly handwoven textiles. "Weavers inspired me to share their journey, help them become independent and live in better conditions, and create products with them," he explained. Dedicating weekends to work with weavers, he identified marketable products and gathered buyer feedback. FAIR WEAVE is based on a B2B business model but seeks to enter the B2C market. WIPO has been helping Chomnab since the Spring of 2023 with creating a sub-brand.

In 2019, Chomnab fully committed himself to the brand, learning weaving techniques and attending design training. In addition to being the Director, Chomnab manages design, product development, and dyeing, with other responsibilities.

Handwoven Blankets, Home Wear, Slow, Sustainable Fashion

FAIR WEAVE's best-selling products are blankets in different sizes and styles. The company also produces sofa throws, bedspreads, towels, napkins, cushions, and coasters. "Many products can be made from handloom," he said.

All of FAIR WEAVE's products are hand-made, and the company only uses local natural dyes derived from materials such as coconut husks, mango leaves, ebony fruit, indigo, jackfruit wood, and annatto seeds. Weavers use traditional knowledge passed from generation to generation and use natural fibers, like natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool, and linen, sourced from countries like Thailand, Laos, and China.

Dyeing occurs in Siem Riep, utilizing rice husks as a sustainable fuel source. Once dyed, the fibers are sent to the weavers. FAIR WEAVE can produce up to 300 blankets per month. While weaving a single blanket typically takes about one to one and a half days, the complete process reaches five days of work, from dyeing to spinning, warping, and loom setup.

FAIR WEAVE's products are available in seven partner stores across Phnom Penh and Siem Riep. They are exported to Australia, Japan, the United States, and Singapore, serving a network of ten international companies.

(Photo: FAIR WEAVE)
(Photo: FAIR WEAVE)

Helping the Community

Beyond helping some 50 to 60 weavers reach a better standard of living and financial independence, FAIR WEAVE also supports the community through several initiatives like organizing eye testing for the weavers, providing hand washing stations in schools during Covid-19, and setting up a scholarship fund for the weavers' children.

Trademark Registration and a New Sub-Brand in the Making

Chomnab has started registration of FAIR WEAVE's name and logo with the Cambodia Ministry of Commerce, Department of Intellectual Property. While primarily based on a B2B business model, Chomnab aims to expand into the B2C market, directly serving end-consumers and targeting Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. WIPO is aiding in creating a sub-brand, logo, brand guide, and IP registration for this venture.

Becoming a Famous Cambodian Brand

FAIR WEAVE is growing, "we are happy and committed," Chomnab said. With the sub-brand soon to be released, he hopes that in the next five years, the company will be known as a famous local Cambodian brand and will reach the regional and Asian markets. He also counts on the growing recognition of the weavers' work and talent.