University of the Arts London and Mentor International invited you to join Press Conference 2010 titled “Designing Your Future”

On behalf of University of the Arts London and Mentor International, we would like to invite you to join Mentor Scholarships – Press Conference 2010. The event will be hosted at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, Bangkok.

With this press conference, Mentor International is offering two special scholarships for the most creative and original Thai students in Art & Design, under the title: “Designing Your Future”. The 2 Mentor scholarships are worth 50,000 Baht each. This scholarship campaign continues for the third consecutive year.

Applicants must apply and be accepted for either a Diploma, Foundation or BA programme at the University of the Arts London. The University brings together six of Europe's most prominent Colleges (Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Chelsea College of Art and Design, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Art) for the study of art, design, fashion, communications and the performing arts.

All potential applicants are requested to submit their application forms and with the purpose of pursuing their studies for the 2010 September intake. All applicants will be interviewed on 9 - 10 February 2010 by a selection panel including an International Coordinator of University of the Arts London, and Ms Kamolpan Patarusuwankul, Mentor UAL Senior Counsellor at Mentor office.

DEP eyes BIFF & BIL 2010 as springboard for Thai fashion industry to be more competitive and visible in global marketplace

The effectiveness of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) is believed to help drive the overall trade volume between the ASEAN countries and their partners.


The Bangkok International Fashion Fair & Bangkok International Leather Fair 2010 (BIFF & BIL 2010) organized by the Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand during 1 - 4 April is expected to encourage the rise of Thai and ASEAN fashion products in the global marketplace, especially in one of the world’s most vibrant fashion markets like Japan.

Riding on the theme, Look East, the BIFF & BIL 2010 will be a vivid showcase of great potential of the ASEAN fashion industry, from upstream to downstream. The mega event will bring together the best fashions and accessories of the ASEAN region, capitalizing on hot new trends, signature styles, textiles and leather products supported by the synergy of local expertise and regional cooperation.

By highlighting the fashions of all 10 ASEAN member countries, BIFF & BIL continues its campaign to bring ASEAN Fashion to, and stay more competitive in the global stage.

“With the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) become effective from January this year, the overall trade volume between the ASEAN countries and their partners is growing at rapid pace,” said Srirat Rastapana, Director General, the Department of Export Promotion (DEP). “The BIFF & BIL 2010 therefore will provide the region’s exhibitors and buyers from Japan, India, China, Korea and Taiwan with a promising platform for trade and cooperation. It is the only fair that offers a complete range of products and services related to the fashion industry supply chain, with greater trade negotiation and sourcing opportunities ever for everyone involved.”

More than 1,000 selected domestic and overseas exhibitors in diverse fields from clothing, textile, leather and fashion accessories to textile equipment & machinery, software & services related to the fashion industry will participate. Potential visitors include importers, manufacturers, traders, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, boutiques, department stores, buying agents, designers, international press and related others.

“The extensive profile of visitors will make the Thai fashion industry more visible, and get broadened access to international fashion markets,” commented Mrs. Srirat.

Speaking at a recent press conference during the BIFF & BIL road show in Tokyo, the DEP Director General also invited manufacturers, buyers and relevant institutes and organizations in the Japanese fashion industry to join BIFF & BIL 2010. The road show was organized in conjunction with JFW International Fashion Fair 2010 (JFW-IFF) in Tokyo, in which 12 Thai textile, apparel and leather products manufacturers, exporters and brand owners participated,

With exports to Japan continuing to increase, Thailand’s textile and apparel industry is expected to see steady growth and development. Relevant organisations led by the Association of Thai Textile Bleaching Dyeing Printing and Finishing Industries (ATDP) has recently cooperated with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to develop and manufacture fabrics that meet Japanese standards and market requirements. These textile innovations will be presented to Japanese importers at this year’s BIF & BIL in Thailand.

“The textiles, apparel, and leather exports to Japan are now worth nearly 500 Million US Dollars. Within this, textiles and apparel exports account for more than 420 Million US Dollars and leather goods account for 50 Million US Dollars. Thanks to the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) and the expanding opportunity for Thai exporters in the Japanese medium market as local Japanese manufacturers focus on high-end segment,” said Mrs Srirat.

She added, “Our success at JFW-IFF reflects the high interest of Japanese importers and buyers in Thai fashion products. Japan has expressed its support for Thailand to become ASEAN’s textile and apparel manufacturing base due to its unmatched capacity for integrated production. We are looking forward to see more an increase in number of Japanese visitors to the upcoming event.”

Among highlights at BIFF & BIL 2010 include seminars and conferences, 48 fashion shows, ASEAN Design Congress, Thailand Designer Contest as well as ASEAN Pavilion and Japan Pavilion.

Nautica Signs Apparel Sponsorship

According to the sponsorship agreement, Nautica will outfit all Thai and international sailors, race officers and attending media with their great quality sportswear.

In support of this apparel sponsorship, Khun Chantra Sangsrirattanakul, Division Manager, Bara, Windsor & Co., Ltd — Nautica’s brand representative in Thailand —

said "The Nautica brand and its design was originally inspired by the sea and sailing. We are proud to support the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, which is the largest race of its kind in Asia. This sponsorship is also in line with Nautica’s global policy of supporting the sport of sailing, a sport that relies on teamwork, athleticism — and a sport which is environmentally friendly.”

