Saungder Weaving and Vocational Institute in Amarapura Township of Mandalay Region is drafting a work plan to conduct a basic training on Myanmar traditional clothing fashion design course in the 2024–2025 financial year, according to U Kyaw Zin Lat, Deputy Director General of the Small-Scale Industries Department under the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development.
"Weaving schools are developing fresh, intricate designs to produce garments that align with market trends, aiming to capture new markets for locally woven products. Additionally, manual weavers are creating innovative designs. In the current financial year, Saungder Weaving and Vocational Institute will introduce a fashion design course centered on traditional floral patterns," U Kyaw Zin Lat said.
Offering the fashion design course is part of a project aimed at expanding the market for domestically woven products and conducting developmental research. Currently, the institute provides a one-year course of Diploma in Textile Technology, six months of training in weaving Lunyagyaw Acheik, the sacred cloth designs of ancient Myanmar royals, another six months of training in hand-weaving, and finally, a three-month course in gold and silver embroidery. — ASH/TH
