THAI HAUTE-COUTURE label Maison Sirivannavari took its elegant designs to Milan for the first time earlier this month, opening a pop-up store that will remain in business until June 14. Located on the fourth floor of La Rinascente department store, which is owned and operated by Thailand’s Central Group, the boutique is offering a selection of pieces from Sirivannavari’s Spring-Summer 2016 collection. This takes its cues from art history, borrowing aesthetics from Romanticism and Impressionism, “with a touch of Versailles”.

Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, the label’s creative director, said she started this collection by sketching a picture at the Chateau de Versailles.

“I sat on the bench and breathed in the ambience including Petite Trianon, les jardins de Versailles and le bassin d’Appllon. This collection is influenced by the art of Romanticism and Impressionism particularly the works of the legendary artists like Monet and Renoir.

“Pattern and silhouettes are crucial. The ‘Tulip’ pattern is the signature of my creations for this collection. Fundamentally, the pattern is the most significant element of dressmaking. That’s why I prioritise pattern making,” the Princess says.

The collection starts from the stunning structures and silhouettes such as the tulip dress, the rounded-shoulder jacket with the geometric pattern, the tunic dress with asymmetrical drapery at the bodyline and the deconstructed jacket. In addition, the spotlight shines on the magnificent embroidery that includes crystal beads, 3D flowers, gooseberries and a gold-thread embellished peacock crest.

Graphic prints, very much at the heart of the brand’s DNA since its debut in 2005, are once again the highlight.

The Princess created the prints by modernising her own acrylic paintings. The signature print of the season is hummingbirds in a botanical garden.

 

FASHION RETAIL is experiencing a seismic shift: the audience is global, seasons are increasingly irrelevant and the rise of social media means consumers don’t want to wait for runway styles.

Designer Dion Lee, the breakthrough star of Australian fashion who has worked with Kanye West and whose clothes are worn by the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and Cate Blanchett, understands such challenges better than most.

Lee launched his brand in Sydney – which has opposing seasons to the fashion capitals of Europe and North America.

“We’re obviously very conscious of the seasonality differences between Australia and the northern hemisphere so that’s something that… we design into,” the 30-year-old says.

“I think the geography is a challenge. It is not a challenge that is insurmountable,” adds Lee.

One of his solutions is to ensure his collections – known for their precision lines, fine tailoring and sculptural forms – have a core that does not change regardless of the time of year.

He is not alone – British design house Burberry recently announced it will switch to ‘seasonless’ collections, with items suitable for wear year-round available at its outlets worldwide soon after they appear on the fashion week runways.

The rise of online shopping and social media has meant fashion is having to adapt away from the traditional seasonal approach, where consumers wait months to buy trends from the catwalk.

Lee says: “There’s been a global conversation I suppose about the relevance of seasons and how the model has really changed and is starting to evolve with the rise of online being so prevalent and e-commerce being a large part of our business.”

“I think that it does break down that notion of seasonality because it’s always one season somewhere in the world. You have designers that are selling swimwear 12 months of the year,” he adds.

This approach – and the fact his clothes are available on internationally lauded fashion sites such as net-a-porter.com has boosted his global profile.

Sales in North America – Lee’s biggest foreign market accounting for 35 per cent of wholesale – are expected to be up 90 per cent in the year to June 30. Asia is also a growing market although currently only accounts for 16 per cent of total wholesale sales.

Lee is fresh from Fashion Week Australia, a showcase of the country’s best designers which this year centred on ‘resort’ wear – a focus that saw bikinis and bright, billowing prints hit the runways at events attended by local retailers and international buyers.

Held on a rooftop overlooking Sydney, Lee’s collection showed another side of fashion and featured sharp-edged suit jackets and full, structured skirts, prompting Vogue Australia to praise his “urban inflected shapes and sharps and those clever twists and turns in his tailoring”.

The magazine’s editor-in-chief Edwina McCann, says Lee’s aesthetic appeals to young, urban customers the world over.

“I think in the modern world it doesn’t really matter as much where a designer actually comes from,” she says.

“And Dion – and I think many of our designers are benefitting from that now – that their clothes are appealing to a certain customer who is global rather than national.”

He launched his brand of wearable womenswear in 2008 soon after leaving design school, a move he now jokes was “slightly naive, slightly stupid”.

“Some of my early shows in Sydney were really impactful in terms of establishing the international profile for the brand,” he says.

He has a fiercely loyal following in Australia and has built up a reputation in New York and London – even attracting the attention of Kanye West. The singer reportedly went on to design some shoes for Lee’s UK runway show in 2012.

Lee says seeing stars such as Blanchett, Lawrence, and singer Selena Gomez wearing his clothes is “surreal… especially when it’s people that you really respect”.

