For more than 30 years the Mae Fah Luang Foundation (under royal patronage) , helps ethnic minorities in Northern Thailand through different programs of relief, education and development. It aims to preserve the various cultures and natural environments of the Hill-tribes as well as those of the lowlanders.
More specifically,the Doitung Project creates alternatives to opium cropping which destroyed most of the forest through slash and burn agriculture, and its industrial trade and abuse which were most destructive to hilltribe traditions and social balance.
The project is a fully sustainable one, focusing on organic agriculture and quality jobs that allows nature to regenerate and the people to keep and protect their traditional identities and ways of life. Every step, from seeding to retail generates benefits and employment for Northern Thailand people through the Mae Fah Luang foundation.
Kris Yensukchai, head of the fashion department, offers his experience (gathered within top fashion houses such as Prada and Isabel Marant), creates an amazing range of high quality, fully modern and yet 100% natural garments which generate interest worldwide. His creations are like no other in terms of design and even the fabrics produced by the foundation seem to have a life of their own…
Ethical issues addressed:
-Organic agriculture, -Traditional skills and way of living conservation in the Golden Triangle -Providing Hill-tribes with substitution revenues as an alternative to Opium trade and prostitution -Providing sustainable jobs and ways of production..
Certifications/standards:
Doi Tung have the total control of the production from the organic seed untill the finished garment. Its actions to eradicate illegal opium trade is monitored by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime
