Italian high-end knitwear brand Missoni now has its very own store in Thailand and celebrated its opening last week with a party hosted by third-generation member of the Missoni family and board member Giacomo that was attended by local celebrities, socialites and the press.

Set up in a small workshop in the basement of Ottavio and Rosita Missoni’s home in Gallarate in 1953, the business has grown into one of the most prominent fashion houses in the world with its distinctive, free-spirited style.

Today Missoni’s glamorous style is instantly recognisable by its zigzag patterns and signature crochet knitwear, as the brand continues to create fabric sensations. Angela Missoni took over at the helm in 1997 and as creative director is committed to infusing the family’s brand with new energy and communicating trends and ideas. Her brother Luca is the artistic director of the Missoni Archive, which he is developing into a project to promote the company’s artistic and fashion heritage.

The new store in Bangkok is spread over 140 square metres on the first floor of the Luxe gallerie at Central Chidlom. It features both women’s and beachwear collections, complemented by a wide selection of accessories in an elegant symmetry of clothing and furnishing arrangements. The interior interprets Missoni’s heritage by playing with the tones and textures of different materials.

The new boutique is showcasing the brand’s summer 2017 collection Purity, which is characterised by an informal and relaxed elegance and exemplified in tank dresses that adhere to the body. Overlays of ribbed headbands, sarong scarves and petite cardigans tied at the waist define the silhouette.

There are deep v-necks, pieces with tromp-l’oeil effects, and lines that caress the body. Micro dresses, bathing suits and bikinis with micro tops and high-cut bottoms are fashioned from lightweight space-dye knitwear. Dazzling gold lame accentuates the spectacular nature and sensuality of the each individual piece, transforming them into precious jewelled objects.

The soft versatility of Missoni knitwear plays a principle part in the collection; ever more refined and exclusive due to its unique and innovative knitting techniques. Textures are shaved, perforated, raised, elaborated, compacted and weightless. Irregular colour blocking is mixed with malachite or tiger stripes. Embroidered lace-knits and space-dye meshes are enhanced by brilliantly intense contrasts of yellow, turquoise, coral, sand, white and black. New tones, stitches and compositions are superimposed to create differing lights and weights, creating aesthetically rich variations.

Knitwear plays on geometric forms while imitating the markings of solid stone and the natural surface erosion of rocks and pebbles.

Large, colourfully-lacquered disk earrings and talismanic bijoux inspired by exotic masks add a playful look that is completed by babouche slippers made from knitted patchworks and space-dyes, in foiled leather or decorated intarsia designs in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours.

The Spring 2017 collection is also presented through the much-loved iconic Missoni patterns. Stripes, squares and zigzags exist by side, superimposing themselves in an endless interlacing of horizontal bands, vertical ribs and twisted constructions.

Contrasting space-dyes and solid colours flow through lacework and netting, fringing and towel stitching in combinations of classic eyelet-stitch, nut-pattern motifs and patchwork-insert details.

A variety of outfits for both day and evening are illuminated by intense tones and shimmering lurex reflections, evoking iridescent holograms in a radiant spectrum of colour.

Accessories include wide knitted belts with resin buckles, extra-long ribbon scarves and knitted sneakers and sandals with criss-crossing double straps.

Even the most vigilant among us can end up with a few unfamiliar sunspots or discoloration. Uneven skin tone occurs because frequent and prolonged exposure to sunlight causes the skin to produce more melanin, which is our skin’s defensive against the sun. The more melanin is produced, the darker your skin will become. Skin discoloration might sound harmless but it can add years to your face.

Now that the rains have started, it’s time to think about repairing the damage and enjoying some well-earned pampering.

