Latest news with #SIRIVANNAVARI
Bangkok Post
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Bangkok Post
EM DISTRICT Celebrates Thai Craftsmanship and Culture
Thailand's rich cultural heritage and exquisite craftsmanship—hallmarks of the nation's soft power on the global stage—are once again in the spotlight as EM DISTRICT (comprising EMPORIUM, EMQUARTIER, and EMSPHERE) collaborates with the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture; the SUPPORT Foundation under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother; and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to present 'EM DISTRICT Sense of Thai 2025.' Now in its fourth consecutive year, the event commemorates the 73rd birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King and the 93rd birthday anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother. It also pays tribute to Her Majesty's more than five decades of unwavering commitment to promoting Thai handicrafts—an initiative that has not only preserved national heritage but also generated employment and improved livelihoods across the country. Onthira Bharksuwana, Senior Vice President of EM DISTRICT, explained: 'This annual event, jointly organised by EM DISTRICT in collaboration with both public and private sectors, honours Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, and sustains her legacy of promoting Thai handicrafts—particularly handwoven textiles that reflect the unique identities of regional communities. We also spotlight the royal initiatives of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, whose invaluable contributions to the preservation and modernisation of Thai textiles have earned global recognition. In honour of her efforts, UNESCO presented Her Royal Highness with a commemorative medal on 18 July 2025 at its Paris headquarters, recognising her commitment to cultural preservation, the fine arts, and advancing Thailand's creative industries.' Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya graciously presided over the opening ceremony, where she attended 'The Symphony of Thai Textiles' fashion show featuring 14 of Thailand's leading fashion houses: SIRIVANNAVARI, TIRAPAN, THEATRE, ASAVA, ISSUE, CHAIGOLDLABEL, WISHARA-WISH, MILIN, VICKTEERUT, ARCHIVE026, TANDT, JANESUDA, LANDMEÉ, and IRADA. Themed 'The Symphony of Thai Textiles', the show highlighted handwoven fabrics from the SUPPORT Foundation and various local communities. The designs ranged from royal motif-printed Thai silk to plaid and plain silk, presented in 42 contemporary outfits reflecting each designer's unique style. For the show, Her Royal Highness personally designed an exclusive collection under her fashion house, SIRIVANNAVARI, titled Devotional Design. The collection showcases her vision of preserving traditional Thai textiles while infusing them with modern aesthetics. It features signature sculptural draping, hand-wrapping techniques, and voluminous silhouettes to highlight the elegance of the fabrics with minimal stitching. The SIRIVANNAVARI collection included two standout pieces inspired by the brand's Spring/Summer 2023 collection. The first was a fuchsia silk mudmee off-shoulder gown, adorned with gathered details, ruffles, a high slit, asymmetrical hemline, and intricate embroidery. The second was a turquoise Thai silk mudmee gown paired with a French lace corset, featuring asymmetrical draping and elaborate bodice embroidery. Both ensembles used SUPPORT Foundation fabrics, reinforcing Her Royal Highness's dedication to heritage preservation. Beyond the runway, the Thai Craft Market at EM MARKET Hall, G Floor, EMSPHERE offers visitors the opportunity to shop premium handicrafts, textiles, and agricultural products curated by the SUPPORT Foundation. A highlight is the limited-edition Thai silk featuring royal motifs, known as Siriraj Phastraphon, available to the public for the first time. The 2025 collection features the following patterns: Pud Tan (Cotton Rose Hibiscus) The Heart of Pud Tan Mayurasiri Horse Motif Kho Chao Fa Motif Other featured items include contemporary mudmee silk with star, wave, and sky motifs, wool products from Mae Hong Son, artificial flowers inspired by Her Royal Highness's visit to Chiang Mai, and modern ceramic dinnerware. Adding a playful touch, the Textile Museum presents Thai dessert-inspired 3D ice creams with flavours such as: Chocolate-covered coconut (Grand Palace Gate pattern) Chocolate-covered Chitralada milk tablet (Grand Palace Gate pattern) Mangosteen, coconut cream, and mango (Wat Phra Kaew tile pattern) Durian and Thai tea (elephant motif) The event also features top-quality products from the SUPPORT Foundation and performances of the Khon masked dance, scheduled on weekends and public holidays (2–3 and 9–12 August) at 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM at EM MARKET Hall. Following the fashion show, all 42 outfits will be displayed in the 'Symphony of Thai Textiles' exhibition at EM Station, M Floor, EMPORIUM (connected to BTS Phrom Phong), from 30 July to 13 August 2025. The exhibition aims to inspire continued interest in Thai textiles and sustainability. Proceeds from sales of the Thai fabric collection featured at the event will be donated, via the Thai Red Cross Society, to support individuals affected by the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border. Celebrate the splendour of Thai culture, craftsmanship, and creativity at EM DISTRICT Sense of Thai 2025, on view now through 13 August at EMSPHERE.