“But it’s also seeing people that aren’t famous wear your clothes that you have respect for,” he adds. “I think there’s something really nice about seeing women feel empowered when wearing your clothes.”

American Vogue said he had “come of age as a New York fashion designer” in a review of his February show during the city’s prestigious fashion week. He will return there this week for another showcase and spends much of his time in the city, but Lee still sees himself as an Australian designer.

“Growing up here, going to college here and spending the first years of my career here, I think that has definitely had an influence on how I’ve developed the aesthetic for the brand.”

 

WHETHER YOU’RE dressing for a day at the office or a night out, Swarovski will help you sparkle this summer with a new collection inspired by shimmering shades of turquoise, aquamarine and bold pink that reflect the ocean and dramatic hues and shapes that emulate aquatic flora.

In Bangkok recently to introduce the new collection, Robert Buchbauer, chief executive of Swarovski’s Consumer Goods Business, spoke enthusiastically of the expansion of the brand’s jewellery categories and the incorporation of the Daniel Swarovski couture line.

“A lot of our pieces are suitable for both day and night. And I am delighted that the couture pieces are now part of our collection,” he told XP.

Founded in 1895 in Austria and now run by the fifth generation of family members, Swarovski Crystal Business has a global reach with approximately 2,480 stores in 170 countries. Together with its sister companies Swarovski Optik, which manufactures optical devices and Tyrolit, which focuses on bonded abrasives, Swarovski Crystal Business forms the Swarovski Group. In 2013, the Group generated revenue of about 3.02 billion euros (Bt120.4 billion) and had some 30,000 people in its employ.

Buchbauer, who is the great-great-grandson of Daniel Swarovski, notes that the brand is constantly evolving in terms of design yet never abandons its core principles. “At our core is the ability to fashion any kind of facet while making the crystals sparking and unique. We design new products around that principle and thanks to modern technology, we are constantly introducing new colour schemes. Today, we can do more than 100 colours, which is a very wide spectrum. Moreover, our clear crystals are now lead free. We have been working on that for a long time. It’s a huge challenge for our engineers to come up with new solutions while ensuring the same beautiful colours and effect.”

Swarovski produces two seasonal collections a year along with a range of designs for special occasional such as Valentine’s Day or Christmas. Boasting a sophisticated and feminine elegance, the new collection and uses bold colours, geometric shapes and coral-like contours for the starfish, seahorse-inspired curls and shellfish shapes that all feature heavily.

The daring Eminence necklace features stacked crystals, set using the state-of-the-art pointiage technique for maximum impact, and slim baguette crystals for a contemporary look. The Stardust and Slake bangles can be stacked together to create a whirl of colour or worn individually to add sparkle to any outfit. The Slake Dot is also a key feature of the bracelet, a crystal cut in a new and unique way for a truly dazzling effect.

The classic Cupid pendant, featuring crystals set in a pave format against a soft rose gold backdrop, remains a firm favourite.

“Our watch category, which we introduced seven years ago, has grown considerably to the point where we are now calling it a success. We are intensifying our efforts in coming up a ball pen and are further exploring the device category. We already have activity bracelets for both men and women that help track everything you do, the number of steps you take, and at the end of the day tell you if you exercise enough or not,” Buchbauer says.

Swarovski is today recognised the world over for delivering a diverse portfolio of unmatched quality, craftsmanship and creativity that goes beyond the manufacturing of crystal. To illustrate the multi-faceted glamour and variety of its designs, Swarovski (Thailand) has chosen actress Praya Lundberg as its first “Friend of Swarovski” in Southeast Asia. Model Miranda Kerr continues to represent the brand globally.

One of the biggest challenges, Buchbauer says, is to keep the brand alive and this requires focus. “We have to be careful not to do too many things at the same time especially since the constant evolution of technology makes so much possible. It’s hard to keep the focus, so one of my tasks is to ensure people in the organisation concentrate on just a few important things. And while it’s great to have endless possibilities, we need to make the right choices from year |to year to please the consumers,” |he concludes.

 

FRENCH LUXURY leather goods maker Longchamp recently celebrated the opening of its flagship store at upmarket mall EmQuartier with a philanthropic gesture – a specially designed Le Pliage Heritage Tricolore Thailand bag that was auctioned off to raise funds for the Thailand Heart Foundation under Royal Patronage.

“I felt it was the best way to honour Bangkok as I know Thai ladies are very sensitive to the quality of our products,” said Sophie Delafontaine, Longchamps artistic director and the granddaughter of its founder, who flew in especially for the occasion together with brand ambassador, top model Alexa Chung.

“For Bangkok, I wanted something very feminine and elegant so I chose orange pink and pastel pink enhanced by gold buttons and a little Swarovski crystal,” she added.

The auction, which was held as part of the opening event, saw anti-ageing specialist Dr Puttipong Poomsuwan snap up the prize for Bt250,000 as a present for his wife.

