Made in Thailand
Koktail Magazine presents "Made in Thailand", a series of explainer videos celebrating the best of Thai craftsmanship through going behind-the-scenes at workshops and factories in Bangkok and beyond.
This ongoing video series chronicles the process of creation behind iconic products — a pair of glasses carved from a slab of buffalo horn, ethical lab-grown diamonds, luxury faux flowers, leather shoes via a three-generations-old family business, and many more — while prompting consumers to consider questions of ethics, sustainability, and environmentalism. Discover the series over on Koktail’s YouTube channel.
Episode 1: Horn-Rimmed Glasses
Throughout the years, different styles have come and gone, but horn-rimmed glasses are a timeless classic. Today, 64% of us use corrective lenses of some kind. While most glasses are produced with metal wire or plastic made to replicate the look of horn or tortoise shell, there are some artisans who are still making frames the more traditional way using real buffalo horn. So, what goes into making a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, and what is it that makes these handmade frames so special?
Episode 2: Leather Shoes
The Bak Seng factory has been a part of Boonyanuch "Kae" Vitayasamrit's family for three generations, producing high-quality leather shoes in the west of Bangkok for the last 70 years. While her father and grandfather focused on expanding the business to keep up with rising consumer demand, Kae's approach has been radically different. Since she and her siblings began taking over in 2013, their vision has revolved around slow fashion, preserving the old ways of making, and shifting the needle on customer values. So, what goes into making a pair of "Youngfolks" leather shoes, and why is this factory still choosing to make them almost entirely by hand?
