Journal · 6 min read
Krama vs Vichy: The Story of Two Checks That Look Alike
By Hélène · June 8, 2026
Put a Cambodian krama next to a piece of French vichy and most people cannot tell them apart. Both are woven checks, usually in two colours, simple and timeless. Yet they grew up on opposite sides of the world, and the resemblance is pure coincidence. That coincidence is exactly what our whole brand is built on.
What is a krama?
The krama is Cambodia's traditional check scarf, woven in cotton and worn across the country for centuries as a scarf, head covering, sarong and more. It is recognised by UNESCO as part of Cambodia's intangible cultural heritage. Its full story is on our krama page.
What is vichy?
Vichy, known in English as gingham, is a French check fabric with its own long history. It became a style icon in the 1960s, famously worn by Brigitte Bardot. We tell that story in more detail on our vichy page.
Krama vs vichy: the key differences
Origin
The krama is Khmer, deeply woven into daily life and identity in Cambodia. Vichy is French, tied to fashion and the seaside rather than tradition. Two cultures, one pattern.
Use
The krama is above all practical, a piece worn and used in a hundred ways. Vichy has lived mostly as a fashion fabric, on dresses, shirts and tablecloths. One is a tool, the other a statement, and both are lovely.
Why we blend the two
The name Krama or Vichy plays on that near-identical look. Our founder grew up between France and Cambodia, and the two checks felt like a natural bridge between the two. You can read how that became a brand in our story.
See how the two checks come together in pieces that are 100% handmade in Cambodia.
Explore the collection →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between krama and vichy?
They look almost identical, but the krama is Cambodia's traditional cotton check scarf, rooted in everyday Khmer life, while vichy (gingham) is a French check fabric known mainly from fashion. The resemblance between the two is a coincidence.
Is vichy the same as gingham?
Yes. Vichy is the French name for the check fabric known in English as gingham. It became a style icon in 1960s France.
Is a krama the same as gingham?
Visually they are very similar, but a krama is a Cambodian handwoven cotton scarf with its own cultural history, whereas gingham (vichy) is a French fashion fabric. Same pattern, different origins and uses.
Why is the brand called Krama or Vichy?
Because the Cambodian krama and the French vichy look almost the same despite coming from opposite sides of the world. The name captures the bridge between France and Cambodia that inspired the brand.
