Grand textile academy

The exotic beauty of Bhutanese textiles will make it to international fashion houses when a Nu 540-million project is up and running in Thimphu.

Initiated by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the construction of the Royal Textile Academy (RTA) in Chubachu will take off by mid September this year. The textile academy will comprise a state-of-the-art museum to showcase national, regional and global textiles and artifacts, a weaving school in which students will be trained in the art of weaving, yarn dyeing and contemporary skills related to fashion design and merchandising, and a well-equipped conservation centre.

“In the absence of such an academy, it is not possible to promote the textile industry in a coordinated manner,” said the administrative officer of the RTA, Kuenga Lhendup.

The project is divided into four phases. The first phase will build the museum, entrances to the museum and a courtyard at an estimated cost of Nu 100 million. The first and the third phases of the project are funded by Dr Frederik Paulsen of Ferring Pharmaceuticals in Germany.

The second phase, which is estimated to cost Nu 27.1 million, is funded by the government of India. It will put in place the textile school and a conservation unit. Details on the curriculum and intake of students for the school will be worked out within next two to three years.

The third phase of the project will build the administrative building, which will cost Nu 130 million.

The completion of a banquet hall of an international standard in the fourth phase will give the project its final shape. The banquet hall can accommodate 1000 people.

The first and second phases are targeted to be completed within 18 months starting mid September. The whole project is expected to be completed within five years. The completion will, however, depend on the availability of fund for the most expensive phase, the fourth phase, which currently does not have any fund.

In the long run, RTA will start a fashion design house and begin collaboration with fashion houses outside the country. Her Majesty Queen Mother came up with the initiative after she toured the country and realised how important textile production was for the Bhutanese people.

The tender for the project will be awarded in two weeks’ time. The foundation of the academy was laid on June 5.

Source: Bhutan Observer