Bleaching cream, chemical peel, lightening agent injection and lasers can do much to minimise or lighten the appearance of blotchy skin. The good news for those who are seeking a gentler and more wallet-friendly approach to the problem is the totally non-invasive cooling treatment known as the Ice Brightening Programme. The procedure involves no lasers but cool mesoporation combined with light therapy. The Ice Brightening Programme is a needle–free injector that uses safe pulses of electricity to create temporary pores that allow for vitamins and lightening agents to be transferred directly and deeply into the inner skin. The technique increases the absorption of vitamins and drugs, leaves no swelling or bruising, and is pain-free. The vitamins and drugs will also inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase, which is responsible for converting tyrosine into melanin, hence less melanin is produced. This process helps fade the dark spots and brightens skin tone.

The device is also equipped with a cooling treatment hand piece that’s applied to the skin to soothe it. The cooling system helps maintain and stabilise vitamin quality, thus enhancing the efficiency of the lightening effect. At the same time, the device delivers a specific wavelength of light to target the melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, eventually stopping them from creating excessive pigments and bringing a youthful glow to the face.

To achieve a significantly more even skin tone, a series of treatments – twice a week for about a month – is advised. To maintain a radiant complexion, daily use of sunscreen is recommended to protect skin when you go out in the sun, especially between 11am and 3pm.

Satinbacked linen is sophisticated and naturally raw while contrasting front and back panels on tops and dresses add an element of surprise. DVF’s woman is at once provocative yet playful, intentional yet impulsive.

Textures add depth to expressive surface prints and screenprinted paillettes, handbeading and jacquards bring a new dimension to the clothes. Separates become increasingly prominent with flared and stovepipe pants, woven polo shirts and pencil skirts that skim the knee suggesting a true indie spirit.

Lightness and transparency prevail. Delicate webbed lace dresses in dusky pastels and gauzy, airy knitwear in vibrant hues are resoundingly feminine. Easy layering implies a sense of eccentricity, freedom and confidence. Crisp, floralprinted cotton poplin and gingham signal an optimistic summer.

The collection is now available at the Diane von Furstenberg shops at Central Chidlom, Paragon Department Store and the EmQuartier.

The event, which will be open from 10am to 5pm, will see special discounts of 70 per cent across all premium product categories including clothing for men, women and kids, bags, shoes, scarves and fashion accessories, as well as fabrics and home furnishings.

Shoppers will also find a wide selection of farm products, organic fruits and vegetables from Jim Thompson farm alongside quality processed products including products made from mulberry leaf and fruit, processed bananas, as well as honey from longan nectar. For convenience, Jim Thompson shuttle buses will run between Exit 1 of BTS Bangna Station to the event hall.

Find out more by calling (02) 762 2600 or visit http://www.JimThompson.com.

The tiedyed material was created using traditional techniques to resemble a bolt of lightning. Each piece is handsewn and the bleeding of colours is achieved by degrees of dye penetration.

The Baked Stretch series, conceived from the image of a rainbow in the sky, uses seven coloured plates to express rich and rhythmical hues. The fabric shrinks and stretches each time the wearer moves, promoting waves of happiness around her. Steaming and stretching with a dynamic form that employs doublelayered frames makes the fabric half the usual thickness and this light, soft textile then produces outstanding colours.

The yarndyed series featuring a variety of stripes is woven using the natural fibres of linen and wool, as well as polyester. The distinctive texture, with a rough, uneven surface, creates a simple yet modern image. Some items can be arranged in two different ways.

Check out the Issey Miyake PreAutumn collection at Siam Discovery.

The new wellbeing packages offer healthy meals, healthy drinks and a stress-reducing, 60-minute massage. Suan Bua, the hotel’s Thai restaurant, features grilled tofu in tamarind sauce and the Vietnamese outlet Le Danang has a grilled salmon with herb sauce and Vietnamese dumplings. Hagi Japanese restaurant adds a mixed green and seaweed salad with ponzu dressing in each of its sets. The drink options feature such healthy ingredients as apple, lemon, dragon fruit and carrots.

