LONDON-BASED artist Lynnie Z, best-known for her bold and colourful drawings, has joined up with Thailand-based global fashion brand Jaspal for a special collection tagged “Hi Life” to celebrate the launch of the brand’s new flagship store at Iconsiam.

The collaboration is part of the brand’s “Jaspal Gallery” project, which aims to select outstanding artists from around the world to design special collections that will delight customers every season.

Hi Life, a limited collection that includes fashion items for both men and women, is inspired by fun portrayed through such motifs as stars, hearts, lips and faces – Lynnie Z’s signature – with strong African links portrayed through vivid colours.

The launch event, which was part fashion show and part exhibition, also offered guests a range of fun activities including tattoo painting and photo corners, plus a live display from the artist.

“I was so honoured to be a part of such a wonderful project,” Lynnie said. “Thailand has an outstanding heritage and Thai people love art and fashion, which is the reason why I decided to come on board. Also, I think Jaspal and I share the same artistic soul, and, more importantly, the brand fully understands the story relayed behind my works.

“To me, this project was really wonderful, allowing me to create a masterpiece collection with a famous local brand, and communicate my inspiration, passion, and uniqueness through the collection. This is one of the best works I’ve ever created. As for the process in making this collection, for the most part, I came up with ideas and colours from my sketchbook.

These are organic and abrupt but they reflect a liveliness that I wanted to communicate through the collection.”

Stylist Akaphol Ruthaiyanont was impressed. “It’s a perfect combination between radiant colour and Jaspal’s splendid design. The collection is really outgoing and varied and once the pieces are mixed and matched with signature Lynnie Z’s patterns, they become one of a kind. I love every individual piece from the collection, especially the graphics.

KNOWN FOR its vibrant spins on classic Malaysian motifs, Nala is loved for its uniquely vintage patterns that have evolved from paper craft offerings and fabrics to a range of apparel and fashion accessories. Today, the brand has a presence in France, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Cambodia and Thailand, where it can be found tucked away in corners of 10 Central department stores.

Lisette Scheers, proprietor, pattern artist and creative director, attributes her creations to her multicultural upbringing. For the past decade, when she opened her first store in Kuala Lumpur, no single motif has been computer illustrated. She believes each pattern and design has a soul and reinforces the brand’s heritage as a purveyor of beautiful hand-designed patterns and silkscreens as well adorning lifestyle products from bags, apparel, gifts and fabrics to household furnishings and even carpets.

“Nala, which is named after my daughter, came into being with a box of stationary and has grown into ready-to-wear. I’m a Dutch national, born in Singapore and raised in Malaysia. I’ve spent my whole life in Asia and I’d like to preserve the Asian rich heritage. Everything here has a story to tell. It’s not just a pattern created to look pretty,” says Scheers, who flew into Bangkok to introduce her shop.

Scheers finds her inspiration in the Malaysian heritage and says one of her objectives is to preserve the culture that comes with a strong sense of symbolism and stories. She pays homage not only to the country’s varied cultural backgrounds but also flaunts elements inspired by local flora, fauna and vintage motifs. Her love of prints and patterns translated to a stunning paper-based collection of writing materials and whimsical gifts before evolving into colourful fabrics and timeless fashion.

“This collection is called ‘Over the Moon’ and is inspired by the traditional Chinese mooncake moulds that I found at a flea market in Kuching. The patterns cut a striking image with their vivid shades and ornate scalloped shapes. It is enhanced by the intricacy of traditional Malay Nonya jewellery, which inspired such patterns as Pinafleur, Broche Blush Pink, and Silver Songs. The 1950s are one of my favourite eras and I adore the skirts from that period. I think women looked really elegant dressed in a flared skirt with a tight top or Tutu dress. It’s just always pretty, I started with only four styles but now have 10 times more.

“I worked in advertising for more than 20 years and pattern making was something I did on the side. Whenever I have time, I always sketch. It is a challenge, like a number puzzle. It is complicated and you don’t know how it is going to come out. It is difficult to see where it begins and where it joins. I love that,” she adds.

