Back to batik

The beauty of batik took the spotlight in two shows at Elle Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2019.

Wisharawish Akarasantisook and Phuket Rajabhat University (PKRU) collaborated with four batik producers in Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi in a product development project, whose results were showcased on the catwalk.

The Wisharawish Presented by PKRU show presented the batik in colourful patterns that transport wearers to the beach. The award-winning designer drew inspiration from the peace, tranquillity and joy of being on the beaches of the Andaman Sea.

The breeze and the sound of the sea are represented through the use of silhouettes and natural characteristics of fluttering fabrics. The palette recalls colours that represent each period of beach life, particularly around dusk when the setting Sun changes the shade of the sky, from red to purple to blue and then to darkness.

Ek Thongprasert, T-ra Chantasawasdee and Sarunrat Panchiracharoen put a modern spin on the humble textile, normally associated with lounge- and beachwear, for their eye-catching ready-to-wear collections.

Commissioned by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), Ministry of Culture, the fashion mavericks were among 10 designers who worked with 15 artisanal communities in Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla in reinventing the fabric.

The "Contemporary Southern Batik by OCAC" project had the designers travelling to Thailand's Deep South, where they acquainted themselves with the communities. An exchange of knowledge and know-how between them and local producers resulted in appealing patterns and products, rooted in the places of origin.

Wisharawish Presented by PKRU. Goodwill Communications

Ek Thongprasert traces the history of batik back to the days of Dutch colonialism. He found that techniques used by African colonies shared similarities with those mastered by Malaysians, who influenced Thai batik works.

A combination of the fabric with other textiles is featured in designs with geometric silhouettes, under the "The Reversed Colonialism" collection.

T-ra Chantasawasdee draws upon memories of a trip to Iceland and being mesmerised by the Northern Lights for flowing patterns featured in elegant apparel from his collection.

The glittering glaciers at Diamond Beach have been recreated on the fabric by a dyeing technique using ice while natural forms are reduced and interpreted into patterns paired with a draping silhouette.

A wonderful free-diving experience during a trip to Surin islands inspired colourful motifs reflecting marine life on designs by Sarunrat Panchiracharoen, who recalled how he mingled with sea creatures and felt as one with them.

Besides these three fashion designers, the "Contemporary Southern Batik By OCAC" project involved Hirankrit Pattaraboriboonkul, Patipat Chaiwetesh and Songwut Thongthou, who created accessories and a patchworked stool.

The OCAC also invited esteemed designers from Asean countries with a heritage in batik, namely Filipino Edwin Ao, Indonesian Norita Respati, and Malaysians Eric Choong and Daniel Tsu, whose works were also on display at an exhibition during Elle Fashion Week 2019.