TASHI PARYANG | Thimphu
Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the Royal Patron of the Royal Textile Academy (RTA), launched the Theory of Colour Booklet, Survey Reports on National Textile Purchase and Consumption, Youth Attitude on Weaving, Bhutanese Weaving Culture and Designing, Bhutan Hand-woven Textile Industry 2022, and the Design Resource Centre on 29 November.
The launch is a significant milestone in RTA’s journey in fulfilling its directive as a centre of learning, research and generation of new knowledge.
The survey reports aim to provide an update on the status of the textile sector in Bhutan while offering insights into our textile practice.
The data and findings serve to provide policymakers, industry stakeholders, practitioners and interested parties with a profound understanding of the textile sector, to forecast and guide the formulation of policies and programmes which will further develop the textile and design industry.
RTA is the first organisation that is working towards being a depository of textile knowledge in Bhutan.
The Theory of Colour booklet is to enhance and expand the designing skills of Bhutanese weavers beyond their traditional colour schemes.
At the same time, this booklet aims to document the traditional colour schemes of Bhutanese textiles and serve as a reference for future weavers and others interested in our textile heritage.
The booklets will be distributed to weavers in the country and it is also anticipated that training will be accompanied when distributing these booklets.
Finally, the Design Resource Centre is a physical space where design books and resources will be available to all who are involved in the creative sector.
Currently, there are about 200 books covering a wide range of topics including graphic design, branding, fashion history, pattern cutting and biographies of different designers.
Specific to weavers and fashion designers, there are more than 100 different types of fibres, yarns, dyeing materials and sample fabrics that are available for reference, review and detailed examination.
It is also hoped that the Design Research Centre will continue to grow its collection and serve as a repository of empirical knowledge and resources related to textiles and design.
The survey reports and the Theory of Colour booklets have been possible with the support of Dr. Joseph Lo, PhD from the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage (CFCH) of the Smithsonian Institution and the William H. Geiger Family Foundation Inc, USA.
RTA said the academy expresses its gratitude to Ms. Jackie Cho for donating her time and expertise to guide the design of the Theory of Colour booklet.