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.

Water Lily commemoration

       Central Department Store is celebrating its 62nd anniversary with the presentation of the "Water Lily Commemoration of the 77th Royal Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen".
       All seven floors of Central Chidlom will be decorated with fresh flowers and is open to the public until Friday. A grand sale promotion at every branch, with the exception of Zen department store, begins today until November 15.
       Presided last Thursday by Thanpuying Pharani Mahanonda, Her Majesty's Deputy Private Secretary, the giant lily situated at the Morakot area of Central Chidlom, was the highlight alongside 300 more water lilies as well as 62 award-winning plants including 15 species.
       At the opening ceremony, actress Ann Thongprasom performed the lead dance role in Upsara Thawai Dokbua (Upsara Water Lily Presentation), as an introduction for the new water lily species.
       Chermarn Bunyasakdi and Chris Horwang led the parade of 300 water lily plants and a variety of insects along with Central's top management team as well as distinguished guests into its Chidlom branch. The department store was flooded with flowers and plants, and each floor design was done by the nation's top florists.
       Watercolour specialist Phansak Chakkaphak, food stylist and independent artist ML Jirathorn Jiraprawat, Arianna Caroli from Italy - who is fond of Thailand and its wide variety of flora and fauna - and designer Disaya Sornkraikittikul of the Disaya brand all contributed their personal designs for Central's cotton cloth bags at a price of only 395 baht. Only 8,000 bags will be available from each of the four artists' designs. All proceeds will be donated to the Chai Patana Foundation.
       Call 02-255-6959.

LUXURY-BRAND FIRMS HUNT FOR UNTAPPED MARKETS

       With spending on luxury goods down across the developed world in the economic crisis, luxury brands are increasingly looking far beyond the chic avenues of New York, London or Paris for revenue.
       The new names on the lips of luxury professionals are far less familiar - Almaty, Shenzhen, Ulan Bator, respectively, the commercial capital of Kazakhstan, a major Chinese provincial centre and the capital of Mongolia.
       "The desire for luxury is more and more universal so the luxury sector has to reach its clients around the world," Yves Carcelle, chairman of Louis Vuitton, said at the Paris launch of a new luxury products website for China.
       Louis Vuitton earlier this month opened its first store in Mongolia, an Asian country of 2.7 million people with extensive mineral resources and an average per capital annual income of just $1,800 (Bt60,200).
       "It's a country that is taking off economically," said Carcelle, adding: "In just a few days, we already know the store is doing well and we should make as much in Ulan Bator as in a good-sized provincial town in China."
       Antoione Belge, luxury expert at British bank HSBC, explained the strategy.
       "In Mongolio or in Kazakhstan, the big luxury brands are targeting pockets of wealth. In countries which are making revenues from energy, there are small communities of people that have money," he said.
       "When you open a store in a new city in China, the clientele in that city multiplies by a factor of 10. There's the client who is used to buying the brand abroad and nine others who are new."
       A study out this week by US-based consultancy Bain and Company showed luxury sales this year will drop by 16 per cent in North America, by 10 per cent in Japan and by 8 per cent in Europe compared to last year.
       In Asia, however, sales are set to grow by 10 per cent.
       "First we get local elites familiar with our brand, then we open a place where we offer the same quality of service, the same products and therefore the same prices as in other luxury-brand shops," said LVMH, the world's top luxury firm.
       Out of 300 openings of upmarket stores in 2009, Bain said, 15 per cent will be in China, 25 per cent in other Asian countries, 30 per cent in the Middle East, and 15 per cent in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
       Just 15 per cent would be in Western markets, the study found.
       "Emerging markets with dynamic profiles and appropriate economic potential will offer good growth opportunities," the Gucci luxury group said in a statement.

