Bhukram is a natural-dyed, hand-embroidered cotton brand emphasizing on co-creation between people and their local surroundings to preserve local wisdom and natural environment.
While working on a small scale, we aim for deep roots into the artisans’ attitude with nature and the meditative concentration from handiwork, it refines their minds, gradually shifts their perspectives, recognizes their own inner values and their surroundings via connecting those things in harmony.
When the way a person thinks begins to change, a small spark creates a ripple effect, starting from the individual, to the family, the village, and eventually moving outward to the wider world—one stitch at a time.
The Beginning
Bhukram began in 2014 and has now reached its 10-year milestone. Today, our community has grown to about 80 members, most of whom are women ranging in age from 16 to 80 years old.
The brand was founded by Pilan Thaisuang (also known as Meaw). With a background as a local historian and archaeologist, Meaw spent years researching community history and developed a deep passion for the environment. Bhukram was born from her simple yet powerful desire: to return to her roots and build a meaningful life in her hometown.
Bhukram’s Workspace
Bhukram is nestled in a valley within the ‘Phu Phan mountain range’ of Sakon Nakhon province, surrounded by lush highlands. Our main studio is located in ‘Ban Nang Toeng’, with members living in surrounding villages such as Nong San, Yang Lon, Khok Phu, and Ban Klang, all are in Phu Phan district.
Most villagers here are farmers-both rice farming and other agriculture-and who live in harmony with nature. When the rice farming season ends, the women traditionally weave cotton cloth to make clothing for their families. This deep-rooted connection to the land and the loom is the foundation of everything we create.
Gradually changed from the past
In the beginning, most local women focused on weaving cotton, with a small amount of silk. The most popular natural dyes were indigo and ebony fruit. In this region, villagers often called indigo-dyed clothes “black shirts” because they would dye the fabric repeatedly until the indigo became a deep, dark shade. The traditional style of these cotton threads was notably fine and delicate.
As time passed, changes in society, education, and the economy caused a decline in traditional weaving and indigo dyeing. The transfer of wisdom from one generation to the next began to fade, as modern life pulled local people away from their traditional roots and nature.
With the rise of new technology and modern comforts, life became more dependent on money. As it became easier to buy things rather than to make them, the community’s self-reliance in basic needs—such as growing their own food and weaving their own clothes—gradually disappeared.
Why we do cotton
In the past, people here grew their own cotton, wore cotton clothes, and used cotton fabric in every part of their daily lives. It has always been the heart of our local way of life.
Why we do indigo
In the past, indigo-dyed clothing was a natural part of everyone’s daily life here. Wearing indigo fabric was simply the norm in our community.
Why we use natural colors
Beyond indigo, we use dyes made from the bark, leaves, and fruits of wild trees in the Phu Phan mountain range. We choose these natural colors because they connect us to the forest and reflect the true essence of our environment.
Why Bhukram’s embroideries only feature flowers, trees, homes, and the traditional way of life.
We would like Bhukram people reflecting the beauty of their own way of life and nature in their perception. When we see the beauty of our own home, we will see its important and want to take better care more of it. And we also want people those are interested in Bhukram works to see how we see.
The artisans would be an observer, perceive and observe nature, then gradually embroider onto the fabric.
“We want to share what our ecosystem consists of, how its value is, and how we take care of it.”
