Katherine Olston, Estelle Cohenny and Chakkrit Chimnok 

BeautyForm Unisuit was one of the components of  Navin Ravanchaikul’s project  Fly With Me to Another World, 2004.

Uniforms are very present in Thai society. The project BeautyForm Unisuit set out to find out why.

The artists first interviewed uniforms wearers of all ages and walks of life, in the city of Chiang Mai and asked “How do you feel wearing your uniform? is your uniform comfortable? How would you improve it?”. Many people spoke of elements that made them feel uncomfortable. When asked how they would improve their uniforms however, a few made suggestions and many others replied that the uniform was fine the way it was.

The artists designed and created uniforms mostly out of fabric advertising banners, inner tires and recycled materials. Silk screen printing was used on many models. The uniforms beautified were that of a policeman, a teacher, a university student, a mechanics, a trishaw driver, an air hostess, a soldier, a municipal cleaner, a monk, a scout, a business man, a nurse… and a “Status Quo” uniform.

A  workshop was organised with middle school students in Lamphum, a town near Chiang Mai. Students created their own outfits in recycled materials which they modeled, together with the BeautyForm Unisuits at a fashion show organised on an ancient covered bridge in Lamphun.

@ BeautyForm UniSuit was  exhibited at the Japan Foundation Art Space, Bangkok, with the Fly With Me Project.

Following the Lamphun show, the Jim Thompson Foundation commissioned a second exhibition of the Fly With Me Project (in transit)  and Beauty Suit for a new show at Jim Thompson House in Bangkok.

For this show, the artists created a total of 18 BeautyForm Unisuits and a video of new interviews. A fashion show opened the exhibition.