ARTICLE

Bhukram, Continuing Sakon Nakhon’s legend of kram through contemporary designs

In the past few years, products that have been dyed with kram or indigo have received raving popularity to the point that you could be sure that any craft or handiwork fair is likely to have indigo fabrics or clothes on sale too. Most of these products usually come from Sakon Nakhon or use indigo from Sakon Nakhon to be dyed, as this Isan province possesses full-circuit knowledge—from how to grow indigo, how to harvest it, how to export indigo for sale and how to dye clothes with indigo so that it is long-lasting.

Thai Local Wisdom Trend Book 2020/19

“Any efforts to safeguard traditional craftsmanship must focus not on preserving crafts objects - no maCer how beautiful, precious, rare or important they might be - but on creating conditions that will encourage artisans to continue to produce crafts of all kinds, and to transmit their skills and knowledge to others.” UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, 2003

Creative Indigo: when an ancient craft is revived by the new generation

T-STYLE: Giving flight to “Thailand Style” Building innovative and eco-products for the world market

T-STYLE or Thailand Style is a project by the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, to develop and support innovative products and environment-friendly products for a global market. The project aims to develop Thai products so they can meet the demands of the global market better, especially in an ever-changing marketplace and what with consumers increasingly concerned with environmental-friendly products. To create innovative products under this project, the three traits incorporated are it must be eco-friendly, must showcase Thai craftsmanship and must show Thai culture. There are four main activities under this project which are:

The details and art of suit-making by Pinky Tailor

Pinky Tailor first opened its doors to provide specialized tailoring in 1980. Owned by Mr. Pinky, the gifted master tailor opened his first store in Udon Thani, which was the base of the American army at that time. Lots of Westerners and foreigners must report to that base, thus creating a large variety of tailoring customers. Once the American base has moved away, Mr. Pinky decided to continue his business in Bangkok, first at Daimaru Department Store, before moving to its current location at the Ploenchit area today. Writer : Editor Team Translator : Parisa Pichimarn Pinky Tailor first opened its doors to provide specialized tailoring in 1980. Owned by Mr. Pinky, the gifted master tailor opened his first store in Udon Thani, which was the base of the American army at that time. Lots of Westerners and foreigners must report to that base, thus creating a large variety of tailoring customers. Once the American base has moved away, Mr. Pinky decided to continue his business in Bangkok, first at Daimaru Department Store, before moving to its current location at the Ploenchit area today.

FolkCharm: A minimal fashion brand packed with folk charm

The name FolkCharm is most fitting for this minimal fashion brand—these simple cotton apparels which have been meticulously tailored exudes a local charm within every step of its production.

Temporary Bamboo architecture ,Thor. Kaichon: From experiment to identity of “Thanapat Boosanan”

Thor. Thanapat Boosanan, an architect who was an expert in bamboo architecture, founded Kaichon six years ago. The name came from his name abbreviation (T) and Kaichon (Fighting cock), his favorite hobby.

Mowaan Bamrungchat Satsana Yathai Pharmacy - Keeping heritage of herbal Thai medicine alive

Thai people have been familiar with yahom (traditional herbal powder) for more than three centuries. It is believed that yahom recipes were first brought into the Kingdom in the Ayutthaya period. At that time this medicine was exclusively used in the royal family, as several ingredients were imported from overseas. The making of yahom also required thorough grinding and winnowing, meaning many people were involved in the process. Therefore, it was regarded as a highly valuable item and was so expensive that ordinary citizens were hardly able to afford it.

Kad Kakoa: Thai craft chocolate that takes Thai cocoa to the international spotlight

When we think of chocolate, the first image that comes up takes from Western culture, thanks to its longstanding and widespread availability in Europe and America. It’s also a sweet that does not withstand our nation’s heat, which makes it even harder to imagine it as part of our eating culture.

THEATRE: a Thai brand that interprets haute couture

Photo caption: Designer and owner of THEATRE brand Sirichai Daharanont’s collection “From Vienna to Vientiane Couture Collection” at “The Pop Couture Club” event, the first global-level, couture fashion show in Thailand.