WHEN WOMEN ARE SINNERS IN THE EYES OF EXTREMISTS

       The Shabaab movement in Somalia controls large parts of the south and centre of the country, and because officials in the movement embrace the Wahabi ideology they have imposed their views on Somalis by force and have issued strict decrees banning films, plays,dancing at weddings, football matches and all forms of music - even the ring tones on mobile phones.
       Some days ago these extremists carried out a strange operation - they arrested a Somali woman and whipped her in public because she was wearing a bra. They announced clearly that wearing bras was un-Islamic because it is a form of fraud and deception.
       We may well ask what wearing bras has to do with religion, why they would consider them to be a form of fraud and deception,and how they managed to arrest the woman wearing the bra when all Somali women go around with their bodies completely covered.Did they appoint a special female officer to inspect the breasts of women passing by in the street? One Somali woman called Halima said:"Al Shabaab forced us to wear their type of veil and now they order us to shake our breasts ... they first banned the former veil and introduced a hard fabric which stands stiffly on women's chests. They are now saying that breasts should be firm naturally, or just flat."
       In fact, this excessive interest in covering up women's bodies is not confined to the extremists in Somalia. In Sudan, the police examine women's clothing with extreme vigilance and arrest any woman who is wearing trousers. They force her to make a public apology for what she has done and then they whip her in public as an example to other women.
       Some weeks ago the Sudanese journalist Lubna al-Husseini insisted on wearing trousers and refused to make the public apology. When she refused to submit to flogging she was referred to a real trial, and the farce reached its climax when the judge summoned three witnesses and asked them if they had been able to detect the shape of the accused's underwear when she was wearing the trousers.When one of the witnesses hesitated in answering, the judge asked him directly:"Did you see Lubna's stomach when she was wearing the trousers?" The witness gravely replied:"To some extent."
       Ms Lubna said she was wearing a modest pair of trousers and that the scandalous pair she was accused of wearing would not suit her because she is plump and would need to lose 20kg in order to put them on. But the judge convicted her anyway and fined her ฃ500(27,700 baht) or a month in prison.
       In Egypt, too, extremists continue to take an excessive interest in women's bodies and in trying to cover them up entirely. They not only advocate that women wear the niqab,but also that they wear gloves on their hands,which they believe will ensure that no passions are aroused when men and women shake hands. We really do face a phenomenon which deserves consideration - why are extremists so obsessed with women's bodies?Some ideas might help us answer this question:
       Firstly, the extremist view of women is that they are only bodies and instruments for either legitimate pleasure or temptation,as well as factories for producing children.This view strips women of their human nature.Accusing the Somali woman of fraud and deception because she was wearing a bra is the same charge of commercial fraud which the law holds against a merchant who conceals the defects of his goods and makes false claims about their qualities in order to sell them at a higher price. The idea here is that a woman who accentuates her breasts by using a bra gives a false impression of the goods (her body), which is seen as fraud and deception of the buyer (the man) who might buy (marry) her for her ample breasts and later discover that they were ample because of the bra and not by nature.
       It would be fair to remember that treating women's bodies as commodities is not something found only in extremist ideologies, but often happens in Western societies too.
       The use of women's naked bodies to market commercial products in the West is merely another application of the idea that women are commodities. Anyone who visits the redlight district in Amsterdam can see for himself how wretched prostitutes, completely naked,are lined up behind glass windows so that passers-by can inspect their charms before agreeing on the price. Isn't that a modernday slave market, where women's bodies are on sale to anyone willing to pay?
       Secondly, the extremists believe women to be the source of temptation and the prime cause of sin. This view, which is prevalent in all primitive societies, is unfair and inhuman,because men and women commit sin together and the responsibility is shared and equal. If a beautiful woman arouses and tempts men,then a handsome man also arouses and tempts women. But the extremist ideology is naturally biased in favour of the man and hostile to the woman, and considers that she alone is primarily responsible for all sins.
       Thirdly, being strict about covering up women's bodies is an easy and effortless form of religious struggle. In Egypt we see dozens of Wahabi sheikhs who enthusiastically advocate covering up women's bodies, but do not utter a single word against despotism,corruption, fraudulence or torture because they know very well that serious opposition to the despotic regime (which should really be their first duty) would inevitably lead to their arrest, torture and the destruction of their lives. Their strictness on things related to women's bodies enables them to operate as evangelists without any real costs.
       Throughout human history, strictness toward women has usually been a way to conceal political abuses and real crimes.Somalia is a wretched country in the grip of famine and chaos, but officials there are distracted from that by inspecting bras. The Sudanese regime is implicated in crimes of murder, torture and raping thousands of innocents in Darfur, but that does not stop the regime from putting on trial a woman who insisted on wearing trousers.
       It is women rather than men who always pay the price for despotism, corruption and religious hypocrisy.
       Fourthly, the extremist ideology assumes that humans are a group of wild beasts that are completely incapable of controlling their instincts, that it is enough for a man to see a bare piece of female flesh for him to pounce on her and have intercourse. This assumption is incorrect, because humans, unlike animals,always have the power to control their instincts by will power and ethics.
       An ordinary man, if he is sane, cannot have his instincts aroused by his mother,sister, daughter or even the wife of a friend,because his sense of honour and morality transcends his desires and neutralises their effect. So virtue will never come about through bans, repression and pursuing women in the street, but rather through giving children a good upbringing, propagating morality and refining character.
       Societies which impose segregation between men and women (as in Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia), according to official statistics, do not have lower rates of sexual crimes than other societies. The rates there may even be higher. We favour and advocate modesty for women, but firstly we advocate a humane view of women, a view that respects their abilities, their wishes and their thinking.
       What is really saddening is that the Wahabi extremism, which is spreading throughout the world with oil money and which gives Muslims a bad image, is as far as can be from the real teachings of Islam. Anyone who reads the history of Islam fairly has to be impressed by the high status it accords to women, because from the time of the Prophet Muhammad until the fall of Andalusia, Muslim women mixed with men, were educated,worked and traded, fought and had financial responsibilities separately from their fathers or husbands. They had the right to choose the husband they loved and the right to divorce if they wanted. Western civilisation gave women these rights many centuries after Islam. Finally, let me say that religious extremism is the other face of political despotism. We cannot get rid of the extremism before we end the despotism.

