Assoc. Prof. Vassana Saima

FOUNDER, VASSANA

Industry : The Arts

As a lecturer in industrial design and founder of the brand Vassana, Assoc. Prof. Vassana Saima is redefining the image of traditional bamboo weaving. Her designs are far from the basic baskets or fish mobiles we grew up with. Instead, she turns bamboo into modern handbags, hanging garlands, and sculptural lamps shaped like coral or bird nests. What began as a research project became a community-driven brand, supporting over 20 groups of artisans across Northern Thailand.

Vassana’s signature “striped weave” pattern, developed from studying bamboo in Phayao, helps improve both aesthetics and function. Her work creates steady income for locals, from elderly weavers to university students, who earn up to 500 baht a day making parts for Vassana’s designs. Her bamboo pieces have reached global audiences, including a special collaboration with Dior. For the Lady Dior Café, she was commissioned to reinterpret the brand’s iconic Cannage pattern using traditional Thai bamboo weaving techniques, enhanced with floral motifs inspired by local craftsmanship. Dozens of handcrafted bamboo bags adorned with Thai floral motifs, each a unique fusion of heritage and haute couture, now grace the café walls, showcasing the delicate beauty of Thai artisanship through a global lens. By blending old-world craft with contemporary design, Vassana proves that tradition still has a place in the modern world.