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Published on August 12, 2007

What better venue to launch a book dedicated to Asian textiles than the house of a man who dedicated his life to the promotion of these fabrics around the world?

Publishers, textile scholars, and fabric lovers recently gathered at the bar of Jim Thompson's House for the launch of "The Secrets of Southeast Asian Textiles: Myth, Status and the Supernatural", a title sponsored by the trustees of the James HW Thompson Foundation.

Guests gathered to the sounds of traditional Thai music in the warmly decorated bar, where staff were serving wine, Thai iced tea and coffee.

The gathering itself resembled a gallery display of traditional fabrics, with of the guests attired in exquisite outfits fashioned from quality ethnic or ethnically inspired cloth similar to those found in the book.

Foundation president William Klausner introduced the event, describing it as a small gathering of dedicated people and commenting that he wouldn't have it any other way.

Linda McIntosh, an expert in Laotian fabric and the only contributing scholar at the event, expressed her joy at seeing such "textile enthusiasts, and group of people interested in promoting arts and culture in Southeast Asia".

The 216-page book brings together 15 articles from the second James HW Thompson Foundation Textile Symposium held in August, 2005. They range in topics and nations covered, and include Cambodian textile hangings, women's wear in Laos, and the relationship between Buddhism and textiles in Thailand.

"Textiles are at the heart of traditional Thai culture," says editor, Jane Puranananda, describing the content of the book as "unique and original."

MR Narisa Chakrabongse of Bangkok's River Books, describes fabric as much an indicator of status in society today as it was in the past.

"People are returning to ethnic cloths for fear of loosing ones own identity," she notes.

"You feel that you're not part of commodification."

The gathering exhibited a love for fabric and an enthusiasm that would make even the most uniformed consumer wish to understand more about the art and craft of textile.

The book launch was also what Jane described as the "official soft launch" of the William Warren Library in the adjacent complex.

Gridthiya Gaweewong, currently artistic director of the Jim Thompson House, and now curator at the Library calls it a haven for people "sick of Siam Square and Starbucks".

This library needs no membership, offers free wireless Internet and access to Jim Thompson's private collection of books is available on request. There is even a life size model of Jim Thompson himself sitting calmly by the window and birdsong to keep you company as you read, surf the net, or simply enjoy the tranquil view.

The library will specialise in textile titles like "The Secrets of Southeast Asian Textiles," and their simultaneous launch proved complementary.

The book  is priced at Bt900 and is available at the leading bookstores or from Seasiantextiles.org.

Emily Norris

The Nation