Bangkok Post
30-06-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
UNESCO, SACIT, Siam Piwat Spotlight Thai Craftsmanship
UNESCO has joined forces with the Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand (Public Organization), or SACIT, and Siam Piwat Group to support local textile artisans from seven provinces as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). This collaboration marks a milestone, as Siam Piwat, the founder of ICONCRAFT, has been selected as the only private partner by UNESCO and SACIT for 'UNESCO x SACIT x ICONCRAFT: A Celebration of Thai Artisans and Creative Cities.' This extraordinary campaign celebrates Thai artisans and elevates local wisdom from the seven Creative Cities — epicentres of cultural heritage and Thai craftsmanship — into contemporary works of art, with the SIRIVANNAVARI brand and 14 of Thailand's top designers. The three parties recently signed a Letter of Intent to support craftsmanship and the creative economy, empowering local communities and the next generation of Thai designers. A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of two silk clutch bags designed by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, Creative Director of the SIRIVANNAVARI brand. Under her vision, each bag features intricate embroidery crafted by skilled artisans from the SIRIVANNAVARI Atelier & Academy. The first clutch is a dazzling creation featuring a radiant golden peacock — the emblem of the SIRIVANNAVARI brand — with its fanned tail adorned with ears of rice, symbolising prosperity and abundance, and shimmering with beads and crystals. The second clutch draws inspiration from traditional woven textiles, with embroidery echoing the fabric's intricate patterns, enhancing their dimension and elegance. Both pieces are one-of-a-kind works of art — true masterpieces that embody exclusivity and refined craftsmanship. Crafted from Kaew Ching Duang silk — a textile symbolising prosperity, unity, and harmony — the bags were handwoven by nationally honoured master artisan Weeratham Taragoonngernthai, grand master of Thai silk and founder of the 'CHANSOMA' brand in Surin Province. Each piece was specially designed to honour the spirit of Thai artisans and reflect the magnificence of Thai craftsmanship through a contemporary lens. The royally designed silk clutches were auctioned to raise funds for a youth-focused UNESCO programme that promotes education and creative development for young people in Thailand's seven Creative Cities: Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Sukhothai, Phetchaburi, Chiang Rai, and Suphanburi. Another highlight of the event is an exhibition featuring eight traditional Thai ensembles from the royal wardrobe of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. On loan from the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, this marks their debut public showcase in Thailand. Designed and tailored by Tirapan Wannarat, owner of the TIRAPAN couture house and Thailand's 2019 National Artist in Visual Arts (Fashion Design), the pieces — including Thai Ruen Ton, Thai Chitralada, and Thai Amarin styles — are worn for royal ceremonies and official occasions and are imbued with historical significance. Ms Soohyun Kim, Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, stated, 'This collaboration is about sustaining the knowledge systems and cultural identities that Thai craftsmanship represents. By linking local artisans with leading designers and supporting creative education for young people across Thailand's Creative Cities, we are investing in the future of intangible heritage and creativity. UNESCO is proud to work alongside SACIT and Siam Piwat to ensure that the next generation not only inherits these traditions, but