For a few days during the first week of February, news headlines in Thailand included reports about ‘elephant pants’. Discussions ranged from trade competitiveness and intellectual property to Thailand’s attempts to increase its soft power. According to a London based fashion historian, pushing a fashion trend as an element of a country’s soft power raises questions about its origins.

 

Promoting a fashion trend as an element of soft power is short sighted

 

For fashion connoisseurs, ‘elephant pants’ could be seen as ‘harem pants’ making a comeback from the 1910s. The style, popularised by Paul Poiret, featured a party costume with ballooning pants fitted at the ankle. They are very similar to what we know today as part of the essential ‘tourist uniform’, worn with tank tops, t-shirts or matching loose shirts.

 

“It’s great that this has become a global trend, but as a national policy to promote it as an element of soft power, I think it’s very short sighted of the government. In terms of fashion, you don’t own a fashion trend”, said Lupt Utama, a London based fashion historian and Emmy Award nominated costume designer.

 

The use of elephant motifs is also not new. According to Lupt, “since the 15th and 16th centuries, elephants have been motifs on textiles. Exported Indian chintz, for example. Even now, they are made into fashion items, like Loewe in 2016, who produced this really cute elephant bag, and they’re copied worldwide by Zara. Even Jim Thompson produced this really cute shopping bag, so it’s nothing new”.

 

In fact, elephant motifs are popular because of their origins shared by many cultures. “I think it is the cultural aspect that comes with it as well. As you know, elephants in Thai culture have lots of meaning, including longevity and wisdom. In India, and many other countries around southeast Asia, elephants also have symbolic meanings”, Lupt added.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-12

 

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1 hour ago, webfact said:

Promoting a fashion trend as an element of soft power is short sighted

Those pants are so tacky.....

There's really only 1 big elephant in the room in thailand. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

As you know, elephants in Thai culture have lots of meaning, including longevity and wisdom

And profit which is the real Thai culture.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“It’s great that this has become a global trend, but as a national policy to promote it as an element of soft power, I think it’s very short sighted of the government. In terms of fashion, you don’t own a fashion trend”, said Lupt Utama

Lupt Utama, you my get sued for bubble bursting... 

Dam, so my fisherman's pants aren't fashionable, Oh No I so ashamed. IMO they are more iconic of Thailand. 

If the  prime minister sees   elephant pants as the only problem with trade imports from China he should maybe consult the Finance minister and give himself a good talking to.