Bangkok, Thailand, August 8, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / Jim Thompson is pleased to announce a new artistic collaboration with Juli Baker and Summer as part of his renowned Artists-in-Residence campaign. The collection comprises three unique silk scarves that explore the themes of femininity, motherhood, and family memories. The limited-edition collection is available now for Mother's Day.

Launched in early 2023, the artist residency campaign has infused the Thai fashion industry with new energy and creativity through a series of artistic collaborations. “Juli Baker and Summer” is the first collaboration within the Jim Thompson Artists-in-Residence 2025: Scarf Edition. Three emerging Thai artists will be invited to design prints exclusively for the brand’s iconic collection.

Chanaradee “Phaan” Chatrakul Na Ayudhya, also known as Juli Baker and Summer, is a writer, artist, and avid traveler. Her paintings are characterized by vibrant, semi-abstract forms and color palettes that evoke the warmth of summer. Her compositions, which explore multifaceted themes of womanhood, often depict young women—sometimes relaxed, sometimes emotionally overwhelmed—with stylized brushstrokes and fragments of her handwriting conveying the range of her models' emotions. Both Jim Thompson and Juli Baker and Summer believe that design is more than aesthetics—it is a powerful medium for storytelling.

Jim Thompson X Juli Baker and the Summer Collection

The collection comprises three silk scarves with floral patterns: "Alisa," "Plath's Fig Tree," and "Mama's Sunflower." Each scarf is a declaration of love for mothers, daughters, and the many roles women play. The dreamy colors unite memories, femininity, and floral motifs into something joyful and contemplative at the same time. Each piece bears witness to the expressive power of the original hand-painted artwork by Juli Baker and Summer.

  • Alisa is a tribute to the artist's grandmother. When she could no longer go into the garden, the family brought her flowers from the surrounding area, including bougainvillea, hibiscus and yellow elderberry, which are also found in the design.
  • Plath's Fig Tree is a tribute to the late American writer Sylvia Plath. The artwork was inspired by a passage in her first novel, "The Bell Jar," which prompted the artist to reflect on the lives of her mother and grandmother and how their dreams were shaped or sacrificed under the pressure of gender roles and societal expectations.
  • “Mama’s Sunflower” represented the artist’s memory of a letter her mother had written to her after a trip they had taken together to Japan. The letter ended with the loving words: “Thank you, my little sunflower. May you bloom wherever you go.”

    • “I admire Jim Thompson not only as a brand, but also for how they support local craftsmanship and have incorporated designs from independent Thai artists over the years,” added Juli Baker and Summer. “This collection is particularly close to my heart, as it deeply resonated with me as an artist and as a daughter. With these pieces, I wanted to explore motherhood in all its facets—its beauty, complexity, and quiet strength—using flowers as symbols of the stories, sacrifices, and tenderness that often go unspoken. I hope it resonates with others, especially those who see parts of their own story reflected in it.”

    The scarf collection, meticulously crafted from printed 100% silk twill in a square format of 84 x 84 cm, showcases the expressiveness of the original, hand-painted artworks, transferred to a lightweight fabric with Jim Thompson's renowned precision. Every shade, every brushstroke comes alive, preserving the texture and expressiveness of the original paintings. Each scarf is both a striking statement piece and a versatile garment – ​​a heartfelt and loving gift for mothers and other loved ones this Mother's Day.

    Nunnapat Verojanavat, Marketing Director of Jim Thompson, said: “Juli Baker and Summer represents a fresh, innovative approach that deeply aligns with our ethos and our respect for artistic design and textile tradition. Our collaboration unites a passion for creating pieces that are not just products, but true works of art. This unique collection reinterprets traditional craftsmanship in a modern way.”