Reviving Thai Textiles for Modern Sustainability
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari drives sustainable fashion, blending tradition with modernity to inspire younger generations.
Thai textiles have been developed for sustainable fashion under the endeavours of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya in an effort to boost popularity and preserve Thai textiles among younger generations. The Princess has vigorously promoted this field of work, with many Thai citizens witnessing the result of her endeavours, similar to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, as the Princess has further developed Her Majesty’s works.
Recently, the Bangkok Post had the opportunity to interview Suttipong Juljarern, Permanent Secretary for Interior, and his wife, Dr Wandee Khunchornyakong Juljarern, who serves as the President of Ministry of Interior’s Ladies Association, about their direct contribution to this field of work. Mr Suttipong said the Princess has desired to alleviate the burden of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and continue the work initiated by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.
This is in line with the royal proclamation delivered by His Majesty the King during his coronation on 4 May 2019, where His Majesty declared, “We will continue, preserve and rule the land with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of all people.”
As the efforts of the ministry to alleviate the hardship of people are recognised, the Princess then sought assistance in delivering her initiatives to the public to continue the support of Arts and Crafts Centres by focusing on local textiles in each province. Mr Suttipong said he and his wife had the opportunity to carry out the initiatives from Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari because the Ministry of Interior has units across the country responsible for the well-being of people in all 76 provinces, which sets it apart from other ministries.
“Both of us had the opportunity to carry out the Princess’s initiatives as the ministry has duties different from other ministries. Our agencies have responsibility for the well-being, curing suffering, nourishing happiness, of people in all 76 provinces,” he said. Mr Suttipong said during his tenure as Director-General of the Community Development Department in 2019, the Princess began her plans to perpetuate Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s legacy and mitigate His Majesty the King’s burden to help local villagers to resolve unsold textiles.
Thai textiles feature traditional designs, patterns, colours, and techniques. However, the Princess was aware that the old-fashioned textiles lack appeal among younger generations, so she applied the Western concepts she had studied and experienced to develop the products.
To make these products popular among younger generations, the Princess has created various styles to meet every generation’s needs by introducing a range of colour shades and pattern designs. Coaching sessions have also been provided to locals, while the Ministry of Interior has been tasked with encouraging locals to finish homework and assignments. The Princess has also inspired villagers to design trendy Thai textiles besides traditional and formal styles.
Her coaching team includes renowned designers, such as Polpat “Moo Asava” Asavaprapha and Kullawit “Ford” Laosuksri. They have played the role of motivating villagers to set a new mindset to produce versatile styles for people of all ages.
“As an official of the ministry, our role is to deliver know-how to locals because we lacked fashion knowledge. We then assisted the Princess to promote the profession of designing chemical-free local textiles,” said Mr Suttipong.
“We also organised contests to create motivation, such as young designer competitions and fashion shows. This initiative boosted the sales of Thai textiles with patents to prevent counterfeit items.”
Dr Wandee said the feedback is positive. Nowadays, many people are seen wearing Thai textiles due to modern styles with diverse patterns. The Princess is a great leader who has inspired people to embrace Thai attire, she said, adding that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin acts as a good influencer to wear Thai clothing.
“Her Royal Highness did not just stop here, but the Princess aims to expand sustainable fashion to other fields of work, such as environmental conservation, stressing the participation of younger generations and ensuring good income earned from the products,” said Dr Wandee.
“The Princess also extended her efforts to make social stability by promoting drug-free communities and environmental conservation, and volunteering, in order to lead to the formation of this professional group based on the principles of self-sufficiency,” she said. “Everything starts with fashion to end at a sustainable village.”
To achieve 17 world Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the future and leave no one behind, she also pointed out the importance of the association to play a role in preserving and expanding the cultural heritage, including traditional crafts and textiles, amid the changes of the era.
Princess Sirivannavari Bestows “Sustainable Fashion” Logo
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya graciously bestowed the “Sustainable Fashion” logo designed by the princess on certified textile products. Seen in photo: Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya (centre); Thananon Niramit (left), wife of Anutin Charnvirakul; Anutin Charnvirakul (2nd left), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Gita Sabharwal (3rd left), UN resident coordinator in Indonesia; Dr Pakpilai Thavisin (3rd right), wife of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin; Dr Wandee Khunchornyakong Juljarern (2nd right), President of Ministry of Interior’s Ladies Association; Suttipong Juljarern (right), Permanent Secretary for Interior.
The Princess aims to expand sustainable fashion to other fields of work, such as environmental conservation, stressing the participation of younger generations and ensuring good income earned from the products.