The Paisley Hippo Journey

Paisley Hippo was born from a moment of unexpected inspiration: a plush toy made by a women's cooperative in rural Vietnam. It was a small, handcrafted hippo, sewn with a vibrant paisley-patterned fabric. But it carried a much larger story. Stitched with care and creativity, that toy symbolized the ingenuity, resilience, and imagination of the women who made it. It became the emblem of our brand and the heart of our mission: to create beautiful, purposeful tea while supporting women and sustainability at every step.

Driven by that vision, I traveled to southern Vietnam, where I visited an agarwood tea forest nestled in the tranquil countryside. Wandering among the fragrant, shaded groves, I saw how tea grows in harmony with the land, slowly, intentionally, with reverence. It’s a practice deeply connected to nature and tradition.

But it was inside the local factory where the true spirit of Paisley Hippo took shape. There, I met the women behind our tea: confident, skilled, and genuinely happy in their work. Many are community-based employment initiatives that provide not only income, but stability and opportunity. Their smiles, laughter, and stories reminded me of the women who crafted that first toy hippo and affirmed why this brand exists.

Paisley Hippo is more than tea.
It’s a symbol. A journey. A commitment.

To honouring the hands behind the harvest.
To sustainable practices that respect the earth.
To imaginative design and meaningful connection.

Every cup you drink helps support the livelihoods of these women and celebrates the art of tea, from root to ritual.

Welcome to Paisley Hippo.
Where creativity meets community and every sip tells a story.