Designs to dye for

FRIENDS SINCE their student days at Rajamangala University of Technology Rattankosin, young designers Ngamchit Udomsunthronsakul, 24 and Chukiat Bunrueang, 25, are putting their hearts into sustaining Thai folk wisdom by introducing indigo dying techniques to their intriguing handcrafted leather accessories.

Graduates in product design, they acquired their marketing skills during stints with a design company and a Korean online shopping site and last year decided to set up their own online store Fulame. 

The seed for going indigo was planted while the pair was attending a series of handicraft workshops organised by The Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Sacict). There, they met a specialist from Mae Teeta, the renowned indigo-dyed apparel brand from Sakon Nakhon province, and received training in dyeing fabric using natural materials. They tested the idea on their leather creations and a new collection was born. 

“Initially, our products looked banal. They were just too similar to other handicrafts on the local market so we tried to add more Thai character to our designs. We registered as a member of Sacict and took many courses in Thai-style craftsmanship. We learnt how to paint on batik fabric, weave a basket with bulrush and engrave coloured mirrors. But we were most interested in kram (the indigo dying process) because it took us back to our Thai roots,” Ngamchit explains.

“There are many formulas, depending on your style. Our kram is a mixture of indigo, lye water, fresh tamarind, honey, rice whisky and brown sugar. The indigo dyeing technique produces long-lasting, bright colours and virtual dimensional patterns on leather,” Chukiat adds. 

“It’s like having a pet. We have to learn the nature of our kram vessel and talk to it every day! We have to observe what it likes and dislikes. We have to pay attention to every detail and add oxygen regularly because the pot is full of microbes. We create a beautiful blue palette by nurturing our kram. That might sound like nonsense but that’s the charm of Thai folk wisdom,” he explains.

The brand’s name combines the first letters of “function”, “unique” “luxury” and “me”. The pair use leather from Japan, ideal for its soft texture, and offer a range of designs that are simple, smart, durable and practical.

Their talent has been recognised with invitations pouring in to showcase their creations at the International Innovative Craft Fair, Bangkok International Gifts and Houseware Fairs, Expo Thailand, the Debut Wall at Thailand Creative & Design Center and the Thailand Festival in Japan. 

“All products are hand crafted. A kram pot creates different tones of blue every time we dip and stain leather, so our products really are one-of-a-kind,” Ngamchit says.

They recently introduced their new collection at Singapore’s popular Public Garden Fair, exhibiting sleek wallets in different sizes and designs, key chains, stylish woven bracelets, passport cases, adjustable watch straps, name card bags, pencil caps, notebook covers and employee card holders with a strap. 

Ngamchit also offers eye-catching indigo-dyed blouses, T-shirts and casual sack dresses. 

“We plan to expand our range to include leather bags and home decor items,” Chukiat says. 

Shoppers can check out their goodies in the Go Green project at CentralWorld, Central Chidlom, Central Lat Phrao and Central East Ville until Wednesday. 

  

 

INDIGO INNOVATIONS

>> Fulame’s collection is available in the Support Foundation store at Suvarnabhumi Airport and multibrand store VP Factory at Asiatique. Find out more at the Fulame page on Facebook and Instagram.