Dressing up with Doi Tung
Treat mum to a special gift with a quality, hand-crafted product from the royal project
Other than bowing down in front of your mum with a jasmine garland and taking her out for lunch at a nice restaurant, are you also giving her a special gift on her special day, which falls next Sunday?
If so, you still have time to check out the Doi Tung Lifestyle Shop, where you’ll find a range of gorgeous handicrafts created by skilled artisans in Chiang Rai.
Part of the Doi Tung Development Project under the patronage of the Princess Mother, the first branch was opened back in 1990 up in the mountains and offered hand-woven textiles, ceramic tableware, mulberry paper accessories and hand-woven separates.
“Our aim is to improve the living standards of the hilltribes. All proceeds from sales are used to improve public utilities and support reforestation,” says Khunying Puangroi Diskul na Ayudhya, the project’s executive director.
Under the concept “sustainable design”, Doi Tung combines folk wisdom with modern techniques. Traditional wooden looms are still used while villagers are taught how to weave textiles in more complicated patterns by designers and specialists.
The designs are simple yet stylish and production is based on the zero-waste philosophy to save the environment.
The Doi Tung shop on the second floor of Siam Discovery has recently undergone renovations and is now a one-stop store offering everything from home decor items through clothes to food. The cosy story is fitted with natural wood throughout and is a great place to browse.
“We’re very concerned about the environment. We want to reduce leftover materials as much as we can so we turned scraps of mulberry paper baskets and bags. And we try to use hand-woven textiles to produce blankets, scarves, placemats and handbags too,” says Khunying Puangroi.
For mother’s day, the shop is offering a range of special gift sets, some packed with cosmetic bag and shawls or beautiful scarves made from hand-woven cotton.
Also on sale are pillows, carpets, Converse canvas sneakers, animal-shaped dolls, umbrellas, ceramic mugs, plates and tea sets, as well as stationery, fans, and key rings made out of mulberry paper.
The boutique corner is home to a selection of blouses, jackets, trousers, skirts, vests, shirts as well as handbags, shoulder bags and hats.
Doi Tung Lifestyle Shop has branches at Mae Fah Luang Foundation head office near Lumpini Park and Bon Marche Market.
BROWSING MADE EASY
Doi Tung Lifestyle Shop is located on the second floor of Siam Discovery. It’s open daily from 10am to 9pm. Call (02) 658 0427 or visit www.DoiTung.com
