Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Accessories in Northern Thai Hilltribe Style

The Hilltribe Handicraft Training Center has worked with hilltribes Akha, Yao, Lahu, Hmong, Khamu, and Thai. A few of their products stay true to native forms. Example: the jacket for a small boy trimmed with fluffy red cotton above on the left. Much of the inventory incorporates traditional textiles and patterns into modern and sometimes western shapes.
Loud colors like hot pink and electric orange make an eye-catching accessory out of an otherwise small, less conspicuous pouch. 30THB or 1USD.
Purse or pencil case. Plain weave black trim appears often. Is this because it's affordable (probably mass-produced) or because of the belief in "black goes with everything"?
Though it seems to work here, an alternative, higher quality material for the details would better suit the design and craftsmanship of the fabric, or, alternatively, polish off the look by sharpening it, rather than dulling it down. Perhaps an update would improve their marketability too. Just a thought!
Embroidered with swirling floral vines, this teeny bag will carry your cell phone, card, and cash. When that's all one needs, this is sweet and convenient.
Travel light with something original, colorful and soft. Purchases support hilltribe communities at this store which is run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Thailand. According to its small wholesale catalogue, this religious organization promotes handicraft training among young people, and then markets their work so that they may attend school on their own income.

4 comments:

  1. Hello there,

    Thanks for your share.
    Do you still keep the number of The Hilltribe Handicraft Training Center ? i am interested with the bags, it's very ethnic.

    Thanks,
    Aster

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you, Aster!

    I'm in Bangkok now and will have the information for you next week.

    Kind regards,

    Colleen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Here it is:
    248/1 Maneenoparat Road T. Sripum
    A. Muang, Chiangmai 50200
    Fax/Phone: 053-287-047
    Mobile: (66) 89-185-4432
    (66) 84-450-1642
    Email: sdatam@loxinfo.co.th; rungsits@adventist.or.th
    Website: www.adventist.or.th

    ReplyDelete
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