Morgan eyes China, HK

       Morgan De Toi (Thailand) will export its lingerie to China and Hong Kong next year and import a new French brand to tap the mass market in Thailand.
       The company produces and distributes lingerie and leather bags, and imports women's clothing for sale in Thailand.
       It was set up by Morgan, a French apparel-maker, and Saha Group, Thailand's largest and most diverse textile and garment manufacturer.
       China is expected to become the largest market for lingerie, Morgan director Marin Leelanuwatana said yesterday.
       The domestic market generates 70 per cent of Morgan's lingerie sales and exports 30 per cent, but if the company succeeds in the China market, that ratio will be reversed, she said.
       Lingerie contributes 60 per cent of the company's total sales, follow by women's apparel at 20 per cent and leather bags at 20 per cent.
       Morgan now expects its sales to increase 11 per cent to Bt170 million this year. It had targeted sales growth at 15 per cent but the economic crisis has throttled its exports.
       "Exports witnessed a drop of 20 per cent this year, especially to Taiwan and South Korea, because both countries rely on the US economy. Even if the global economy recovers, the export situation will not improve like the domestic market, which started to pick up in the third quarter. That helps the company to see some sales growth," she said.
       The company forecasts no progress in the export situation next year, so it will have to depend on the domestic market.
       Morgan's projection of sales growth of 15 per cent next year does not include China because the company has to wait and see the results of its attempt at market penetration there.
       The company will also start selling leather bags in the Asian market after achieving its sales goals in Thailand.
       "We have adjusted the price structure for bags to match our competitors. Our price was higher than theirs but when we reduced prices by 10 per cent, sales shot up 54 per cent, from 10-per-cent growth in previous years," she said.
       The company will launch Cache Cache, a French apparel brand from its parent Morgan that is produced in China, for the mass market in Thailand.
       The latest brand is priced lower than local brands, as in the company's experience, consumers are more cautious with their spending and will purchase those products that represent value for their money.
       The company is also considering cutting women's apparel prices by 20 per cent after the Asean Free Trade Agreement (Afta) ends duties on imports and exports among Asean countries. The company now pays 30 per cent on imports of women's clothing.
       However, Afta will also open the market to many Asean lingerie brands. Morgan has to quickly build brand awareness for its products especially lingerie because consumers are less familiar with Morgan's lingerie than its women's apparel.

