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.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
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.
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.
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."
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."
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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.
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.
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