"Nautica's brand and reputation for quality are known worldwide. We are very happy to have such a strong clothing brand involved with our great week of races. We’re sure their contribution will be appreciated by all,” said Santi Kanchanabandhu, President of the 21st Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organizing Committee.

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta this year will be held to celebrate His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 80th Birthday from December 1 to 8. Another exciting year of races is expected after a record turnout of over 100 boats last year. This year is expected to see another large turnout of sailors from Thailand and around the world.

A textile manufacturer puts up VOQUE, a brand-new condominium project on Sukhumvit 16.

Apollo Asset, a textile manufacturer, partners with Vertex Millennium to put up VOQUE Residential Condominium, a low-rise residential condominium on Sukhumvit 16. The project, which will include two 8-story buildings in Bangkok’s central business district, will have a starting price of 69,000 Baht per SQ.M. or 2.9 M.B. for a one-bedroom suite and a combined project value of 620 million Baht. With Century 21 as Marketing and Sales Management Advisor, it is scheduled to be up for a presale in an open house party to be held on this coming November 21, 2009.


Mr. Kittisak Jumpathippong, CEO of Century 21 Realty Affiliates (Thailand) Co., Ltd., discloses today that Century 21 has just been entrusted as Project Investment Advisor for VOQUE Residential Condominium, a brand-new residential condominium project on Sukhumvit 16. The project, which will include two 8-story buildings for a combined project value of 620 million Baht, is a joint venture between Apollo Asset,a textile manufacturer , and Vertex Millennium. At a starting price of 69,000 Baht per SQ.M. or 2.9 M.B. for a one-bedroom suite, Century 21 has scheduled a presale in an open house party to be held on this coming November 21. With special promotion to be offered on-site, there have been an overwhelming number of responses from its target, which enquired and registered to the event.

“The project is invested by a leading manufacturer group, who is interested in developing a residential condominium when the time is right, while we help take part in conducting the feasibility study and well craft out the marketing plan. The project is most outstanding in its location and has been conceptualized to be a condominium with high level of privacy and total relaxation. Designed to go and flow with its environment, it is a low-rise condominium in Bangkok’s central business district with an open view to the lake of Benjakitti Park. For Residential who stay from the third floor onward without the high-rise building blocking the eye good view. The VOQUE is the low rise project in the downtown. It is easily commuted by BTS Asok and MRT Sukhumvit as well as well connected to various main roads, i.e. Sukhumvit 22, 24 and 26, Rama 4, Ratchadapisek, and New Petchburi. Given its superb location and future potentials, the project is expected to be well received by its target, i.e. the working generation, which prompts us to put our presale target at 60% within this year.” Mr. Kittisak said.

Managed by Mr. Vorathep Srikuruwal, Managing Director of Apollo Asset, and Miss Premika Srichawla, Managing Director of Vertex Millennium (Miss Premika Srichawla comes from a real-estate development family,which has been in business for more than 30 years.) VOQUE Residential is a residential condominium project. It includes two 8-story buildings with basement located on approximately 563-Square-Wah plot of land on Sukhumvit 16, Klongtoey, Bangkok. Financial supported Ocean Life Insurance Co.,Ltd for this project. With Boonvess & Associates as Project Architect, Gooseberry Co.,Ltd as Designer& Interior. it is designed into two room types, i.e. one-bedroom suite with sellable area of 41.50 – 54.50 SQ.M. and two-bedroom suite with sellable area of 74.50 – 81 SQ.M. totaling 140 units. All units are equipped with DAIKIN air conditioner (or equivalent), built-in kitchen from RCD Thonglor, touch-ceramic electric stove , hood and sink from swiss brand ‘Franke’, American Standard sanitary ware (or equivalent), and tempered glass shower.

The project facilities include swimming pool, Jacuzzi, fitness center, parking lots, 2 sets of elevators in each building, built-in phone line socket, satellite television system and is fully secured with key card system, CCTV and 24-hour security guards. The project construction is expect to commence in early 2010 and complete by at the end of 2011.