Still looking great,Elle

       The Thai fashion industry's forced diet has had healthy results judging from the just-completed 11th Elle Fashion Week, during which 13 leading brands and one contender showed terrific autumn-winter collections that looked quite cosy despite the economic chill.
       There were no press conferences, no billowing event tents - and no big-name sponsors. Elle magazine's Thai edition saved up every single baht on its own for this year's Bt10-million catwalk festival, and it was just as world-class as ever.
       "We're suffering", winced Elle ditor Kullawit Laosuksri, who saw several designers drop out at the last minute and had to scramble to replace perennial backers like Nokia and L'Oreal with new investors.
       They did well in the end, with Mercedes-Benz, Samsung, PM Centre and Laurier chipping in.
       The mini-week - October 15 to 18 - brought solid signs of professionalism to the area in front of Central World, even if there were no government funds forthcoming from the "Creative Economy" campaign. Only the "Designers' Room" show for emerging talents had state support, from the Commerce Ministry's Department of Export Promotion.
       Never mind: A lot of the creative clothes-makers were able to spin out fresh notions with a "chic local styles-come-global looks" approach that tapped Thai culture. And classical Thai music resonated on the runway throughout the four days.
       Nothing could beat the extravagant production with which Somechai Kaewtong of Kai celebrated 40 years in the business. His collections sprang from the classic to the avant-garde in a great show produced by Sombat Tirasaroj.
       It opened with bared-shoulder, cream-coloured mini-dresses bearing pop-art portraits of beloved actress Petchara Chaowarat, accompanied by the song "Yard Petch" from her 1965 movie "Ngern Ngern Ngern".
       Showing off his mastery of tailoring, Somchai presented elegant evening dresses draped, twisted, pleated and embroidered, in a remarkable parade of runway stars like Duangta Tungkamanee, Nualprang Treechid, ornanpa Krissadee, Rungnapa Kitiwat, Kara Polasit, Jitiima Wattanasen, Yellie Macintosh, Sinjai Plengpanich and Mai Charoenpura.
       And seven-months-pregnant Cindy Bishop was there too for the finale, wearing a loose, knee-length cream wedding gown.
       Chanachai Jareeyathana of 27 Friday shifted the scene to rustic Isaan in setting and music - with a little ska mixed in - for a selection of charming outfits made from checked pa khao ma and kid-pattered fabrics. For the men there were swim trunks and suits with short pants, and for the ladies, minidresses and maxi evening gowns.
       Chanita Prechavitayakul revisited the 1970s for her brand Senada, celebrating "Reality & Dream in My Mind" with her signature feminine appeal and the great old song "Fon San Fah". The waistlines were anything but low - the models could sit on their waists, pulled well up on the tummy.
       Taned Boonprasan of Olanor did some DJ sleight-of-hand too with the music for a collection inspired by flowers and leaves but set against an urban environment. Looking like patterns of garlands, Taned's silk and chiffon outfits utilised crochet, silkscreen and pleating.
       Veteran Pisit Natarvisad returned to the runway with timeless allure and neat cutting, modifying traditional Thai costumes in the draping. He had cocktail dresses and evening gowns made of sil, satin, chiffon, taffeta and lace.
       Nagara Sambandaraksa made great use of shape and all the colours of a peacock in his winged evening dresses, tunics, pants and even swimwear for men. Feathers from a peacock's neck became hooded blouses for women and jackets for men.
       Disaya Sornkraikittikool of Disaya took viewers into space with her "Celestial Warrior" collection of black, aqua and navy-blue costumes trimmed with sequins and glossy buttons. Rather than her usual pastels, she played with shocking pink and mustard yellow and invaded a galaxy in black ankle-length gladiator boots and leather gloves.
       Pimdao Sukhahut of Sretsis made a triumphant comeback to Elle Fashion Week with the "Metamorphosis" collection already on sale at its boutique and abroad. Think of the modern woman transforming herself from day to night like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.
       With bull's-eye targets set out for the show, doors burst open at the sound of a gunshot and the models marched out in reversible dresses and jackets. Innovative materials and techniques in draping and frills and digital prints were on display.
       For Asava, Polpat Asavaparpha and Maruwut Buranasilpin heralded the "Wall Street Goddess" in a wonderful show about working women who look sleek in neat draping and lush, vivid hues.
       Vatit Itthi was more mature a year after its debut at Elle, Vatit Virashpanth and Ithi Metanee showing elegant costumes bristling with texture and the whole gamut of folding, twisting and hand drawing.
       Adisak Rojsiripan of Zenithorial paid tribute to fashion photographer Amat Nimitpak on his career silver anniversary, displaying the lensman's acclaimed shots of nude men on T-shirt-dresses and men's tees and trunks.
       Elle Fashion Week colsed with Mollika Ruangkritya's Kloset Red Carpet, employing a subway platform as the backdrop. The models held newspapers and cups of coffee, or strolled about clutching shopping bags, and Tangram, the vintage board game, inspired the silhouettes and cutting.

