Immerse yourself in the world of Shibori
Welcome to the ESLA website, a gateway to the Japanese textile art of Shibori and natural indigo dyeing.
Join our passionate community that shares values of tradition and creativity.
About us
Founded in 2025 by Cornelia Buttmann-Scholl, the European Shibori Lovers Association (ESLA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and preserving the traditional Japanese art of Shibori and natural indigo dyeing in Europe.
ESLA organises workshops, masterclasses and conferences, allowing enthusiasts to discover, learn and experiment with Shibori, from traditional techniques to contemporary creations.
We collaborate with renowned Japanese artisans, enabling them to share their expertise in France and Europe.
Our mission...
... is to promote the richness, beauty and subtlety of these ancestral textile techniques, while supporting the artisans and artists who perpetuate them.
Joining ESLA means...
... participating in the preservation of a living heritage, discovering the extreme delicacy of Shibori, and contributing to the promotion of this art in Europe.
What is Shibori?
Shibori is an ancient Japanese textile art that involves creating patterns on fabric before dyeing it. Using a variety of techniques (folding, tying, sewing, compressing), each piece becomes unique and tells a story.
This art has been practised for centuries in Japan and has developed in several iconic regions: Kyoto and Arimatsu for their delicate and complex patterns, and Tokushima, where natural fermented indigo dyeing (Sukumo) plays a central role. Each region brings its own styles and traditions, reflecting the diversity and richness of Shibori.
Today, ESLA aims to promote these techniques through workshops, masterclasses and conferences, in order to share this unique and precious textile art in the heart of Europe.
Image gallery
Discover our past events, moments of creativity and sharing around the art of Shibori.