“Colour is my biggest passion. I spend a lot of time working with colour and the Pantone check is my best friend and the first thing I do. I’ve never gone beyond 12 colours per collection. It’s a lot of colour |but it is controlled. My pattern is 100-per-cent Asian but doesn’t look Asian. That is also another challenge. They appeal to every walk of life and are ageless. The women of Nala are playful but always have their own opinions and I reflect that in my colours and fun patterns,” Scheers notes.

As a special tribute to mark the brand’s introduction to the Thai market, Nala is dedicating a floral-inspired pattern to the kingdom. The motif, aptly named “bunga kertas” (Malay for “paper flowers”) after the bougainvillea, was influenced by the rose, one of Thailand’s favourite blooms.

Scheers is also committed to sustainability and to the Zero Waste movement, taking steps to recycle left-over fabrics into toys, gifts and a host of practical items. She recently launched a soft toy, called “nalapinou” made entirely out of waste fabric. The name comes from a combination of Nala and “lapinou”, a French nickname for “lapin” which means “rabbit.” Nalapinou truly embraces the spirit of childhood while respecting the environment and its inhabitants.

“We’re making sure nothing goes to waste,” says Scheers.

 “With our scanning technology, we hope to modernise the process of making tailored clothes. We still want to provide people with traditional attentive service, but also realise that Bangkok has a transient population, especially among expats. Soon, when our online shop is up and running, you’ll be able to log-in, pull up your avatar — your body image — from wherever you are. You will be able to scroll through our fabrics, styles, and design and virtually try on your own suit, shirt or pair of slacks. Once you’re scanned, and are in our system, you will always be in our system. You can order from anywhere, and we’ll ship it to your doorstep,” says Andrea Parrish, who opened the shop last August together with another industry veteran, Jouni Heinonen.

Parrish Jones is the first to use 3D technology for bespoke clothing in Thailand. It is also one of the first to extract data to create better fitting garments. “Technology gives us an advantage as we can see many details other tailors can’t. Our scanner takes a thousand measurements in a few seconds, and allows us to see a bow in the back, sloped shoulder, or see if one leg is longer than the other. This allows us to make better fitting garments,” Parrish explains.

There’s no need for any hasty decisions when visiting the shop either. Having a relaxing drink while sitting on an opulent leather sofa is part of Parrish Jones’s appeal, where the customer is encouraged to take their time.

Getting to know his customer is where Parrish Jones aims to make a difference, employing plenty of capable staff to ask the right kind of questions. “We ask the client where they live, and where they are going to wear their clothes. Are they travelling a lot? If so, they don’t want to buy an expensive wool suit because it will wrinkle,” Heinonen explains.

Parrish Jones offers barber services, Bespoke clothing, and a full line of accessories in one location.

Find out more at http://www.parrishjones.com, Facebook.com/parrishjonesbangkok, or email bangkok@parrishjones.com.

Italian luxury fashion house Gucci recently opened a store at Bangkok’s newest shopping desti¬nation Iconsiam on the Chao Phraya River.

After nearly a century, Gucci remains true to its heritage, which is celebrated in the 512squaremetre store stocked with a wide selection of men’s and women’s readytowear, handbags, shoes, accessories, watches, jewellery, eye¬wear and fragrances.

Its walls of white and grey mar¬ble are visible through the mall’s distinctive glass facade. The interi¬or design is discreet, welcoming and relaxing, with velvet armchairs and vintage darkwood display furni¬ture offset by industrial elements like rivets.

Surprising and unexpected combinations of materials create an understated drama. Chequered wood inlays decorate the floors alongside herringbone patterns. There’s a bespoke client space for an exclusive shopping experience, characterised by mauve velvetupholstered walls, a marble mosa¬ic floor and Gucci Decor furniture.

Gucci is currently touting Arli and Rajah bags and its “Cruise 2019 #GucciGothic” campaign – a surreal take on the legend of Noah’s Ark.

The shape of the ark and Gothic architectural silhouettes form the main body of the structure, while the motiongraphic portrays sur¬realist imagery such as cascading earrings in the rain, animated bees, 3D animal heads, and other refer¬ences to Gucci motifs.

The Arli bag, named after the ancient French city of Arles, is ele¬gant in leather, suede or exotic skin. The Rajah adopts the Sanskrit word meaning “prince” or “king” and fea¬tures hardware shaped like a roar¬ing tiger’s head, coloured enamel details and sparkling crystals.

