Under the policy of promoting Thailand’s Soft Power and creative industries, and in continuation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s royal initiative to preserve and promote Thai silk for a long time, the 13th Thai Silk Road to the World festival was held. The event was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Association for the Promotion of Thai Silk and Culture, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, as well as public and private sectors, and took place at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall. Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon (RMUTP), particularly the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program of the Faculty of Home Economics Technology, was among the departments supported to utilize Thai fabrics and silk to create clothing, footwear, bags, and various items. This initiative aims to provide jobs and income for people and communities, thus promoting the country’s economy.
RMUTP was selected to design and tailor outfits for H.E. Mr. Jonathan Dale Kings, the New Zealand Ambassador to Thailand, and Mrs. Amanda McDonald, his wife. The fashion design and merchandising students, under the guidance of Asst.Prof. Atcha Hattayananon and Lecturer Mallika Jongjit, worked on the design and tailoring.
Mr. Pawaret Charoensilp, a third-year student in the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program and a member of the design team, shared that he had the opportunity to participate in designing and tailoring the outfit for the New Zealand Ambassador to Thailand. This opportunity came through the invitation of Asst.Prof. Athcha and Lecturer Mallika, who are experienced in tailoring for such events. The outfit designed this time emphasized simplicity while incorporating intricate details to enhance its beauty, such as choosing a color palette that reflects the identity of New Zealand, designing patterns on the fabric, and using sewing techniques that highlight Thai characteristics. The challenge in this project was the limited time, requiring them to capture the ambassador’s requirements as thoroughly as possible during each meeting. The team comprised nine members, divided into four departments: pattern making, fabric cutting, sewing, and embroidery. Every aspect of the work required knowledge, experience, and various techniques. Therefore, the knowledge gained in the classroom, including color theme selection and teamwork, was crucial and applicable to this project.
