“The Look” builds a bridge between Thai and Australian creative design students
12 February 2015
“The Look”, a Thai-Australian creative design project partially funded by the Australia - Thailand Institute (ATI), will exhibit the works of aspiring Thai designers from 1-5 March at TonTann Art Space and Gallery in Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Celebrated Thai designer, Ms Chitra Mangma, creator of Melbourne fashion label ‘Chitra’s Closet’, returned to her hometown of Khon Kaen to launch The Look- a unique project to help Thai students to develop and brand their design products.
Thai students from the Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University have participated in the project through which Ms Mangma has shared her Australian design and business experience through workshops and one-on-one mentoring.
Through The Look, students have for the first time each created their own professional collection. The collections, which range from textiles to ceramic objects, focus on the use of local materials to creatively reflect local culture.
“There are so many young talented people both here and in Australia and they create wonderful design but they don’t necessarily know how to bring these designs to market, or how to establish themselves as a brand. That is where The Look comes in”, said Ms Mangma.
Following its display in Khon Kaen, the exhibition of students’ collections will travel to Melbourne for an exhibition at Brunswick Business Incubator on 15 March. Australian emerging fashion students and professional designers will have the opportunity to meet the Thai students and explore future collaboration.
“Australia is a young and vibrant country with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The embassy is pleased to support the The Look project and welcome the important role it will play in increasing connections between highly skilled and very creative people from Thailand and Australia”, said Australian Ambassador to Thailand HE Mr Paul Robilliard.
Ms Mangma is an alumna of Khon Kaen University and Melbourne School of Fashion, Australia.
"The Look” Exhibition in Khon Kaen :
Date : March 1-5, 2015
Press Conference : March 1 (Sunday), at 6 pm
Location : TonTann Art Space and Gallery, TonTann Market, KhonKaen province
For more information about the project, please contact Ms Chitra Mangma at Tel 098-993-2377.