THE ULTIMATE designs for men who love to travel and look as good on arriving at their destination as they did on leaving home made their debut in Bangkok last month with the launch of French brand Boll & Rava at King Power Mahanakhon.

Swiss national Bertrand Boll and Frenchman Guillaume Rava met 12 years ago as classmates before heading around the world as the artistic directors and designers for popular fashion houses Vicomte A and Lorenz Bach. The projects allowed the duo to discover then develop their unique style based on colour association and the use of contrasting fabrics and textures and the compliments they earned on their travels for their stylish gear were so numerous that the friends finally decided to create the perfect garments fit for a 48-hour trip with a cabin trolley.

And so the adventure began with a smart but casual blazer made from luxurious wool and with anti shrinkage treatment, an elegant shirt made by Thomas Mason in white poplin with an invisible anti-sweat patch under the arm, a document holder in crocodile skin produced by master craftsmen in Italy around Milan, chic cashmere jogging pants and a light cashmere and silk scarf for when the air conditioning on the plane is too chilly for comfort.

The pair flew to Bangkok for the opening of their twin boutiques, one named after them and the other dubbed Ace Denim.

“For the past 12 years, we have been travelling almost every week by plane, car and train. We realised that guys on the go tend to do the same thing – pack a suitcase with a formal suit, blazer, white shirt and jeans to cover what they’ll likely need while on the trip. Over the years, we have developed the perfect travel wardrobe for businessmen,” says Boll.

“One day while we were waiting at the carousel for our luggage, a Hollywood superstar walked up to us and asked where she could buy what we were wearing for her boyfriend. So we thought maybe we should commercialise our designs and create our own brand with this perfect vision of travel. Our aims are durability, contrast with a twist, comfort, and self-confidence. For example, this jacket is made of classic tailoring fabric but we have added sporty details on the waist. We use refined cashmere yarn but silicon supertech details so it’s going to be more modern and contemporary and we use bright yellow instead of traditional hues. Luxurious materials and fabrics are combined with French and Italian craftsmanship. Cotton crepe made from Italy is mixed with the super tech to give the garment a different feel,” Rava adds.

The new collection now available in Bangkok includes that elegant blazer made with luxurious Super 160s wool and the Thomas Mason white poplin 120/2 shirt with anti-sweat underarm pads. Also in stock is the alligator leather document holder, chic cashmere jogging pants, and a light cashmere and silk scarf.

The brand’s logo features two dots representing both designers. “It symbolises both of us because we are always together. It’s about the contrast and the balance. Sometime the dots are diamonds and sometime they are embroidery,” says Rava.

In 2008 Boll and Rava won an award for their creativity designs at “Who’s Next”, a leading French trade show and made headlines in the French media. Over the past five years, they have designed special collections for prestigious partners such as the Polo Club of St Tropez and Polo Club of Gstaad, Le Mans Classic and Le Tour auto races and the Vendee Globe sailing race. The Boll & Rava brand shot to fame in 2015 when the two designers presented their first travel suit on BFM, a French television channel. They also became the official outfitter for France’s La Ligue football club AS Monaco for two seasons from 2016 to 2017.

Closer to Thailand, Boll & Rava has collaborated with Leicester City Football Club (LCFC), which is owned by the late Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, founder of King Power. Thanks to the duo’s high attention to detail, the LCFC look as elegant, sophisticated, and sporty. The brand also makes special accessories in fluo yellow to reflect Boll & Rava’s identity and capture the spirit of the modern age.

“The challenge is to give customers comfort and self-confidence. We want our clients to feel confident when they wear our suit and give them power to do whatever they want in life. In the past, knights wore armour. The armour gave the wearers power and confidence. The same concept applies to clothes. For us, well-designed clothes are the modern armour. In our collaboration for Leicester City, we started by underlining our shared values.

We created a special design for them using our fluo yellow, the blue of the club and the camouflage army pattern. The players will feel confident when they are up against Manchester United or Liverpool,” says Rava.