The total-immersion package is available from now until July 31. Prices start at Bt 1,765 net for the Vietnamese set menu plus a 60-minute royal foot massage, Bt1,825 net for a traditional Thai set menu plus a 60-minute Thai massage and Bt2,000 net for Japanese set menu plus a selection of oil body massages, also lasting an hour.

Book a place at (02) 541 1234 extension 4151 or e-mail fb_office@chr.co.th.

. The device , known as the Handy, is provided to every villa to keep guests connected, informed and entertained 24 hours a day, both while relaxing at the resort as well as when they are out and about exploring the sights of Hua Hin.

“The handy smartphone started as a bold idea to solve a travel problem but is now completely reshaping the tourism landscape,” says Terence Kwok, founder and CEO of Tink Labs. “The Handy, with its free mobile connectivity and indispensable city guide, is now the must-have amenity for all international travellers.”

The Handy device comes with unlimited 3G data connectivity and a WiFi tethering capability to other mobile devices, such as laptops and tablets, and also has pre-installed popular social media apps like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It offers unlimited local and international calls to Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“Handy’s partnership with V Villas Hua Hin, MGallery by Sofitel marks a tremendous leap forward in establishing our global presence and is testament to the importance of complete mobile connectivity in today’s tourism,” Kwok adds. “Our services will be an extremely valuable asset for expanding the hospitality footprint of V Villas Hua Hin.”

Guests can ensure that the browsing history of their handy, all personal information as well as any additional apps will be removed when the device is reset upon check-out.

The idea is to encourage business travellers to experience their off-work hours – the “5 to 9” – with as much vigour as they invest in their “9 to 5”. On the Global Day of Discovery, the spotlight shines on hidden gems around the globe that give neighbourhoods their soul, from underground art scenes to fantastic local cuisine.

In Thailand visiting businesspeople might get out and see some muay thai boxing, which is steeped in culture as well as myths. The Renaissance Bangkok will host “The Epic Journey of Muay Thai”, a live performance chronicling the sport’s rich history, and other activities allowing guests to discover mesmerising Thai culture.

The hotel will create a locally inspired immersive boxing event – with more glamour and less turbulence – complete with an imaginative play.

For the full line-up of activities, visit http://www.RenHotels.com/events.

There’ll be a Learning Forum on the ground floor at 1.30pm with the theme “We are a #RainbowFamily”. Panel discussions on LGBTI rights and protections, recent research, and LGBTI family life in Thailand are planned. One session will feature the mother of a transgender mother, a transgender youth, and the daughter of lesbian.

A photo exhibition opening at 4.30pm just outside the centre will examine LGBTI family and community life and will be augmented by performances, addresses by Pitikan Sithidej of the Justice Ministry and Canadian Ambassador Donica Pottle, and a celebrity “chat show” with Channel 3 presenter Meesuk “Kai” Changmeesuk.

Displays in lights and rainbow flags will reflect the “brighter tomorrows” that all participants are working to achieve for Thailand’s LGBTI community.

Learn more at www.IDAHOTThailand.org and its Twitter, Facebook and Instagram feeds.

The rainy season appears to have arrived early this year and Dr Methipot Chatameteekul, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Communicable Disease Control Division admits to being worried. Rain can increase the risks of an epidemic of the Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) virus and even though the public has learnt that a “common” fever can lead to death, as occurred in the case of TV actor Trisdee “Por” Sahawong last year, there is still a need to raise awareness about dengue fever.

Dr Methipot is also worried that the number of cases will be higher than last year. “The disease goes in a cycle with major outbreaks occurring every two or three years. In 2015, we saw 50 new patients every day in each district. I am concerned that we will see a severe outbreak but hope it won’t be as severe as that of 2015,” he says.

The most recent report by the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Disease Control reports that as of May 9, 9,717 cases had been registered and 14 individuals had died.

The latest campaign organised by the BMA last weekend adopted a new approach to awareness raising. Rather than handing out leaflets and conducting a massive fumigation programme, the Administration organised three days of activities at CentralWorld on the theme “Fighting against Dengue”. They included illustrating dengue fever through art, workshops and interactive activities, allowing people to have fun while learning and also listen to celebrities who have experience with the virus.

