Mr. Thakoon Panichgul, noted American Fashion Designer with Thai descent, during a visit to Chiang Mai and Lampoon provinces highlighted the potential of Thai fabric and noted that Thailand possesses cultural heritage and specialization in traditional Thai weaving methods which should be preserved. He further stressed the importance of creativity and meeting global standards through the promotion of branding and designing.
On 16-18 July 2011, Miss Vimon Kidchob, Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with Mr. Thakoon, observed Thai fabric and accessories in the Northern Provinces of Thailand. The project in Chiang Mai and Lampoon provinces, which is focused on fabric and accessories, is a part of the Local Branding Project, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and with support of the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Commerce.
On this occasion, Mr. Thakoon visited famous Thai weaving industries including Teen Jok Mae Jam Woven Cotton in Chiang Mai province, and Brocade Silk of Lampoon province (Yok Dok Silk). He also had the opportunity to visit Wua Lai village in Chiang Mai province, the center of the silver craft industry in Chiang Mai province.
Mr. Thakoon was also a guest speaker at “Empowering Northern Thai Scent of Design with Global Fashion”, a seminar held by the Foreign Ministry in cooperation with Chiang Mai University to provide inspiration and motivation for Thailand’s young designers to have courage to develop and motivate themselves to compete in the fashion industry at the global level. Mr. Thakoon delivered his views and experience in the fashion industry to more than 100 young Thai designers who participated in the seminar. Mr. Thakoon also emphasized the importance of brand building and constant development and experiment.
During the latter half of the seminar, Mr. Thakoon sat through product presentations by 3 Thai designers including Mr. Sumet Pankaew (costume designer focusing on Thai traditional fabric), Ms. Somsri Pewon (Jewelry designer focusing on silver) and Mr. Sukrit Kaewdam (textile designer focusing on Thai weaving technique). Mr.Thakoon paid close attention to the presentations and praised the designers for their innovation and creativity, which were also based on local Thai wisdoms.
Mr.Thakoon remarked that it is important to work with passion, and to use creativity as a motivator. He added that designers are not only required to be open-minded, but also, must come up with fresh ideas and be ready to learn about new developments on a constant basis. Mr. Thakoon shared the view that successful designers needed to balance between business and creativity. He also voiced his conviction that the fashion industry has neither caste nor discrimination, and that a high quality final product was the only certain guarantor of success.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th