“For Monaco, we proposed a very chic look like shorts and double-breasted jacket with gold buttons. But the guys said they were sportsmen and never wore anything like this. However, little by little, they gained media attention when they arrived at the stadium in this total look with the jacket and bag. They became confident and they won the cup, which was great,” adds Boll.

The duo’s second brand, Ace Denim, is equally as chic, neatly combining the casual fabric with such luxury details as metal buttons and embroidery.

The brand Ace Denim uses premium-quality fabrics that are all from the same base, double twined and twisted, made from 98-per-cent cotton and two-per-cent elastin for comfort. The brand’s washes make its products unique. Washing techniques are renewed every season to deliver ever more sophisticated products with a luxurious feel.

The signature of Ace Denim is the use of galvanised copper as the colour of all the metal elements including buttons, rivets and zips as well as packaging and the lettering on the label. The choice of colour reflects an alliance between industrial roots and sophisticated modernity. And every year, Ace Denim chooses an artist like Paul Sibuet or Alec Monopoly to collaborate on a limited-edition collection.

The two happily admit that their favourite destination is in Asia. “I’d say Hong Kong is really inspiring as well as Bangkok because as we’ve learnt more about the country, and its culture, we have found inspiration for our designs. In Europe it’s Milan. There we can really feel the sense of pret-a-porter,” Rava notes.

“The French Rivera lacks the contrast – it is only beautiful. Here you have beautiful contrasts, you have tradition, you have culture, and you have modernity. Bangkok has the same synergy like in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore. And we don’t have this in France. So, it is very nice and inspiring to travel in Asia. To observe and get inspiration,” says Boll.

IT’S OUT and it’s official – Living Coral is the 2019 colour of the year. That’s according to the team at the Pantone Colour Institute responsible for creating the Pantone Fashion Colour Trend Report, an overview that highlights the top colours designers will show during fashion weeks all around the world. And they will probably be right: for 20 years, Pantone’s Colour of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design, as well as product, packaging, and graphic design.

Leaving last year’s Ultra Violet behind, Pantone notes “Living Coral” – or Pantone16-1546 to give it its technical name – “reflects the desire to face the future with confidence and optimism”, and describes the colour as “vibrant, yet mellow.

“Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment. In reaction to the onslaught of digital technology and social media increasingly embedding into daily life, we are seeking authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy,” the press release continues.

And the fashion industry is taking note, as evidenced by early glimpses of many brand’s collections for spring-summer 2019.

Hermes

The luxury fashion house’s vision for the warmer weather this year combines pure, hot blocks of colour, a coral shade included, with the lightest summer cashmere, the softest, most supple leathers and cotton as glossy as the leather for a new fluidity of style.

Bao Bao by Issey Miyake

A favourite with Thai fashionistas. Bao Bao by Issey Miyake presents its new Glacier bags, which play with colour gradation to reflect how a glacier constantly changes hues according to the weather. Fans will find the coral shade in the Orange mix, which brings to mind a glacier as the sun sets, although the Grey mix and Blue mix will no doubt prove equally as popular.

Balenciaga

The luxury fashion house’s spring ’19 collection sees an integration of the creative direction of Balenciaga Women and Men. The translations of high concept silhouettes –from high-tech 3D moulded tailoring to multi-fused garments – suggest new ways of contrasting formal jackets and coats with open-necked shrunk-cut shirts, bootcut jeans and chiselled black leather shoes for men and tweed checked coats worn with knitted thigh-high boots, like the ones Michelle Obama recently wore. for women. Coral makes is appearance in the all-over print dress that includes the LGBTQ rainbow, and a shopping bag bearing the international sign for gender equality.

Mulberry

The British brand’s creative director Johnny Coca, takes inspiration from not only the aesthetic of the 1960s but also the mood – optimism, positivity and energetic spirit. Colours are joyous, combining vibrant shades of pillar-box red, teal and royal blue with classic navies, camels and greys. There are also sugared-almond pastels – mint julep, lemon and soft pinks, mixed with fresh white. Geometric shapes inspire new clutches aptly titled the Roundabout and the Square – named after British street suffixes, one of which spells out optimism with its attractive coral shade.

