Among the special guests invited to the opening were actress and friend of the brand, Davika “Mai” Hoorne, Mew Nittha, Mint Chalida, Min Pechaya, Nine Naphat, Boy Pakorn, JJ Kritsanapoom, Captain Chonlathorn, Thanaerng Kanyawee, Jing Jing Yu, Fang Thanantorn, Faye Pornpraween , Sonya Singha, Piraya Singha, Duang Poshyanonda and Lexie Na Thalang.

The space is characterised by warm colours, with a clean, modern and contemporary feel to embody the innovative spirit, creativity and penchant for quality for which Fendi is known. The facade is a stunning ivory limestone featuring multiple different textures and an iconic square pattern whilst the interiors feature classic champagne metal shelves with white-and-gold handmade stucco background highlights, against a handcrafted 3D plaster wall.

The Women’s Accessories area is characterised by softer earth tones and sophisticated pale pink carpets and features signature handbags, small leather goods and fashion jewellery. The second room displays the women’s ready-to wear selection with two armchairs created by Cristina Celestino and a console table by Thierry Lemaire in light blue completing the decoration. A patchwork fur tablet, “Pioggia di Colori’, from the Fur Atelier archives, and sketches by Karl Lagerfeld are framed throughout the boutique in subtle nod to the heritage and prestige of the house.

The Men’s universe, wrapped in warmer, grey and blue hues, more intense and sharper colours has a very different atmosphere. The furniture includes a rosewood console, a coffee crystal table with rosewood and brass details, and a textured armchair.

From the outside, the store’s mustard yellow boiserie is visible through the mall’s distinctive glass facade. The interior is discreet, with velvet armchairs and vintage dark wood furniture offsetting harder surfaces and industrial elements, and offering a warm and relaxed welcome to customers. Contemporary luxury is suggested through the use of beautiful materials and spare use of the space. In keeping with the elegant and contemporary eclecticism that characterises Gucci’s collections, the store combines traditional and modern, industrial and romantic.

The DIY service finishes today though it will be available online later. It features bomber jackets in silk and in reversible style, in models with embroidery and patches, and in different single-colour options. The denim jackets are in 14 oz Japanese denim and come in two washes and two fits; they can be lined in either silk or shearling, and are offered with different options of patches.

The customisation available depends on the garment in question, but beyond fabrics and colours it centres on options for a wide range of motifs that can be applied. The patches and embroidery on offer are drawn from Gucci’s lexicon of symbols and include kingsnakes, flowers and bees. These can appear discretely on the cuff or collar of a shirt, or as a large patch on the back of a tailored or denim jacket. A large monogram patch can be applied to bomber, denim and leather jackets, as well as sweatshirts.

The new Gucci DIY alphabet can be added to the Ophidia tote bag, which features a background of the interlocking G pattern, a gold metal Double G decoration, a green-red-green Web stripe on both sides and brown leather trim and handles, as well as to the Ace sneaker. The shoes and bags feature a DIY signature mark.

SUMMER time is sneaker time and international brands are celebrating the arrival of the holiday season by unveiling their latest collections, innovations and inspirations.

Ecco

A pioneer in technology meets functionality, family-own Danish brand, Ecco has come up with a hybrid sneaker, the Ecco Omni-vent, with breathable textile uppers that make them as good for pounding urban streets as rural paths. The air-channels have been modified to give them a more rugged appearance, which adds to the shoe’s athletic styling. Excess heat and moisture can escape, while perforations in the uppers create the optimal inner climate for the foot.

Thomas Meng, the brand’s regional director in Asia Pacific, says that Ecco has expanded across the world. “Our popularity owes a lot to the brand’s heritage, which encompasses passion, innovation and a love of raw materials, as well as to our production facilities. We have our own tanneries, and a production facility in Ayutthaya. We have been working in Thailand for 26 years and are full of praise for the craftsmanship of our Thai workers. Maximum production capacity is as many as 75,000 pair of shoes per week,” he explains.

