The 'sinh' as a source of national pride

Television presenter Nutha Latsavonglao is among the Lao celebrities who are falling in love anew with the country’s traditional clothing. She wears Lao silk on TV and when attending public events to encourage others, especially the younger generation, to don such attire more often.

Nutha says she regards wearing Lao sinh – as the classical garb is known – and silk clothing as crucial to promoting the country’s culture. The clothes have a beauty and charm of which Lao people should be proud, she says. They set the nation apart in the world’s eyes. The sinh is entirely unique to Laos.

Nutha is grateful that the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has recognised the importance of these costumes and recommended that more people wear them.

Few countries give their citizens enough opportunities to show off the national costume, Nutha notes, whereas in Laos it’s a prerequisite at important events.

She points out that traditional dress has in fact modernised in recent times, so there’s now much more variety available in the design, a fact not lost on many local enthusiasts and even foreign women who elect to wear the sinh. Among the most popular visual motifs are depictions of lifestyles, culture, scenic vista and dok champa (frangipani).

“We have to be proud to have been born in Laos, which has a very specific style,” Nutha says. She’d love to see all women wearing a sinh when visiting temples, official events and weddings. “Not only does it uphold the nation’s traditions, it’s also attractive as well.”

Nutha even wears a sinh at home when hosting relatives and other guests, believing it demonstrates politeness and respect. “I’m always happy when I’m wearing a sinh – it makes me confident and ready to work!”

Nutha currently appears on several shows on the Lao Star channel promoting the country’s entertainment industry, among them “Women Today” and “Lao Like”, and often serves as an emcee at show-business events.

Airing every Sunday, “Women Today” covers beauty and fashion trends and profiles people who’ve done outstanding work in their fields. Its hosts often sing the praises of classical attire, and Nutha points out that the Miss Laos and Lao Super Model pageants and Lao Fashion Week have also done their parts in promoting the sinh.

With the Asean Economic Community being inaugurated at the end of this year, she says, this is a prime time to promote Lao costumes and styles, as well as create new designs with an eye to matching international trends. She cautions, though, that any such “fusion costumes” should not show too much skin, in keeping with traditional Lao modesty.

Men too, are demonstrating their interest in traditional attire, sporting silk suits and locally made neckties.

“We are all Lao,” Nutha said. “We should be conserving our culture, especially the style of dress that’s such a famous symbol of Laos.”