Pleats Please by Issey Miyake

“Childhood Feelings”, which launches in Japan on Saturday, is the latest creation in the Pleats Please by Issey Miyake line and is richly overlapped with the origins of the brand. The “Aurora Mist” series comes in gradational colours inspired by the clarity of glass with a cool blue and a summery orange that passes through coral on its way to pink making the strongest impression.

Marni

A rabbit symbol was first introduced more than a decade ago as a detail on the Marni shoes line. For spring and summer 2019, creative director Francesco Risso decided to reinterpret this iconic symbol and present it in a new and playful way. With additional supporting graphics inspired by Japanese streetwear, the style comes with variations of the Dance Bunny as an all-over or placed print, intarsia, or applique patch to embellish strong, image-driven products such as knitwear, shirts, sweatshirts, t-shirts and polos, outerwear, and sport pants, as well as an assortment of streetwear-inspired accessories – and yes, coral is in there too.

Jim Thompson

Nearer to home, the Jim Thompson spring and summer collection, “Wonder Silk – a Mysterious Journey” is captured in three chapters. An “Epic and Mysterious” journey, starts with blue hues and elegant patterns and is inspired by “Carte du Royaume of Siam”, a 16th century itinerary trade map, discovered in the James HW. Thompson Founda- tion’s archive. The second, “Tracing Jim Thompson’s Emblematic Jour- ney” boasts warm hues, coral among them, while the third, “Journey as Traveller”, presents a rich hues and patterns from lavish leaves to tropical flower designs.

Chanel

Chanel, meanwhile, puts attitude into its new Chanel 31 bag, pairing distinctive colours for an eye-catching contrast. The name is not only a nod to Chanel’s famous address on the rue Cambon, but also a play on the equally famous French expression “se mettre sur son 31”, translating in English as “dressed to the nines”. A tote with built-in handles, it can be held in the hand or folded in half to become an oversized clutch. Knotted inside is a double strap in two-tone leather that offers a third way of being carried, over the shoulder. Surprisingly light and supple, it exists as a two-tone lambskin version, beige and black in the purest Chanel tradition, plus an array of dynamic colour combinations: pink/ red, red/orange, royal blue/hot pink, green/pink beige and pink/pink beige. No coral though but the orange comes surprisingly close.

ONE THE leading names in leather goods for men, Berluti recently celebrated the official launch of its flagship boutique at Central Embassy by flying in its master shoemaker Patrice Rock to demonstrate the craftsmanship of French style shoemaking.

The opening party was hosted by Pranapda Phornprapha, director of House of Patina, the official importer and distributor of the world-renowned brand.

Since 1895, Berluti has cultivated its own unique style by bringing together audacity, fantasy and classicism. The brand, which is now part of French multinational luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, believes that expertise in shape, leather patinas, fabric selection and precision of cut are the signatures of the ideal male wardrobe.

The brand has been making shoes for the elegant man since it was founded and has been built by four generations of shoemakers. The Duke of Windsor, Jean Cocteau and Andy Warhol were amongst the brand’s A-list clients.

Its story began at the end of the 19th century, when 30-year-old Italian Alessandro Berluti, brought his creative energy to Paris in order to practise his craft as a master shoemaker. He named his first model, a lace-up shoe, after himself, Alessandro, and the House took his surname, Berluti. Since then, every generation of the House has cultivated exceptional savoir-faire in the mastery of form and working with leather and patinas. The result is models that are incomparably elegant and comfortable as well as representing a certain art de vivre and distinguished character.

The new boutique reflects the customary Berluti decor where the cabinet of curiosities meets the gentleman’s club. Traditional materials in contemporary configurations are accessorised as urbanely and impeccably as the House’s best customers in an easy blend of leisure and sophistication. It’s quiet but luxurious with classical material choices, of which smooth wood, warm brass and leather furniture are the mainstays.

The wooden floor laid in a traditional herringbone pattern has been given a modern twist with oversized blond-grey planks. Plaster walls are hand-finished in a warm-grey tone to evoke the subtle effect of natural stone. Display fixtures combine vertical slabs of onyx, smooth grey-lacquered shelves and hand-polished bronze frames. Even the cashier’s counter is elegant made from Portoro Gold marble, the intense black marble unique to the Mediterranean. The look is as masculine as it is discreet.