Silk retailer promotes proud tradition

       Chatchai Puliwakin was 27 years old when he first came to Khon Kaen 30 years ago to work as purchasing manager for Thai Silk company, the producer of Jim Thompson silk products.
       From the same shop-house he began work at, the first of 30 Jim Thompson branches to be built over the years, Chatchai recalls how great changes have come to this Northeastern city.
       "Khon Kaen has expanded so much and there are now daily traffic jams, unheared of a few years ago," he says.
       "But for the silk business, we have seen a gradual drop in production. It is worrying that less Northeastern households are cultivating silkworms."
       The trend is alarming as silk cultivation is core to the Northeast culture, he adds.
       "Young people leave the farms to look for jobs in Bangkok and large cities, leaving the elderly to tend the farms," he says.
       "This has led to a shortfall in local silk crops. During the past few years, we have to rely more from producers abroad."
       To check the decline in production, Jim Thompson has embarked on a number of community schemes such as contract farming to promote silk cultivation.
       "These programmes can help farmers obtain additional income from silkworm cultivation," Chatchai says.
       Khon Kaen remains the main market for the silk trade.
       "Weavers from all over the Kingdom come here to obtain supplies. They come from as far as Surin, considered by many as the top weaving centre for Thai silk."
       In the modest shop-house, Chatchai tends to several merchants who have brought bales of silk to sell.
       Chatchai inspects the goods to verify their grade and makes payment accordingly.
       "What you see today with half a dozen sellers, is a sharp contrast to the long queues we attended to 30 years ago," he recalls.
       The shop was chosen for its location near the main bus terminal, just a few steps away.
       "It was chosen because it was a convenient spot for the traders when they hop off the bus. They can come straight to us without commuting any further, thus saving them time and money," he says.
       The silk company was founded by the legendary Jim Thompson, an OSS agent during World War II. He rose to fame when he disappeared in Malaysia's Cameron Highlands in 1967. His body was never found.
       "I never met Thompson. I joined the company 10 years after he vanished," says Chatchai.
       "But he deeply impressed me with his decisions such as coming to the Northeast."
       Jim Thompson was also one of the first entrepreneurs in Thailand to offer company shares to workers to induce better output and loyalty.
       To this day, many of his original weavers at Ban Krua hold the shares they were given in 1948.
       Chatchai says he also intends to hold on to his shares in the company even after he retires.
       Originally from Bangkok, Chatchai says he now prefers living in the Northeast where people are friendly and the place is still unpolluted.
       "I was born in Thon Buri and I still have a house in Klong Tan," he says. "But I find Bangkok crowded, dirty and noisy."
       "After staying here the past 30 years, it is hard to leave."