“Leather innovations have also played an essential role. The Ecco Omni-vent, which is crafted from Ecco leather, is one of the high-end materials developed by the Ecco Leather Studio. Fluidform Injection Technology creates an integral, long-lasting and seamless bond between the upper and sole without any of the complications that have been associated with stitching and glueing. With the signature Ecco anatomical fit, which closely follows the curves of the foot, the wearer is assured of comfort. Whether walking on city pavements or hiking up a hill, the robust rubber outsole enhances natural flexibility while improving grip in all weather conditions.”

Camper

The fashionable and stylish brand from Spain finds inspiration in the beauty of furniture and home decor and turns these into different unique shapes and forms for its newest collection. In a nod to the “Camper House” campaign, creative director, Romain Kremer draws on the design of everyday furniture and juxtaposes this in pastel shades of lemon yellow, blue and green matched with classic black and white.

A new take on the washing machine, the Nothing sneaker becomes a fashionable must-have item, while the structure of a heater is behind the outsoles of the Pix lace shoe. The Courb sneaker meanwhile is inspired by the simplicity and style of a pasta strainer, the curves of sanitary ware are expressed in the Kaah’s chunky design, and the Runner Four sneaker is inspired by classic dog toys. The overall design keeps its identity of unisex, multicolour, comfort, and quality intact.

Lacoste

The much-loved French brand debuted its street style Wildcard sneakers collection by inviting Thailand’s leading street artist, Parinya Pichetsiriporn aka Benzilla, creator of 3Balls, to create an exclusive design at the launch event, which was joined by rapper “Twopee” – Pitawat Pruksakit, Dharmthai Plangsilp, and Guntee Pitithan.

Lacoste sneakers can be worn to play sports or simply to look chic. The Wildcard sneakers are inspired by the vintage design of the iconic 1990s LT 150 sneakers but given a modern touch of tennis elements. The footwear has a triple-layer sole for better shock absorption while the soft leather with mesh details make them flexible and comfortable no matter where you are walking.

“Adding street influences into the design makes this collection stand out and fun to wear. The three designs for the collection are the result of the blending of the iconic Crocodile logo with my signature aliens,” says Parinya.

Onitsuka Tiger

One of the most popular Japanese brands amongst Thais, Onitsuka Tiger introduces a range of sneakers on the theme “Summer of Love”. Thai superstars Patchrapa “Aum” Chaichua, Naphat “Nine” Siangsomboon, and Rasri “Margie” Balenciaga joined models for a sneak preview of the latest collection, which is co-designed with Italian designer, Andrea Pompilio.

“Stripe Summer” encompasses the Mexico 66 SD and Mexico 66 SD MR sneakers, both of which are environmentally friendly thanks to the use of metal-free leather and come in soft shades.

“Sporty Holidays” launches next month and features this year’s highlight, Tiger Horizonia, designed by combining the elements of trail sneakers, shoe soles and curved toe areas. The sneakers feature FuzeGel on the heels and OrthoLite inside.

“Honolulu on My Mind” will be launched in May and boast coconut-printed designs. And then there’s the distinctive Tsunahiki 2.0 sneakers with a no-strings design and contrasting colours.

RARIN “Ta” Thongma, shoe designer and start-up founder turned millionaire, recently hosted the grand opening of her flagship O&B store at the Emporium Shopping Complex.

Established in 2012, O&B is best known for Rarin’s ballerina-style shoes made of sheepskin leather in 50 pretty shades, which guarantee ultimate comfort and an attractive price. The brand, originally available only online, was an instant hit with working women.

Over the years as she worked to take her brand international, Rarin has collaborated with world-famous fashion icons Anna Dello Russo and Aimee Song and also designed a special shoe collection for Miss Universe 2018.

The new concept store is feminine, relaxing and fragrant with blooms, which will change every three months depending on what’s in season. This month it’s all about daisies, one of the inspirations for the exclusive collection Ploychava x O&B by renowned fashionista Chavaporn “Ploy” Laohapongchana, which is now available at the store.

