Aubrey Kurlansky, a textile artist, is bringing his experience of East and West to create unique silk art. Drawing on his experience as an artist and creator, and with a background in graphic design, art and photography, he applies these disciplines when designing patterns for his scarves, which are printed on both sides. In his talk, Aubrey will explain the process of integrating his skills in art and photography with his love of beauty and pattern making, which is applied to different formats and printed on silk, transformed into scarves and other elegant sartorial items. Growing up in South Africa, educated in the UK, and having traveled across many countries and diverse cultures, Aubrey brings together his notion of grace and refinement to make his impressions visible and accessible. He moved to Singapore in 2013 and then Thailand, where he has worked at Bensley Bangkok, known for its fine hospitality business. Aubrey’s designs and artworks are on display in hotels throughout the world under his brand name AKWA. Each of his silk scarves, dresses, kimono shawls and skirts is of limited-edition, and a rare collectible item.

This year, Dr Navamintr Tom Vitayakul will bring his collections of classical kimonos to juxtapose with contemporary creations of Issey Miyake. Kimonos are the vibrant, trend-setting garments that keep evolving from the Edo-period “Floating World” (Ukiyo-e) culture, documented in prints of samurais, actors and courtesans, to modern interpretations blending tradition and digital innovation. The talk will start from the traditions of kimono in its history, identity, status, seasons, and occasions. Then it will explore the artistry of designs and techniques from weaving, dyeing, embroidery, and printing to create patterns, colours, textures, and symbols. Kimono isn’t just clothing but a statement signalling social rank, personal taste, and even allegiance. It will further move to the transition to modernity in Japonisme, the widespread influence of Japanese art, fashion, and aesthetics on Western culture in the mid-19th to the early 20th century, which brought the craze for all things Japanese. Through trade and public exposure, Japanese woodblock prints, ceramics, and textiles impacted visual styles and art movements. Finally, in the Digital Age, the late designer Issey Miyake will be honoured for his fusion of creative philosophy and fashion innovation in technology-driven clothing and objects. Miyake’s designs from special collections will be displayed and discussed. Come and join this TTS Collector’s Corner in your favourite kimono or in a conversational piece by Issey Miyake to celebrate all things “Made in Japan*”. Dr Navamintr Tom Vitayakul co-owns and works at The Rose Hotel Bangkok, The Rose Residence and Ruen Urai Fine Thai Cuisine. He is a Council Member at The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage and a Textile Advisor at the Thai Textile Society Committee. He spoke at four former Collector’s Corners and has contributed to Thai and English magazines on art, culture, travel and lifestyle. As well, he wrote several articles and provided exceptional photographs for the TTS Newsletter and Pah Thai magazine.

Paris-based collector and former resident of Thailand, Louis-Sébastien Ohl, will share with us his appreciation of traditional textiles from Isaan, and why in his opinion its widely diverse people have produced, and still do, some of the most attractive, happy-looking textiles of Thailand. Isaan people have brought to life their beliefs and traditions in delicate, harmonious patterns woven in the complex mudmee (weft ikat) in fine silk or cotton, and are a unique legacy to the women who wove them. For Louis-Sébastien, the strong graphic dimension of the textiles’ designs, enhanced by the complex and intricate mudmee technique, is what he finds pleases the mind. Patterns are almost abstract or in stylized shapes, inspired by the people’s environment, whether nature around them or animals. Colors are generally lively and at times deeply saturated. The high-quality locally produced home-spun silk generates a beautiful sheen. Through some 40 selected antique and vintage traditional pieces, and a few contemporary creations from his collection, he will share with us why he believes that most village textiles from this region haven’t yet earned the status level of recognition they deserve among world and Thailand-based collectors. The presentation will include scores of personal photographic materials, many taken in situ during Louis-Sébastien’s visits to local villages and manufactures. The talk aims at taking a fresher look at the beauty and diversity of Isaan textiles, particularly in silk.