also shapes them in new and inspiring ways.' Asst. Prof. Dr Anucha Thirakanont, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand (SACIT), stated, 'As an organisation with a mission to preserve, innovate, and promote Thai craftsmanship in all dimensions, it is a great honour to be part of this collaborative initiative with UNESCO and Siam Piwat. This project serves as a model for integrating creativity with Thai wisdom, making traditional crafts more contemporary. In particular, the Thai artisans supported by SACIT are highly skilled professionals with great potential for further development. This initiative presents a dynamic opportunity for artisans and creatives to collaborate meaningfully, while also aligning with various dimensions of sustainability. It marks a new chapter that highlights the potential of Thai craftsmanship on the global stage.' Ms Usara Yongpiyakul, Retail Business Consultant, Siam Piwat Retail Holding Company Limited, stated, 'Forming a partnership with UNESCO and SACIT to promote Thai arts and crafts marks a significant step for Siam Piwat in advancing its mission to serve as an opportunity platform, with a focus on honouring Thai artisans and elevating local wisdom on the global stage. Siam Piwat has always been committed to growing our business while delivering shared value for people, communities, society, and the nation. To integrate our efforts to support Thai talent into our retail models, we established ICONCRAFT as a platform to create opportunities and a space of inspiration for over 1,000 local artisans and small-scale entrepreneurs from every region of Thailand — giving them a stage to showcase their capabilities and present Thai heritage in a creative way. We have been working actively with our public and private partners to build value and sustainability for the Thai handicraft industry, and to foster a strong network that proudly showcases the quintessential Thai identity on the global stage.' Through this collaboration, Siam Piwat aims to support cultural entrepreneurs and inspire Thailand's new generation of leaders in the cultural and creative sectors by building upon the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, with a focus on providing sustainable educational support for local youth. This partnership led to the creation of the 'UNESCO x SACIT x ICONCRAFT: A Celebration of Thai Artisans and Creative Cities' campaign, which connects the local wisdom and Thai handicrafts of the seven Creative Cities with 14 designers. SACIT has long been a key partner of Siam Piwat and recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly support and enhance the capacities of Thai master artisans, craftsmen, their successors, producers, and designers, as part of a strategic initiative to elevate Thai craftsmanship and expand its recognition on the international stage. To create this exclusive collection, seven leading Thai designers were invited by ICONCRAFT to collaborate with seven designers from the Thai arts and crafts sector selected by SACIT. The designer pairings are as follows: ATELIER PICHITA working with Tai Lue woven fabric from the Kru Dok Kaew Tai Lue Weaving Group (Chiang Rai) THEATRE with Thai Song Dam fabric from the Ban Don Manow Thai Song Dam Weaving Group (Suphanburi) CHAI GOLD LABEL with Lanna-style batik from Rak Batik (Chiang Mai) HOOK'S BY PRAPAKAS with hand-painted batik from the Ying Batik Paint Group (Phuket) WISHARAWISH with Lai Yang fabric from Phusa Pha Lai Yang (Phetchaburi) PYVET with Jok Khon Men fabric from Suntree Thai (Sukhothai) JANESUDA with colourful batik from Marionsiam (Bangkok) Each of the seven brands will design two exclusive garments using these local Thai textiles, resulting in 14 unique, one-of-a-kind ensembles.
