Princess launches own handcrafted collections

Outlook News - Sunday December 23, 2007

IN THE LIMELIGHT

A PARTY WITH A ROYAL TOUCH

Princess launches own handcrafted collections

USNISA SUKHSVASTI

To mark her birthday recently, HRH Princess Srirasm, Royal Consort of HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, hosted the "Pha Tor Jak San Ngan Silp" (The Art of Weaving and Basketry) event in the compound of the Support 904 shop on Sukhothai Road. The tea party and fashion show were to launch the latest collection of handcrafted products that the princess has designed using traditional cotton fabrics and baskets, with a decorative touch of her own.

The products were presented during a fashion show featuring HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha in the finale.

All proceeds from sales of products on the day went to the HRH Prince Dhipankara Rasmijoti Charity Fund.

Guests arrived early in the afternoon, and went on a spending spree in the Support 904 shop, buying up the woven handbags with decorative tassels or silver beads designed by the princess, including earrings and trendy necklaces made from pha khao ma fabric, chains and wooden beads, leathercrafts, notebooks, beaded silk shawls, cushions, jackets and T-shirts.

The highlight of the collection featured the use of pha khao ma fabric sewn on backing material and frayed in bias strips to create a colourful, textured look called pha pui chaliang.

Guests were then invited to be seated in the garden, which had been set up with tea tables and a long catwalk decorated with flowers and bird cages. Soon the royal family arrived: HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and HRH Prince Dhipankara Rasmijoti in matching pha khao ma tartan neckties, and HRH Princess Srirasm in a chic and summery blue pha khao ma dress.

The fashion show featured guest models, namely, Nandhamalee Bhirombhakdi, Sanongnuch Charnvirakul, Usana Mahakijsiri, Sikanya Saktidej Bhanubhand, Nusaba Punnakan, Nutthira Boonsri, Chanadda Chirathivat, Dr Mona Asavisanu, Sopitnapa Chumpani, Sinjai Plengpanich, Yupapak Vajrabhaya, Saranthorn Tejapaibul, Charuwan Chotitewan, Varaluck Vanichkul, Ardhavadee Jiramaneekul, Jitapas Bhirombhakdi, Pimdao Panichsamai, Anchisa Vajraphol, Tatim Raksajit, Pichana Sanguansat, Sidarat Buddhinan, Tipthanya Valyasevi, Panwad Nirankul, Nikki Chatikavanich, Piti Bhirombhakdi, Songkran Techanarong and Sithichoke Plengpanich.

The collection was divided into three sections: Global Warming, featuring pha khao ma bags silkscreened with global warming slogans to encourage people to use shopping bags instead of plastic bags; Young Designers, featuring up-and-coming designers who had recently won a contest to design handcrafted products from natural materials organised by the Department of Industrial Promotion, Ministry of Industry; and the "HRH Princess Srirasm" collection, using local basketry enhanced with the princess' decorations, giving them a trendy and modern look.

The collections are aimed at helping villagers and members of the Sai Yai Rak project, and farming housewives earn additional income from handmade products, as well as preserving the art of local handicrafts.

Bangkok Post