T-Style: DEWA (DEsign from Waste of Agriculture) Craft designs from leftover materials

“In the kitchen, nothing is considered trash,” American world-famous chef Anthony Bourdain once mentioned while he was still alive in one of his last documentaries. Regarding managing food waste, he said, “I may be the old school type that was taught to never throw anything away. That means whether it is unprocessed meat or bits of fruits and vegetables, it can be made into menus and nothing should be trash.” This is not a trend that is only limited to the food industry, as there is a global effort in trying to create value out of leftovers in order to combat overconsumption and consumerism, which leads to depleting our natural resources.

5ivesis: Luxury home décor brand made from pewter material “tin minerals”—for showpieces that are truly practical and show-stopping

From their family’s original business of producing pewter materials or crafting tin 10 years ago, five sisters who have returned from their studies to continue the business decided to build their own brand. The name 5ivesis came from that starting point, with designs forming out of things they loved. As women who loved to dress up, they decided to come up with home decorations—thus becoming 5ivesis Home Décor. As precious pewter pieces come from a mixture of silver and tin, it is also a premium gifting brand with handmade, delicate items that showcase Thai culture and beliefs.

Tie-dyeing: ancient style making a comeback

Tie dyeing refers to a set of ancient dyeing techniques used universally. Thailand and its Southeast Asian neighbors –Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Myanmar– all inherited the techniques from India, though each has refined the processes in their own unique ways, and their products are known by different names. Japan and China also have their own tie-dyeing techniques, so does Mexico, located half the world away.

Dhanabodee Ceramic and Lampang’s iconic “chicken bowls”

Lampang is well-known to most Thais for its “chicken bowls.” Manufactured and made famous by Dhanabodee Ceremic, the first ceramics factory in the province which is currently managed by the second generation of the family. A portion of their factory has now been turned into a museum open to visitors interested in their story.

Nuaynard: Contemporary Isan : Live in nature, rejuvenate in a Thai style

We are living in an age where consumers are more conscious about healthy living. Demand for natural and organic products is ever-increasing. As people are becoming more concerned about chemicals commonly used in everyday life, it is only natural that more are returning to nature. This consumer behavior change results in the boom of natural products, particularly in the health and beauty industry.

Making space… making a difference : Design + Art + Craft + Space

Aterlier2+, a new design studio born out of the ideas of a designer couple, Worapong Manupipatpong and Ada Jiragran, is fast becoming one of the top studios in Thailand. Its expertise lies in the incorporation of handicrafts into architectural structures and furniture items. Their works stem from the way of thinking characterized by openness, compromise, and cooperation, as indicated in the “2+” part of the studio’s name.

Perfumers and the art of perfume making

The word perfume derives from the Latin per fumum, which means “through smoke.” Perfumery is an art form dating back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt and was further developed by the Romans and the Persians. Archaeologists have recently uncovered evidence of the world’s oldest surviving perfumes, created some 4,000 years ago.

The story from “COSMOS & HARMONY” soap.

If there is a Don’t Miss product list for foreigners especially Chinese tourists, Cosmos & Harmony is definitely in it. Its Ease Up With Style soap collection was in the latest 17 Don’t Miss product list ranked by shoot2china. The soaps in this collection are in ancient Thai style packaging. There are three scents; Nam Ob Thai (Thai perfume), Muay Thai (Thai boxing) and Hermit Self-stretched. Each scent gives different feelings, for example, Hermit Self-stretched gives the aroma of Wat Po’s balm and its herb ingredients help releasing an ache.

Masked dance and shadow play

It is undeniable that in this day and age, very little is known about shadow play (locally known as Nang Yai, which literally means large hides).

Tam’s style: Style of Tam, a Farm-to-Table Thai cooking.

As the very first winner of Top Chef Thailand, Chudaree Debhakam or Chef Tam has become well known. With her passion in traveling and bold characteristic, Tam had turned down the jobs in restaurants or hotels and chose to be freelance chef who cooked in her own style.