Brunei designer Farhanna Pura was among more than 102 international designers selected to represent their respective countries at the Amazing Thailand Global Thai Silk Exhibition, celebrating cultural identities and craftsmanship through contemporary fashion.
Organised by the Association of Thai Silk and Culture Promotions in conjunction with Thailand’s hosting of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, the exhibition showcased creations by designers from around the world.
The event was held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center and Siam Paragon, one of Bangkok’s prominent shopping destinations, providing an international platform to present Thailand’s cultural heritage alongside the traditions and identities of participating countries.
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Representing Brunei, Farhanna’s creation combines 50 per cent Thai silk with 50 per cent local fibres from Brunei, bringing together the materials and craftsmanship of both countries in a single design.
The initiative builds on the use of Thai silk as a medium for cultural exchange, inviting designers to reinterpret the traditional fabric through contemporary garments inspired by their own national identities.
The organisers supplied predominantly black Thai silk to participating designers as a tribute during the national mourning period following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother and Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati.
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Thailand welcomed approximately 15,000 participants from 191 countries for the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings, widely regarded as one of the major gatherings in the international financial calendar.
The occasion also provided an opportunity for Thailand to showcase its culture, cuisine and hospitality to visiting delegates, while the silk exhibition highlighted the role of fashion and traditional craftsmanship in fostering cross-cultural understanding.
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Through Farhanna’s participation, Brunei’s local materials and creative identity were represented alongside those of more than 100 countries, highlighting the potential for international collaboration to bring together distinct cultural traditions through design.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