Arabian Post
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arabian Post
UNESCO and SACIT Join Hands with ICONCRAFT to Celebrate Thai Artisans and Thailand's Creative Cities Network
A landmark exhibition of Thai artisanship and contemporary design, inspired by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and featuring two debut clutches handcrafted from master-woven textiles by the SIRIVANNAVARI brand BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 June 2025 – UNESCO and Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand (Public Organization), a national agency promoting Thai craftsmanship, have joined hands with ICONCRAFT—Thailand's hub of creative innovation–to launch the campaign, 'UNESCO x SACIT x ICONCRAFT: A Celebration of Thai Artisans and Creative Cities.' This nationwide initiative celebrates the cultural legacy of Thai textile traditions from the seven UNESCO Creative Cities across Thailand. These heritage textiles, crafted by national master artisans, are reimagined into contemporary fashion pieces by seven of Thailand's top design houses, as well as the prestigious brand SIRIVANNAVARI, founded by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. ADVERTISEMENT The event, attended by UNESCO Director – General Audrey Azoulay, on her first official visit to Thailand, launches a long-term collaboration to empower cultural entrepreneurs, promote sustainable innovation, and inspire youth to pursue careers in the creative economy. It also reinforces Thailand's commitment to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), which includes more than 350 cities worldwide. Thailand's recognized Creative Cities–Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Sukhothai, Phetchaburi, Chiang Rai, and Suphanburi–serve as the foundation for this initiative and their distinctive cultural assets inspire the designs on display. Event Highlights At the heart of this exhibition is a collaboration between seven top-tier Thai fashion brands and local artisan groups, with each designer creating two exclusive outfits inspired by a different Creative City—14 looks in total: ATELIER PICHITA – Designs inspired by the Tai Lue textiles of the Tai Lue Weaving Group by Master Dokkaew from Chiang Rai Designs inspired by the Tai Lue textiles of the from Chiang Rai THEATRE – Designs using Black Tai (Thai Song Dam) textiles from Ban Don Manow Thai Song Dam Weaving Group in Suphanburi Designs using Black Tai (Thai Song Dam) textiles from in Suphanburi CHAI GOLD LABEL – Designs drawing from Northern-style batik by Rak Batik Group in Chiang Mai Designs drawing from Northern-style batik by in Chiang Mai HOOK'S BY PRAPAKAS – Designs based on hand-painted batik from Ying Batik Paint Group in Phuket Designs based on hand-painted batik from in Phuket WISHARAWISH – Designs using the intricately patterned Pha Lai Yang fabric by Phusa Pha Lai Yang in Phetchaburi Designs using the intricately patterned fabric by in Phetchaburi PYVET – Designs crafted from Porcupine Pattern Pha Jok by Suntaree Thai Textile in Sukhothai Designs crafted from by in Sukhothai JANESUDA – Designs showcasing brightly colored batik from Marionsiam in Bangkok SIRIVANNAVARI x Chansoma Collaboration Among the standout creations are two exclusive clutch bags, personally designed by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. Crafted from Kaew Ching Duang silk–a textile symbolizing prosperity and harmony–these pieces were handwoven by nationally honoured master artisan Weeratham Taragoonngernthai, founder of the Chansoma brand in Surin Province. Embroidered with exquisite detail, each clutch is a one-of-a-kind creation, specially designed for this occasion. ADVERTISEMENT Royal Ensemble Exhibition Another event highlight is the first-ever public exhibition in Thailand of eight Royal Thai Ensembles worn by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, curated by the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. The designs, by Tirapan Wannarat, founder of the Tirapan fashion house and Thailand's 2019 National Artist in Visual Arts (Fashion Design), will be on display from June 25–29 at ICONLUXE AVENUE, M Floor, ICONSIAM. Featured ensembles include: Thai Ruean Ton Dress – Crafted from brocade silk with Chao Fa motifs, inspired by traditional teakwood houses in Dusit Palace – Crafted from brocade silk with Chao Fa motifs, inspired by traditional teakwood houses in Dusit Palace Thai Chitralada Dress – A formal silk outfit with standing collar and embroidered white floral patterns – A formal silk outfit with standing collar and embroidered white floral patterns Thai Amarin Dress – A pink silk pha sin featuring golden rose vines, historically associated with the birthday of King Rama V Event Schedule The special collection will debut at Crafts Bangkok 2025, from 18–22 June 2025 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, before its formal launch on 25 June at ICONSIAM. Alongside the textile showcase and royal attire exhibition, visitors will have the rare opportunity to purchase or bid on selected pieces. A special auction will include the limited-edition silk clutches by SIRIVANNAVARI. Proceeds will support a UNESCO initiative to expand access to creative education for young people in Thailand's Creative Cities. Don't miss this chance to celebrate Thai cultural heritage, admire the craftsmanship of local masters, and witness how creativity continues to shape Thailand's future. Hashtag: #ICONCRAFT #ICONCRAFTatICONSIAM #ICONSIAM #SIAMPIWAT #SACIT #UNESCO The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Malay Mail