The new boutique displays the complete lifestyle range of the House including shoes, leather goods, amongst which are the bespoke Alessandro Berluti shoes, the lace-up dress shoe made from a single piece of leather with no visible stitching. Also available are the Un Jour or Deux Jour briefcases in Venezia leather with scritto, and fast track sneakers.

MUCH-LOVED Italian high fashion women’s clothing and accessory brand Miu Miu is strengthening its presence in Bangkok with the re-opening of its prestigious boutique in Siam Paragon, the first destination in Thailand to introduce the new concept store.

The re-imagined store has a total surface area of approximately 140 square metres and is dedicated to the display of accessories, bag, shoe and ready-to- wear collections.

Testimony to the constant evolution of the image of Miu Miu, the iconic golden damask fabric is now created exclusively for the brand in harmonious light blue. Both ceiling and floor are in this same shade creating the effect of a monochrome box, at once intimate and contemporary.

Walls are entirely covered in blue damask, punctuated by display shelves in the same material, and by floor-to-ceiling mirrors while the floor is carpeted in light blue creating an opulent and coherent aesthetic.

But, of course, the real belle of the ball is the new Miu Miu collection, which portrays the glamour of day and night.

Evenings take on a relaxed note with post-after party sneakers and slippers while daywear in denim and jersey becomes elegant with the memories of the dresses of the evening before: feathers, crystals to wear with high heels and tennis socks.

The great new elements of the season are the long film star gowns in couture fabrics such as satin, duchesse satin and animal-print jacquard trimmed with feathers and coloured marabou, or in nylonette with a frill and Chantilly lace on the hems.

Other evening dresses are enhanced by Swarovski crystals and 1960s’ geometric elements but those who want to go against the long evening dress trend can instead opt for A-line mini-tunics and the mini-skirts. Glamour also trickles down into the nightwear – the baby dolls are decorated with contrasting feather trims and all-over embroidery.

The counterpart to night glamour is a sporty feeling presented in the techno-jersey suits with contrasting details. Denim pieces represent daytime with pastel shades, a bleached stone-washed effect in oversized jackets, high-waisted micro-shorts, mini-jackets, and 1960s’ baby dolls with contrasting feathers on the hem. Multi-coloured prints are printed on white denim patches with the Miu Miu logo. The idea of the “mini suit” is also presented.

Bags take their cue from hobo, cacciatore, and travel. Cleo bags are offered in “diamond” versions while Mini Bags and small funny accessories to wear on the shoulder link to the themes of the jewellery.

This is characterised by the presence of watches, and giant pearls with macro strass crystals worn together with necklaces.

Sandals and shoes recall a 1970s’ aesthetic of glamour with absolutely feminine lines such as jewel chain detail, a hint of Swarovski and a bow, paired with Plexiglas wedges. The 1980s’ touches are also presented with the use of sequins, embroidery and leopard lam fabrics.

The motto, “Everything is inspired by something else”, has always been the heart of Boyy’s designs and creations.

The designers, Wannasiri Kongman and Jesse Dorsey’s live close to Chinatown and set out to find favourite Chinese restaurants in every destination they visit, experiencing both the integrated culture of American-Chinese fare such as the fortune cookies and takeaway noodle boxes.

The designers’ inspiration combined with their fascination for the mysterious Chinese lifestyle and culture has resulted in Boyy Bamboo Den, the world’s first Boyy official pop-up store. The oriental elements are brought to a fantasised interpretation enriched with clean and minimal details, creating a surreal splendour in the heart of Siam Paragon. The store will be in operation until January 28.

On sale is the new and exclusive Cruise 19 collection and special Colour Block handbags that have been well received since their first appearance in the previous collection. The colour selections range from tones suiting the cruise theme to Boyy’s all-time favourite hues, matched with the new Plexiglass Buckle, and the return of the popular Metal Buckle both in gold and silver.

Bamboo Den also offers an exclusive customised station where customers can enjoy matching handbags with customised buckles in new materials. Customers will be able to select the colour and finishing of the buckles on such iconic designs as Bobby, Bobby 23, Devon, and Karl.

To celebrate the holiday gifting season, the store also has a range of small leather goods to snap up as presents.