“We are still conducting the other campaign but this year we wanted to try a new approach. Talking about disease or infection is often too rooted in scientific knowledge, so integrating art and entertainment should reach a wider public,” Dr Methipot says.

One of the celebrities sharing her experience was Por’s widow, Vanda.

“I was like everyone else when he developed a fever, thinking that it was just a fever and he would recover in days. I was completely wrong. I hope everyone realises just how dangerous this disease is because once it takes hold, it will inevitably affect our lives and our families forever. I don’t want any family to face a tragic loss. If only we learn how deadly the fever can be and learning to protect ourselves, our families will not be at risk. Don’t think ‘it won’t happen to me’; we all face the same risk. You can prevent yourself by cleaning your house, getting rid of still water and avoiding being bitten by mosquitoes,” says Vanda.

Por was infected with dengue virus and in a critical condition for more than two months. The doctors tried to stem the infection by amputating his foot but he finally succumbed to the disease in January last year.

The best prevention is simple: don’t let yourself get bitten by mosquitoes. But that’s not easy in a country where mosquitoes are everywhere. The mosquito lives in urban habitats and breeds mostly in man-made containers filled with still waters. It’s important to empty water from places where mosquitoes breed such as unused utensils, trash cans and flower pots. Other preventive measures include wearing long pants and long-sleeve shirts or using a mosquito repellent containing DEET when visiting places where dengue is endemic. Avoid areas with standing water and stay indoors in the morning until two hours after sunrise and at sunset to further reduce your risk of being bitten.

Dr Methipot notes that in residential areas where trees surround the houses, water is commonly found in flower pot saucers and it is here that mosquitoes love to breed.

The residents usually have maids taking care of the house, many of them migrant workers who have even less knowledge than the house owner.

Dengue fever was first identified in Thailand more than 50 years ago, first in Bangkok before spreading throughout the country. In the last 50 years, dengue has become endemic in 128 countries that are home to some 4 billion people About 75 per cent of the infection occurs in Asia, and most of it in Southeast Asia. According to WHO, more than 740 people around the world are infected by dengue every minute.

Professor Usa Thisyakorn, professor of paediatrics at Chulalongkorn University and the president of the Asian Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases, says that in the early years, dengue fever mainly affected children. Today it is attacking people of ages.

Dengue virus is transmitted by female mosquitoes mainly of the Aedes aegypti species, better known in Thai as yung laai. They are most active in the daytime.

Dengue is widespread throughout the tropics, with variations in risk influenced by rainfall, temperature and unplanned rapid urbanisation. According to Dr Methipot, the epidemic in Bangkok tends to soar from August to October. The latest severe epidemic was 2015 where Thailand reported 142,925 cases and 104 deaths.

Symptoms starts with a high fever (about 40 degrees C) that persists for two to seven days and is accompanied by any two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rash. There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. Treatment is directed at relieving signs and symptoms.

The dengue fever vaccine was approved by the Thai Food and Drugs Administration late last year and is now available at selected hospitals. However, it is out of reach for many Thais as the cost is more than Bt10,000 for the three injections. Efficacy is around 65.6 per cent and is most viable for those aged nine to 45 years.

Dr Usa says that the age range is based on efficacy studies and that some countries are recommending the vaccine for people up to 65 years.

She cites as an example the tuberculosis vaccine, Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG). It has been used for decades and even though its efficacy is only 50 per cent effective, it’s still worth using.

The new vaccine is expected to protect against the four dengue strains found in Thailand, but Dr Methipot fears that it will almost inevitably make people careless.

“There will be people who think that now that there is a dengue fever vaccine, there’s no need to worry and take preventive measures. They don’t even go to get the vaccination so activities to raise awareness are still very much needed,” says Dr Methipot.