BENJARONG
THE ESSENCE OF SILK AND NATURAL FIBERS
With the 2009 Benjarong Collection, Jim Thompson revives centuries-old traditions to reinvent the elegance of Thai silk and natural fibres in creative new ways. The ethos of this collection is the ability to mix the past and present, traditional and modern, old and new to establish a look and feel which transcends time and place to serve a multitude of design and decorative ideas.
The word Benjarong (meaning five-colour) comes from the name given to ornate, uniquely patterned antique export porcelain originally made exclusively for the Siamese royalty. Centuries ago, Benjarong wares were produced in China but decorated with colourful Thai designs which found their inspiration from Indian and Persian motifs. Already then, Siam lay at a cultural crossroads of Asia and this influence was richly reflected in the opulent style of Siamese art. Still today as exhibited in the exciting Benjarong Collection, the result of this multifaceted mixture of oriental and eastern traditions continues to inspire Jim Thompson in daring new ways. The hand-woven fabrics in this collection stand out because of their unique characteristics. The silk cultivated in Thailand, which is more textured and less uniform, adds a special quality and dimension to the fabric, whether the choice is ikat, print or plain.