A family legacy: Myat Thit Khine revives Myanmar's royal dress code
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Hsu/ Saw (NP News) - July 25
"Myat Thit Khine, founder of the Myanmar Royal Heritage and Traditional Costume Preservation Service, says the styles of dress and attire from the Yadanabon period are being rediscovered, preserved, and recreated using the closest modern substitutes available due to the unavailability of original materials.
Researchers have drawn inspiration from photographs, albums, and fabrics of the Yadanabon period to recreate Burmese dress styles from that era.
Drawing on his royal heritage, Myat Thit Khine explains how his family's photographs, albums, and fabrics from his grandmother's era serve as inspiration for recreating traditional styles. "We can see the attire worn in the royal court from these photographs," he says, "and together with the fabrics that have been passed down, they allow us to revive these historical styles for the present day."
However, recreating these ancient styles presents a challenge: the unavailability of certain materials used in the royal court. Some of these materials are no longer produced, making them difficult to source.
"Unfortunately, recreating these styles is complicated by the unavailability of certain Yadanabon period materials, like 'Katha' and 'Padonma' silks. When these originals are gone, we meticulously search for the closest substitutes. This often involves visiting large fabric shops like those in Yuzana Plaza and Thien Gyi Market, comparing them with our historical garments, and selecting the best matches. Similarly, replicating the royal court's use of real gold and silver thread isn't feasible today. Instead, we rely on readily available alternatives like Indian gold-colored thread. The biggest challenge lies in finding materials that match the value and quality of the court's originals. Consequently, we resort to the closest possible substitutes, preserving the essence of the design while adapting to modern limitations."
These revived Yadanabon period dress styles are finding a new life in various applications, including pre-wedding photo shoots, music videos, film sets, and commemorative birthday portraits. The demand even extends to children's photo shoots, with some clients requesting royal prince and princess attire.