CRISIS FORCES ADAPTATION

       Hoping to turn a crisis into an opportunity and take advantage of the nascent economic recovery, Thai businesses are adjusting the way they do business in a variety of ways.
       Teeradej Snongtaweeporn, deputy administrative director of Big Star, the maker of Gambol footwear, said the company had revised its strategy to focus more on own-brand products and reduce the amount of original-equipment manufacturing (OEM) of footwear for client brands.
       "We want to export more footwear under our Gambol brand, and to move away from the OEM business," Teeradej said, adding that the company currently exports Gambol footwear to 10 markets in Southeast Asia, in addition to the Middle East and Eastern European countries including Ukraine and Russia.
       "We want to reduce OEM from 40 per cent to about 20 per cent of our export business by the second quarter of next year," Teeradej said. Exports currently account for about 40 per cent of Big Star's total sales.
       "Relying too much on OEM leaves you vulnerable to clients who shift orders to lower-cost manufacturers. So we want to focus on our own brand, which is quite strong," Teeradej said.
       The company saw OEM orders from Europe plunge during the recent global economic turmoil, but was able to offset this by exporting more footwear under the Gambol brand.
       "The Thai economy is expected to recover in the second half of next year, driven by higher purchasing power among consumers, aided in part by the [government's] Thai Khemkhaeng economic stimulus scheme. We plan to increase our production capacity by 10 per cent next year. The company currently produces about 10 million pairs of footwear per annum," Teeradej said.
       The economic crisis has also brought about some changes at ICC International, according to director Somphol Chaisiriroj, who oversees the Arrow apparel brand. He said the company expected to achieve close to Bt2 billion in sales of Arrow products this year, up nearly 10 per cent over last year - but lower than the 15 per cent targeted at the beginning of the year.
       "Rather than worry about the economic crisis, I'd rather learn from it and use those lessons to formulate a new business plan," said Somphol.
       The downturn should encourage business operators to think about society in all its dimensions, he said, and not just their bottom lines.
       "It should be a mission of all businesspeople today to try and do something to help other people," he said.
       Consumers want to buy brands that make a contribution to society, Somphol said.
       In 2007, Arrow launched a corporate social responsibility campaign, "Send Me Home", with the goal of releasing eight captive elephants back into the wild. The last two elephants are due to be released next month.
       Sales of Arrow apparel were stagnant for the first six months, but grew a strong 15 per cent in the third quarter, which he attributes largely to the exposure achieved via the campaign.
       Singer Thailand, meanwhile, has revamped its instalment payment plan for electrical appliances.
       "We have increased the payment-period options from 12 and 18 months to 24 and 38 months, and reduced the monthly payments from between Bt700 and Bt1,000 to just Bt500 for refrigerators, and from between Bt1,500 and Bt2,000 to Bt900 for air-conditioners. This will make it easier for consumers to access our installment plan amid the current economic difficulties," Boonyong said.

Mittal trust to acquire Germany's Escada brand

       Megha Mittal will buy the insolvent German luxury fashion house Escada for an undisclosed price,the company said on Thursday.
       "Today the insolvency administrator of Escada AG signed a sale and transfer agreement with one of the Mittal family trusts," the company said in a statement late on Thursday after the preliminary creditors' committee approved the deal."The board of management and the new investor have agreed to cooperate on the basis of the business strategy launched in mid-2008 securing continuity of the operative business."
       All key assets of Escada's operating business as well as shares in its subsidiaries will be transferred to Mittal's trust,excluding those that serve as guarantor for the Escada bond.
       Escada, once one of the world's top fashion labels, filed for insolvency in August after years of diminishing sales took their toll and a broad restructuring plan failed to win approval from bondholders.
       Mittal won the bidding war for Escada against Sven Ley, son of Escada founder Wolfgang Ley. He said on Tuesday he had teamed up with the former head of Gucci, Giacomo Santucci, and Italian investment group Borletti to mount a rescue bid.
       Megha Mittal, the 33-year old daughter-in-law of ArcelorMittal chief executive Lakshmi Mittal, had also expressed an interest in Escada.
       German newspapers reported on Thursday that Lebanon's influential Mi-kati family was also among the frontrunners.
       The family runs M1 Group, a multibillion dollar conglomerate invested in real estate, Geneva airline Fly Baboo and fashion line Facconable, as well as oil and gas.
       The crux of the bidding war revolved around who will manage Escada in future.
       The consortium around Ley had said it would replace the current CEO, Bruno Saelzer, with Santucci.
       Mittal, on the other hand, supports Saelzer's approach of turning Escada into an affordable luxury fashion brand,offering more day-wear rather than the glamorous evening gowns Escada was once known for, the Mittal family source said.
       Mittal would take a supervisory board seat, the source said.
       Mittal has been looking for an investment in the fashion industry for about a year and has also expressed interest in Italian fashion brand Gianfranco Ferre.

Man sells T-shirt ad space for $85,000

       A T-shirt a day has kept unemployment at bay for an American man who is making about $85,000 a year by selling advertising space on his torso.
       Jason Sadler,26, a former marketing professional from Florida, founded his own company, www.iwearyourshirt.com,in 2008 with the idea to wear a T-shirt supplied by any company and then use social media tools to promote the firm.
       For his human billboard service, Sadler charges the "face value" of the day so January 1 costs $1, while December 31 costs $365.
       Sadler said this "may not sound like a lot but it adds up to $66,795 a year if he sells out every day, which he did this year." He also sells monthly sponsorships for $1,500, adding another $18,000 to his income.
       "I walk around, take photos, wear the shirt all day.... I blog about those photos, I put 'em up on Twitter, I change my Facebook profile ... and then I do a YouTube video," he told Reuters Television."I made about $83,000 this year."
       The average US wage is about $615 a week or about $32,000 a year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
       Sadler has already begun filling his 2010 calendar so, in true entrepreneurial fashion, he is expanding services by hiring another individual to wear a shirt a day on the west coast of the United States and is doubling his price.