A Treasure Unravelled

Exquisite Bhutanese textiles are a symbol of the country's culture, tradition, and skilled craftsmanship.

- RIA SINGH

Think of Bhutan and immediately the towering mountains, pristine landscapes, monasteries, and monks flash in front of you. Bhutanese textiles may not be a top-of-mind recall but they symbolise a rich cultural heritage. ‘kira’—a large, rectangular textile that is wrapped around the body, folded into a wide pleat in front, and fastened at the shoulders with ornate silver and gold brooches—worn by women and ‘gho’—a multi-coloured, striped knee-length cloth, tied at the waist with a cloth belt—traditionally draped by men, reflect the country’s identity, values, and spirituality. While the world is well-acquainted with fashion capitals like Paris, Milan, London, and New York, there are numerous hidden gems waiting to be discovered! And one such well-kept secret is Bhutan, whose fashion industry remains relatively unknown on the global stage.

Despite the country’s rich sartorial culture and an untapped sea of natural resources, Bhutan, unfortunately, does not have a market due to its small domestic population and the lack of structure of its fashion industry. “Fashion in Bhutan might be at its infancy, but we have a lot of promising and talented people in the creative industry, we just don’t have the guidance, investment, and collaborations with the key players. Bhutan could be the world’s answer to sustainable fashion without greenwashing!” says fashion illustrator and designer Karma Tshering Wangchuk, also known as Lhari.

Designers like him are reviving traditional clothing and rebranding it as fashionable by highlighting the importance of passing down traditional fashion and being appreciative of it. “Trends will come and go but I believe that our national dress will stay for a very long time—we have subconsciously realised that this is our armour,” he says.