ELLE FASHION WEEK 2009 AUTUMN/WINTER AT CENTRAL WORLD

       ELLE Fashion Week's final day will be remembered for the variety of designs and styles that define fashion's favourite season.
       RUNWAT TO REALWAY BY CENTRALWORLD AT ELLE FASHION HALL
       The final at ELLE Fashion Week 2009 opens with one of the favourite Br4itish high street chains whose opening in Thailand last year was considered fashion talk of the town, Topshop. The show is a runway version of the Fall/Winter 2009-2010 look book featuring the brand's characteristically 1980s collection of Balmain-marrying-glam rock. Key pieces are biker jacket, tunic jumper worn with leggings, fitted sequined cotton T-shirt, embellished cape, fold-up baggy jeans with strappy top and oversized cardigan-all in the season's dominate palette of black, white, grey, cobalt blue,neon yellow and fuschia.
       DESIGNERS' ROOM: NOW BY DEP
       The absence of Young Designers show this year fortunately does not mean the lack of young blood design aspirants. Thanks to the Department of Export Promotion's Designer's Room project, the government unit sponsors 6 brands in their Now category to stage a show at ELLE Fashion Week. The slot features Wonder Anatomie, Under Dog Fights Back, Innocence, Paul B. Painkiller and Ziff. The overall picutre is that these young rookies are on the process of crafting their own identity, perhaps with an exception of Painkiller who offered a series of menswear outfits with subtle and well-calculated palette while mixing the brand's unique, laid-back chic character with the global fashion trend in moderate proportion. Wonder Anatomie attempts to achieve a luxurious and individual collection with chiffon dresses, patchwork, chains and zipper. Under Dog Fights Back's Siam Square indie kids look would need a but more work to ensure the brand can differentiate itself from the myriad of others with similar style. Innocence serves up collection of excessive drapes in every single piece while Paul B's focus is the ankle-length a la Michael Jackson trousers with stripes and checks. Ziff comes up with a collection fo ruffled peplum skirt suits in dominant beige.
       ZENIHORIAL
       There're times when designer plays homage to a fashion personality in a show directly or indirectly. Alexander McQueen once played tribute to his supermodel friend Kate Moss by projecting her image as the background of a show after the model's cocaine scandal. Now, Zenithorial puts on a show that celebrates top fashion snapper Amat Nimitrpak's 25 years in fashion and you have prints of the photographer's works as the recurrent motifs on several items from tunic, tank to the brand's signature shirt dresses. And talking of shirt dresses, Zenithorial is never Zenithorial without those shirt dress and this time, this signature piece comes in favourite checks and stripes. Interestingly, the brand which hardly plays heed to international fashion's revolving trends happens to embrace a lot of dominant seasonal motifs from padded, pointy shoulders, cowl neck, asymmetrical neckline and skirt length to ruffles and bows.
       ASAVA
       Inspired by the fall of stock markets all over the world, Asava's Wallstreet Goddess collection pays respect to all working women and offers a series of outfits that reflect their change of lifestyle and flexibility. Pencil skirts and dresses continue to be the brand's main staples while the enhanced hip-which comes in draped, tulip-shaped numbers, reflects a more youthful direction. Trousers are mostly in jodhpur style while the tops are a nod to the global fascination with 1980s trend with padded, pointy shoulders and batwings dominating the runway, all in a subdued, wintry palette of black, grey,midnight blue, with an introduction of peach, pale lavender, emerald green and peach to brighten up the collection. Whether or not it's for the fall of the stock markets, Asava girls get a bit raw and edgy with strikingly glam rock details from cut-out and bangdage style and thigh-high boots. Luxurious materials like satin, silk and brocade are key materials while, like Asava's first ELLE Fashion Week collection, leather appears in a few numbers.
       KLOSET RED CARPET
       It's the case of vintage revisited for Kloset Red Carpet's finale show at ELLE Fashion Week. The runway was fashioned with a Metropolitan arch door and models strutted the catwalk in a collection inspired by vintage board game Tangram Puzzles. Strikingly Kloset in terms of form, with vintage dresses in capsuleshaped and A-line skirt as collection staples in a palette of midnight blue, navy, peach and salmon pink. Titled Reminiscence, this colllection turns its back on world trend and is buried in a world of Kloset's own. It's quite refreshing in a way to see a collection without leg-of-mutton sleeves or shoulder pads. Tiered batwing blouses with binding and cape blouses appear in various looks while decorative techniques such as cut-out, embroidery and draping makes the outfits both girlish and sophisticated.
       Geometric prints tone down the feminine feel that has dominated all Kloset collections and we have here some items created from different geometric fabrics sewn together. Acrylic and crystal plates adorn a number of items as well as forming the collection's key accessories, the tiara. The show, as well as, ELLE Fashion Week, was closed with a flapper numger that embraced in one all Klolet's Fall/Winter 2009-10 motifs-the sequined hemline, the tiered sleeves and patchwork of different fabrics. Surely this collection vows to be a hit amongst fans.

Adventurous biker outfits

       The current golden boy of Thai cinema, Ananda Everingham, recently co-designed and modelled for the latest collection of CPS Chaps entitled "My Signature Outfit".
       The star revealed that the collection is an outcome of his creativity and that it mostly relates to his personal style, especially its tone of rock 'n' roll.
       "His passion for motorcycles plays an important role as the inspiration of his designs. So, the concept is based on 'Dirt Biker', which reflects men who are adventurous and often have highly itchy feet to take a journey on a motorbike. The style is quite casual, comfortable and also unintentionally charismatic rather than luxurious," added Chanchira Hongladarom, CPS Chaps's sales and marketing manager.
       For true fans of Ananda, or those who are simply looking for rough and rugged fashion items for their closets,"My Signature Outfit" is now available at CPS Chaps shops nationwide.