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
UNESCO and SACIT Join Hands with ICONCRAFT to Celebrate Thai Artisans and Thailand's Creative Cities Network
A landmark exhibition of Thai artisanship and contemporary design, inspired by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and featuring two debut clutches handcrafted from master-woven textiles by the SIRIVANNAVARI brand ATELIER PICHITA – Designs inspired by the Tai Lue textiles of the Tai Lue Weaving Group by Master Dokkaew from Chiang Rai Designs inspired by the Tai Lue textiles of the from Chiang Rai THEATRE – Designs using Black Tai (Thai Song Dam) textiles from Ban Don Manow Thai Song Dam Weaving Group in Suphanburi Designs using Black Tai (Thai Song Dam) textiles from in Suphanburi CHAI GOLD LABEL – Designs drawing from Northern-style batik by Rak Batik Group in Chiang Mai Designs drawing from Northern-style batik by in Chiang Mai HOOK'S BY PRAPAKAS – Designs based on hand-painted batik from Ying Batik Paint Group in Phuket Designs based on hand-painted batik from in Phuket WISHARAWISH – Designs using the intricately patterned Pha Lai Yang fabric by Phusa Pha Lai Yang in Phetchaburi Designs using the intricately patterned fabric by in Phetchaburi PYVET – Designs crafted from Porcupine Pattern Pha Jok by Suntaree Thai Textile in Sukhothai Designs crafted from by in Sukhothai JANESUDA – Designs showcasing brightly colored batik from Marionsiam in Bangkok Thai Ruean Ton Dress – Crafted from brocade silk with Chao Fa motifs, inspired by traditional teakwood houses in Dusit Palace – Crafted from brocade silk with Chao Fa motifs, inspired by traditional teakwood houses in Dusit Palace Thai Chitralada Dress – A formal silk outfit with standing collar and embroidered white floral patterns – A formal silk outfit with standing collar and embroidered white floral patterns Thai Amarin Dress – A pink silk pha sin featuring golden rose vines, historically associated with the birthday of King Rama V BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 June 2025 -and, a national agency promoting Thai craftsmanship, have joined hands with—Thailand's hub of creative innovation–to launch the campaign,This nationwide initiative celebrates the cultural legacy of Thai textile traditions from the seven UNESCO Creative Cities across Thailand. These heritage textiles, crafted by national master artisans, are reimagined into contemporary fashion pieces by seven of Thailand's top design houses, as well as the prestigious brand SIRIVANNAVARI, founded by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana event, attended by UNESCO Director - General Audrey Azoulay, on her first official visit to Thailand, launches a long-term collaboration to empower cultural entrepreneurs, promote sustainable innovation, and inspire youth to pursue careers in the creative economy. It also reinforces Thailand's commitment to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), which includes more than 350 cities worldwide. Thailand's recognized Creative Cities–Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Sukhothai, Phetchaburi, Chiang Rai, and Suphanburi–serve as the foundation for this initiative and their distinctive cultural assets inspire the designs on the heart of this exhibition is a collaboration between seven top-tier Thai fashion brands and local artisan groups, with each designer creating two exclusive outfits inspired by a different Creative City—14 looks in total:Among the standout creations are two exclusive clutch bags, personally designed by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. Crafted fromsilk–a textile symbolizing prosperity and harmony–these pieces were handwoven by nationally honoured master artisan Weeratham Taragoonngernthai, founder of thebrand in Surin Province. Embroidered with exquisite detail, each clutch is a one-of-a-kind creation, specially designed for this event highlight is the first-ever public exhibition in Thailand of eight Royal Thai Ensembles worn by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, curated by the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. The designs, by Tirapan Wannarat, founder of thefashion house and Thailand's 2019 National Artist in Visual Arts (Fashion Design), will be on display from June 25–29 at ICONLUXE AVENUE, M Floor, ensembles include:The special collection will debut at Crafts Bangkok 2025, from 18–22 June 2025 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, before its formal launch on 25 June at the textile showcase and royal attire exhibition, visitors will have the rare opportunity to purchase or bid on selected pieces. A special auction will include the limited-edition silk clutches by SIRIVANNAVARI. Proceeds will support a UNESCO initiative to expand access to creative education for young people in Thailand's Creative miss this chance to celebrate Thai cultural heritage, admire the craftsmanship of local masters, and witness how creativity continues to shape Thailand's #ICONCRAFT #ICONCRAFTatICONSIAM #ICONSIAM #SIAMPIWAT #SACIT #UNESCO The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
