Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - Thai indigo-dyed fabric, known as Kraam, is gaining renewed attention on the global fashion scene as Thailand advances fashion as a form of cultural influence tied to economic value and sustainability.
The growing international interest indicates a shift in how traditional textiles are viewed, moving beyond visual appeal toward storytelling rooted in identity and heritage.
This approach was on display at the Kraam International Symposium 2025, held under the theme Hands Across Culture. The event used indigo-dyed textiles as a starting point for dialogue between tradition and contemporary fashion. Organised by the Community Development Department of the Ministry of Interior, the symposium opened under the presidency of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, drawing international attention to Thai textiles.
Designers, fashion editors, academics, curators, and influencers from Thailand and abroad took part in discussions over several days. Sessions explored the origins of indigo dyeing, its cultural meaning, and its adaptation for modern fashion, reshaping Kraam from a local craft into a cultural asset with global relevance.
Sustainability was a main subject throughout the program. Participants examined how traditional weaving and plant-based dyes align with environmentally responsible practices while supporting long-term income for local communities. These discussions placed Thai textiles within debates about the future direction of the global fashion industry.
As international fashion observers continue to watch, Kraam stands as an example of how culture, economy, and sustainability can move forward together through fashion./.
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