Thai silk a statement of style and diplomacy<\/p>\n
Syahmedi Dean, Contributor\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Thai silk is one of the most popular fabrics among fashion
\ndesigners, at least in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Clothing made of Thai silk exude an impression of chicness, as
\nthis fabric -- made in Thailand from the cocoons of Thai
\nsilkworms that feed on Thai mulberry leaves -- has a luxurious
\nsheen and a natural texture.<\/p>\n
The popularity of Thai silk in Indonesia reached new heights
\nat the Swasdee Muang Thai, or \"Congratulations, Thailand\",
\nfashion show on Sept. 6, when 15 designers of the Indonesian
\nFashion Designers Council -- sponsored by the Thai government --
\nunveiled their creative interpretations of the fabric in the
\nballroom of the Hotel Hilton Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The show was sponsored by the Thai government and organized by
\nAmbassador of Thailand to Indonesia Atchara Seriputra to
\ncommemorate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between
\nIndonesia and Thailand, and appeared donned in the uniquely
\nIndonesian kebaya, a traditional blouse, over a wraparound skirt
\nof Thai silk.<\/p>\n
In her key note speech, Seriputra said that relations between
\nIndonesia and Thailand would become ever stronger with this show,
\nadding, \"I'm lucky enough to be a female envoy, so I have a
\nreason to celebrate an important event with a fashion show.\"<\/p>\n
The popularity of Thai silk is inseparable from the efforts
\nmade by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. In the 1960s, when the queen
\ntraveled frequently all over the globe with the King of Thailand,
\nshe saw how the Indian sari and the Japanese kimono could
\nrepresent the identity of their nations of origin. It struck the
\nqueen that Thailand should have its own national identity, an
\nidea which prompted her to wear only Thai silk clothing on her
\ninternational trips -- and thereby promoting Thai silk the world
\nover.<\/p>\n
\"The popularity of Thai silk is attributed to Queen Sirikit's
\nefforts. As far as I know, she always gives Thai silk as a state
\nsouvenir every time she visits a foreign country,\" said designer
\nDidi Budiarjo, who presented his pieces for the House of Prajudi.<\/p>\n
Didi chose Thai silk in bright fuchsia to create a Victorian
\nblouse with a matching full skirt, the current rave. He gave the
\noutfit an Indonesian touch with a belt of Nusa Tenggara textile,
\nsecured with a large gold buckle, and a skirt-train in the same
\ntextile.<\/p>\n
Thai silk is such a favorite among Indonesian designers that
\nmany cannot recall when they first used this fabric in their
\ndesigns. Didi gave up the attempt laughing, and Sebastian Gunawan
\nalso could not recall his introduction to Thai silk.<\/p>\n
For this show, Sebastian sent down the catwalk an elegant
\norange gown that evoked the full figure of a woman from the
\nMediterranean.<\/p>\n
\"This fabric allows me to create designs with a strong
\nstructure. This is what I like about Thai silk,\" said Sebastian,
\na graduate of the Instituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy.<\/p>\n
Deny Wirawan remembered that he first used Thai silk in 1998:
\n\"That was the first time I took part in a fashion show for the
\nIndonesian Fashion Designers Council.\" Thai silk is Deny's
\npreferred fabric, as it is an ideal medium for his printed
\nmotifs.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, we (Indonesia) also have very good silk fabrics,
\nand of great variety. The problem is that only a few parties are
\nfinancially strong enough to promote these materials,\" said
\ndesigner Tuty Cholid, who presented two evening gowns with an
\nasymmetrical cut.<\/p>\n
As the commissioner of Prima Silk Cooperative, an organization
\nthat collaborates with the government to develop silk
\ncultivation, Tuty has been promoting the fabric actively. Later
\nthis month, she added, Prima Silk would exhibit Indonesian silk
\nat the Trend Indonesia 2006 Show.<\/p>\n
As part of the anniversary program, the Jakarta Hilton is also
\nhosting a product exhibit by OTOP (One Tambon, One Product),
\nwhich promotes Thai grassroots economies, along with a Thai food
\nfestival, from Sept. 7 through Sept. 11.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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