Garment-makers seek funding to turn focus on creative economy

       The Thai Garment Manufacturers Association will ask the government for Bt300 million to support its three-year plan with eight activities, to ensure the industry is fully engaged in the creative economy.
       "The association wants to see garment-making breakthroughs from the supply chain through manufacturing," Yotsaton Kujkusol, vice president of the asso iation, told The Nation yesterday.
       "In particular, the creative garment business must cover original equipment manufacturing (OEM), original-bran manufacturing (OBM) and original-design manufacturing (ODM)," he said.
       The objective of the plan is for garment manufacturing to have sufficien creative manpower and be able develop value-added products in cooperation with related industries.
       The plan is also designed to position Thailand as an Asian texile and garment hub, given that the world community presicts that Asia will become the biggest manufacturing region.
       Garment-marking is one of the 15 targeted pilot industries under the government's Creative Economy scheme. Those industries are hoped to become the Kingdom's engine for sustainable economic growth.
       The garment industry has great potential to achieve creativ emanufacturing as it can respond immediately to the plan in terms of recruitment and income generation, he said.
       The plan puts a priority on encouraging people to hae creativity.
       Thailand should initially host an "international creative award" at the regional level,focusing on Asean and Asia.
       Second, a "creative tour" programme should be arranged to support human resources in the private and publice sectors for both creative and related personnel such as those in accounting. The plan will finetune those groups to have the same idea on creation.
       "We should allow them(both creative and related officers) to go on a trip to visit exhibitions and museums abroad to let them exchange ideas on what they see and think of,"Yotsaton said.
       A World Creative Conferendce should be arranged not only to provide more inspiration but also brainstorm ideas and transfer knowledge.
       Thailand should focus on research and development both in raw materials and localwisdom. For instance, natural fibres from plants such as bamboo and bananas should be developed further to differentiate Thai goods.
       The establishment of a creative centre in plants is a must practice to ensure OEM,OBM and ODM development. Experts should be hired to transfer both techniques and knowledge.
       The marketing channel should be directed at creating the right marketplace for the right products.
       New brand creation should be encouraged to gain market access. The association will emphasise a single brand and umbrella brand strategy. The umbrella brand calls for a concept store to foster collaboration with many related products.
       "The concept store will encourage entrepreneurs to export as a group of companies instead of a company,Yotsaton said.
       Thailand should organise activities that boost its image as a creative manufacturer and exporter. All manufacturers should cooperate closely to put together the plan.
       All of those projects should be continuously worked on, while the creative economy should be expanded into educational institutions to encourage people to use more imagination.

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER IRVING PENN DIES AT 92

       Influential fashion photographer Irving Penn, known for his elegant, minimalist portraits, died Wednesday. He was 92.
       Penn was long associated with Vogue magazine, where he first began working in the 1940s and won renown for his calm, classical compositions.
       He died at home in New York, said a representative for Pace/MacGill Gallery, which represents Penn's work.
       Although he was most famous for photographs of glamorous models - including a black-and-white, nude Gisele Bundchen - he brought the same graceful simplicity and accuracy to pictures of Peruvian peasants or New Guinea tribesmen.
       "Instead of spontaneity, Mr Penn Provided the illusion of a seance, his gaze precisely describing the profile of a Balenciaga coat or of a Moroccan djellaba in a way that could almost mesmerize the viewer," The New York Times said in an obituary.
       "Nothing escaped the edges of his photographs unless he commanded it."
       His photographs regularly fetch tens of thousands of dollars under the hammer. An auction scheduled at Christie's in New York on Thursday was to feature some 15 prints by Penn.