The O&B flagship boutique also stocks the entire signature line of the brand, the famous Audrey Collection, which is crafted from many different materials. Audrey Comfy is made from sheepskin, model, Audrey Antoinette from soft velvet while the Audrey Tweed combines luxurious sheepskin with elegant tweed patterns.

IN A TENT in Dubai surrounded by fire-breathers and circus performers, Dior unveiled a 15-piece capsule collection that dug into the house’s archive to honour the woman of today.

Italian designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, the first woman to lead the legendary French label, and her hallmark feminism were present in force, with a limited collection that drew on motifs popularised by Christian Dior himself, redefined to accomodate the contemporary woman.

Pleated skirts in muted, metallic rainbow colours and redingotes laced with hand-embroidered gold frogging were paired with pedestrian-friendly, fantastically glittery flats and chunky-heeled boots – with neither stiletto nor peep-toe in sight.

“In this specific show we made a little capsule, that is like a small, new collection, of 15 pieces,” Chiuri told AFP ahead of the show.

“Every time we move to another country, in some ways it’s the location that gives us inspiration.

“When you think about Dubai, you think of a place that in a sense is very Mediterranean, where there is the sun. So we use more colour, different techniques, different shapes.”

Chiuri’s closing look was a three-piece, multi-coloured polkadot ensemble featuring a structured leotard, billowing full-length skirt and ruffled cape.

Pulling from her last show at Paris Fashion Week, the Dubai catwalk also featured Chiuri’s circus-inspired organza and tulle dresses, ringmaster blazers and lion-tamer jackets – a nod, she says, to the sisterhood that binds women.

“In the circus, in specific – because it’s the circus that we used – all the women worked together. And each woman trusted the other woman, because it’s impossible to make this kind of exercise if you don’t trust each other,” Chiuri said.

Celebrated milliner Stephen Jones’ eye-catching glitter skullcaps topped every look, part Pierrot-joins-Instagram, part glam Amelia Earhart.

“There is this element in the circus that fascinates me a lot. That is the clown. Behind the mask of the clown, you don’t know if there’s a man or a woman. You know that it’s a person,” Chiuri explained.

“So I covered the hair, because I would like for people to focus on the clothes.”

One black-and-gold pattern on both boots and skullcaps in particular stood out – a star, polka dot and paisley combination, a tribute to the star Christian Dior found on the sidewalk outside of what would become his flagship store, and a nod to the arabesque of the Arab world.

“The more I go around the world the more I think that the women are the same around the world,” said Chiuri, an advocate of the idea of a global sisterhood.

“There is perhaps differences in taste, but this is also about personality, for women and for men.”

FASHION DESIGNER extraordinaire, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana has long been known for her flights of fancy and this year was no exception, with the talented Princess taking fashionistas on a journey to a new planet called “Naravanna” for her spring and summer 2019 collections for Sirivannavari and S’Homme.

With a setting that included intense orchestral sounds and such special effects as laser lights and movable circular steel beams, the spectacular show really did seem as though it was being staged in the far reaches of the universe.

The Princess describes Naravanna as an undiscovered planet where the highest stage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has been achieved yet the rich diversity of nature maintained, adding that while every living thing looks different and unfamiliar as a result of alien metamorphosis and mutations, the fauna and flora live happily in unison.

The collection, named “Abode of Metamorphosis”, is a visual dream of ultra-feminine silhouettes, exquisite embroidery and the Maison’s signature graphic prints and was tastefully brought to life at last week’s fashion show at Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon.

“Naravanna’s creatures, especially the mutants, stirred me in designing this latest collection, featuring graphics inspired by the AI’s mainboard, African-influenced craftsmanship and space-age details. The silhouettes and structures for this season are quite varied and complicated, from deconstructed looks to asymmetrical gowns. I added some details and techniques to create new dimensions such as a quilted pattern, pleating techniques from Gerard Lognon’s workshop in Paris and Maasai Mara-inspired embroidery produced in our own atelier,” said the Princess.

Featuring 67 looks – 59 in the womenswear category and eight for the men – the show opened with a bolero Lurex tweed jacket paired with a dress of the same fabric, a cut-out midriff dress with the fluid silk chiffon skirt in the signature print and a cocktail peplum dress with a metallic quilt detail echoing the space-age theme.

