FOLLOWERS OF FASHION were out in force last week as Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana unveiled her 2016 spring-summer collection in a spectacular show at Siam Paragon.

Taking it all in with smiles of delight were celebrities including Nualphan Lamsam, Channadda Chirathivat, Ploy Cherman, Kullawit Laosuksri, Polpat Asavaprapha and ML Chiratorn Chirapravati.

As meticulous as ever in the fine details, the latest Sirivannavari line takes its cues from art history, borrowing aesthetics from Romanticism and Impressionism, “with a touch of Versailles’ surroundings”.

“I started this collection with a sketch of the Chateau de Versailles,” the Princess told the assembled crowd, referring to France’s centuries-old royal palace outside Paris. “I sat on the bench and breathed in the ambience of the garden, the Petit Trianon and Le bassin d’Appollon.”

From the era of Impressionism that unfolded in France a century later, the Princess drew especially on the evocative charms of Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

“The tulip pattern is the signature for this collection,” she said. “Patterns and silhouettes are crucial. The pattern is the most significant element in dressmaking and I prioritise pattern-making as the heart of Maison Sirivannavari.”

There are 48 engaging looks in the collection for women. Among the showstoppers – all involving stunning structure and shape – are a tulip dress, a round-shouldered jacket with a geometric pattern, a tunic dress draped asymmetrically and a deconstructed jacket.

The embroidery is magnificent, with crystal beads sewn up and down one dress, 3D flowers on a bustier dress, and gooseberries adorning a bolero jacket that bears a peacock crest in gold thread.

The Princess continues to make clever use of graphic prints, in this case reflecting her admiration for the great Romantic and Impressionist painters. She’s created her own modern versions in acrylic paint and has hummingbirds flitting through a botanical garden as the signature print of the season.

The daughter of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn also presented a Bijoux jewellery collection. It includes a gold choker ringed with gooseberry pearls and rings and bracelets buzzing with hummingbirds. The petite bird also appears on marbles that cluster on earrings.

Completing the spring-summer line, accessories include a straw bag and clutches made of leather in one case and marble and wood in another. For footwear, the Princess’ focus remains on wedges, this season embellished with flowers and gooseberries.

There’s a beachwear line as well, resplendent with prints and cut-out patterns and alluring “bondage” details in the corset.

Denims enter the label’s repertoire for the first time, and there are togs for men too, including jackets, shirts, polo shirts, neckties and bow ties.

As if all this weren’t enough, the Princess drew gasps when she revealed yet another talent: She co-produced the original music for the show.

The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra did the honours for the catwalk presentation at Royal Paragon Hall.

Thanking the audience at the end, she pointed out that, despite the astonishing amount of details in her latest line, “each piece still clearly represents the signature design of Sirivannavari. I hope everyone can appreciate the true essence of the brand.”

? The clothes, jewellery and |accessories are on sale at the Sirivannavari boutique on the |first floor of Siam Paragon.