Transforming Local: 

Discover the New Face of Contemporary Crafts by Central Group

As many of you already know, the theme for Chiang Mai Design Week 2023 is ‘Transforming Local: Adapt / Enhance / Local / Grow.’ CEA Chiang Mai has invited local entrepreneurs and designers to celebrate the festival and has welcomed many partners to create engaging showcases. Among these partners, Central Group, the Thai forefront retail company that has always supported local creativity and integrated it with the contemporary design ecosystem to enhance the Thai creative industry worldwide, has enthusiastically joined this remarkable local transformation.

The ‘Transforming Local Crafts’ exhibition reveals the fresh faces of Thai crafts. Central Group has collaborated with leading Thai designers and local craft entrepreneurs to create a new collection of craft products that align with contemporary lifestyles and the modern market while still showcasing their traditional craft roots.

The exhibition will feature 10 contemporary craft works resulting from this fantastic collaboration. Examples include the mid-century lounge chair that Moonler and Ratthee Phaisanchotsiri co-created and the backrest pillow that Ninechaidee and T-ra Chantasawasdee co-created. In addition, audiences will be able to admire new collections from contemporary craft studios such as Charm-Learn Studio, Slowstitch, Pachana Studio, InClay Studio, Debua x Apiwat Chitapanya, Huen Por Sa x {JUN} Thanyapon Jittrapirom, Saprang and Studio Mueja.

This exhibition will be held at the Lanna Folklife Museum (opposite the Three Kings Monument). Following Chiang Mai Design Week, Central Group will organize roadshow exhibitions at its department stores to reach a wider audience. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for December 2 – 10, 2023, and join us for Chiang Mai Design Week 2023 throughout the city of Chiang Mai.