For an ultra-feminine look, the collection also features a zebra-sequinned tulle blouse with hand-stitched feather details and a white corset dress with double layering of fringes – burgundy silk and African beads.

The talents of the seamstresses at the in-house workshop of couture embroidery, Sirivannavari Atelier and Academy, were put firmly in the spotlight through magnificent embroidery on the feather applique blouse and a crystal-and-pearl encrusted gown with embroidered African beads details.

Graphic prints, the brand’s DNA, were as ever among the highlights. The Princess has created prints this season by visually translating her imagination, including those details signifying Naravanna, such as mutants, alien creatures, AI’s mainboard, and gearwheels. The prints are incorporated throughout the collection, from ready to wear to leather goods, shoes and scarves, with the 120 cm x 120 cm square and the mini-rectangles used for handbag handles.

The Bijoux Collection offers both fine jewellery and fashion jewellery, the former featuring the Maison’s emblem “S” and “Peacock” and comprising rings, earrings and necklaces in 18-karat rose gold adorned with mother of pearl, pearl, lapis lazuli and malachite. The key piece –a peacock choker in rose gold – drew appreciative murmurs from the audience. The fashion jewellery, meanwhile, is modern and fun in a silver and brass setting, coated with 14 karat gold and encrusted with Swarovski crystals, feathers, beads from Kazuri workshop in Kenya. Key pieces include a silver tiara adorned with crystal and a bangle featuring a tiger face.

To complete and complement the look, the collection also features Italian leather goods, including a python bucket bag with a variety of shaped charms, a zebra bucket bag adorned with feathers and charms, and a clutch featuring the signature print of the season with the peacock badge.

The feet were not forgotten, with a shoe collection in styles ranging from a casual sandal with African beads and feather embellishment, to classic two-toned sling back shoes made from python and calf and an elegant shoe with leopard print leather, gearwheel-shaped heels and crystal and fringe adornment.

The beachwear collection was positively empowering with slimming cut-out silhouettes and a robe offering a finishing touch of elegance. This year also saw the launch of an activewear line.

For S’Homme, the menswear collection celebrates the elegant gentleman from Naravana. The key looks include a hoodie trench coat in beige with badges on the sleeves, a yellow safari jacket with navy blue cropped pants and a two-button suit in sage green.

The signature looks for shirts this season has piping in African colour stripes worn with cropped trousers pants. The collection also features men’s leather goods including loafers in signature prints, sandals with African beaded embroidery, and clutches and duffel bags in the Princess’ signature prints. Fine jewellery and fashion accessories also made an appearance and included a white gold ring adorned with mother of pearl, lapis lazuli and malachite, leather necklaces with pendants, tie pins with the “S” logo and a tiger emblem. Guys too were invited to look cool on the beach with bathrobes and swimwear in the Princess’ signature prints.

And Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana also showcased another her talents by composing the score for the fashion show. “As a composer, artistic director and patron of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO), I composed an original score for the RBSO to perform at the show. It consisted of 5.5 acts: first, ‘Vanishing Inhabitation’, second, ‘Fragmentary Time’, third, ‘Abode of Metamorphosis’, fourth, ‘AI/Memorandum’ and fifth, ‘Tribal Transcendence’.

“I started to write the song with a marimba, a type of African xylophone, then added the sounds of the rhythm section such as bass, guitar, drums and synthesiser, and combined them with the sounds of a classical section to perfect the score. I also created a new percussion instrument named ‘Reform’ inspired by gearwheels. To make this score go in the same direction as my fashion collection, I adding the sounds of space, drones and ambient noise. Moreover, I invited a noted female vocalist, Rudklao Amratisha, to feature in the song and recite the lyrics I wrote,” the Princess concluded.

ALWAYS STYLISH

– Sirivannavari Spring/Summer 2019 collection is available at the Sirivannavari Boutique on the 1st Floor, Siam Paragon Shopping Complex.