HERMES ASKS "ANYONE FOR TENNIS?" WHILE KENZO HEADS FOR THE DESERT

       Jean-Paul Gaultier turned the runway into a tennis court on Wednesday for his spring-summer 2010 collection for the luxury brand Hermes as the Paris ready-to-wear week drew to an end.
       Despite their sweatbands, his languid girls did not look as if they intended to even perspire in their elegant cream knife-pleated skirts, which came in all lengths, from short and flippy from a dropped waistline to ankle-brushing maxis fastened like kilts.
       Think Suzanne Lenglen, the graceful French tennis superstar of the 1920s, rather than today's muscular, grunting athletes. Models wore long-line jeackets, with sleeves dangling free, or had stripy cardigans knotted at their waists, and toted streamlined sports bags with racquets poking out.
       Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton also gave a sporty twist to his luxury-ed streetwear with cyclists' shorts in silver lame, micro-mini dresses over leggings cropped at the knee and fringed denim jackets in shades of orange. Tweedy suit jackets with big pockets and others with elasticated waists were paired with military-styled pants.
       His favourite accessory was the backpack, which came adorned with furry animal tails, or was even incorporated into a denim jacket.
       "We decided to do something real and look at the clothes people wear in the street and in urban landscapes, things like army clothes, utilitarian clothes, jeans, parkas and wind breakers," Jacobs says. "And then, of course, we heightened it to a place where it became entertaining for all, which is what fashion is all about."
       For his spring-summer collection, Kenzo's Antonio Marras imagined a trip to the Sahara. Models wafted around airy sarouels, mixing stripes and squares, or in a delicate mosaic print, in browns and blues on brilliant white, all fluttering ties and obi sashes. Military-styled khaki jackets with epaulettes and drawstring hems and trenchcoats with rough rope belts, looked practical for a sandstorm.
       His finale of sarouels and turbans in vibrant shades of turquoise, purple and magenta evoked the traditional costumes of nomadic tribes like the Touaregs.
       At Chloe, British designer Hannah McGibbon imagined today's nomadic woman roaming the world in comfortable trousers, shirt and rustic sandals, keeping out the wind with a cape or poncho.
       Jumpsuits and shorts with big pockets, coats with leather detailing, were staples in her relaxed wardrobe in shades of white, earth and khaki.

Designer Yamamoto goes bankrupt

       Yohji Yamamoto Inc, a fashion house famous for its austere black designer clothes, filed for bankruptcy protection yesterday, a victim of slumping sales as Japanese women turn to cheaper casual outfits during a prolonged economic downturn.
       The company's debts total six billion yen ($67 million), exceeding its assets,but under Japan's corporate rehabilitation law the designer house will continue to operate at home and abroad."Founder and designer Yohji Yamamoto will continue to work," the company said.
       The bankruptcy filing reflects hard economic times in Japan. Normally fashion conscious Japanese women have turned to cheaper casual clothes amid the economic slump. In contrast to strug-gling high-end fashion houses like Yamamoto, demand for low-cost clothes is booming in Japan.
       Along with Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons,Yamamoto shook up the fashion world in the 1980s with his black and white minimalist dresses.
       When Yamamoto first showed his designs in Paris in 1981, he was met with stares of incomprehension. A decade later, they had become a uniform for the fashion community. Yamamoto is also known for his signature draping or simple cutting. The designer has also branched out into couture-style clothes for women and has collaborated with Japanese director Takeshi Kitano, designing costumes for his films.

NANOTECH TO GIVE THAI SILK IMPROVED QUALITIES

       The project, which envisages giving the fabrics water-repellant, fire-retardant and anti-bacterial qualities, among others, is a collaborative effort between the National Nanotechnology Centre (Nanotec) and the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Sacict).
       In official terms, it is a pilot project using nanotechnology to support local wisdom by adding value to traditional products. Nanotechnology involves the study and control of matter on an atomic and molecular scale.
       National Nanotechnology Centre director Sirirurg Songsivilai said the project was aimed at adding value to Thai silk and hand-woven cotton fabrics by coating them with nanoparticles to impart new qualities. These include an ability to repel water, retard fire and repel bacteria.
       The project is also cooperating with a private organisation, Thanapaisan, which has developed nanofilaments to achieve the encapsulation of fragrance as well as the anti-bacterial, water-repellent and fire-retardant qualities and combinations of these qualities, he said.
       Nanotec is now using nanoparticle technology to encapsulate fabrics in order to produce cloth with a rose, lemon or lavender fragrance.
       Sirirurg said the project sought not only to create value-added fabrics for the textile industry, but also for the furniture industry.
       There are also plans to develop a nanoresin coating technique to improve Thai silk by giving it "easy care" or "wrinkle-free" qualities.
       "Nanotec hopes to help Sacict to build up a network of support among different industries producing and selling local arts and crafts. It is able to apply new technologies to create techniques initiated by local wisdom for the sustainable development of Thailand," he said.
       Moreover, Nanotec plans to set up a pilot bi-component textile plant next year to explore production processes. The centre believes nanotechnology will not only add value to local products, but enhance the productivity of local communities and lift the quality of their fabrics.
       "We are not seeking to change the way of life for local people, but to use technology to provide and increase their quality of life, since Sacict will be able to expand their customer and market bases," Sirirurg said.
       Nanotec also plans in the near future to use nanotechnology to due fabrics by using natural colours, thereby increasing the special qualities of local fabrics such as cotton and silk.