“We are very please to support this foundation because it is something we also do in France, Delafontaine explained.

“I’m very proud of the grand opening and really excited to observe the dynamism of this fashion city . I think it is a huge statement for Longchamp to open the flagship store here. It represents the new lifestyle of Longchamp.

“Thai women demand quality so I know we will continue to do well here. Longchamp loves to play with a lot of colours and that’s what I start with when I come up with a new collection.”

Chung too was delighted at the reception the new store received. Now in her sixth consecutive season as the brand’s ambassador, she often joins Delafontaine on her trips abroad and the two have become good friends. “I’m a huge fan of France as well as the brand, which is incredibly modern, up to date and relevant to every international fashion arena. Sophie and I are both passionate about fashion. We also have a similar appreciation for art, culture and travelling,” she said.

The English fashion model, television presenter, and contributing editor at British Vogue does however sport a different look for the 2016 campaign, .

“It’s my hair,” she laughed, pointing to her head. “As I’ve moved from my 20s to my 30s my style has developed and that’s reflected through the Longchamp collections as well. Shooting the ad campaign in all these amazing places has been an education. I always learn a lot with Longchamp. It’s been |lovely.”

The best part, Chung said with a grin, is annoying her |ex-boyfriend by having her face beaming out at him all around the world.

“I travel a lot and it is weird when I’m in an airport or on a street in Paris or New York and see my poster on the billboard. It’s huge!”

Her favourite bag, she says, is Le Pliage Heritage Hobo. “It a classic shape in beautiful leather. My favourite is the brown and black, and the strap is perfect. It suits more subtle situations and for the way I travel and work, it’s a really cool bag.”

She defines the brand in just three words: “Chic”, “International”, and “Optimistic”.

“One of the main things about having good style, is knowing yourself very well,” she said. “I admire women and men who express themselves through clothing.

“It doesn’t have to be expensive or crazy. It can be anything providing it rings true. Someone who looks amazing is confident and happy to express him or herself. I’m very lucky that Longchamp wants me as its brand ambassador. ”

The guests at the launch were lucky enough to enjoy a sneak preview of the ad campaign for autumn 2016, which introduces a new range of luxury leather bags modelled by Chung, all of them reflecting the true Parisian style of Longchamp.

 

FIRST CAME US President Barack Obama and the Rolling Stones. And on Tuesday – yesterday Bangkok time – global fashion’s glitterati, including supermodel Gisele Bundchen, descended on Cuba for Chanel’s runway show extravaganza.

Chanel became the first major fashion house to send models down the catwalk in Cuba, highlighting warming relations with the West. The exclusive show was also a reminder of new inequalities on the communist-ruled island.

Karl Lagerfeld, who has been at Chanel’s creative helm since 1983, said his latest inter-seasonal cruise collection was inspired by the “cultural richness and opening up of Cuba”.

Former Cold War foes, the US and Cuba formally agreed to restore diplomatic relations last July. Cuba has since improved relations with other Western nations.

Chanel fashion chief Bruno Pavlovsky said the label was uncertain at first if it could hold the show, but Cuban authorities had been “very welcoming and helpful”.

Some Cubans have been critical. Chanel goods are not sold there and few people could even dream of affording them, given that even a small handbag costs thousands of dollars. About 70 per cent of Cuban workers are in the pay of the state, with an average salary of $25 per month.

Pavlovsky said it was too early for Chanel, which has fewer than 200 boutiques worldwide, to set up shop in Cuba.

“This is an event for very few people,” said university student Heidi Lopez, 23. “We can’t enjoy it, and even less aspire to buy any product.”

Others say the show is giving their dreams wings to fly. “Chanel is very good quality and also very expensive,” said Marilia Veliz, 44, an accountant and fashion lover who had sewn details like a satin bow onto her brown and cream work uniform.

“Just because I can’t afford it doesn’t mean I want to deny others that luxury. And who knows, maybe one day. It’s important to dream!”

Cuba is fast becoming one of the world’s most fashionable destinations, as tourists and the style-elite seek to savour faded glamour and Caribbean flair before it changes too much.

“Hola Cuba!” Bundchen posted Instagram on Monday, posting a photo of a Havana park that received around 110,000 “likes”.

By showcasing its cruise collection in Cuba, Chanel said it was harking back to the roots of the line originally designed for wealthy Americans holidaying on yachts and cruises in the Caribbean to escape the winter grey.

US cruises to Cuba were forbidden during the country’s stand-off with the United States. On Monday the first US cruise ship to sail to the island since Fidel Castro’s revolution was greeted by cheering local residents.

Lagerfeld, 82, is known for his lavish show sets and in the past has created a mock casino, supermarket and brasserie.

Secrecy shrouded the preparations for his runway in the Paseo del Prado, a leafy promenade. Built in Cuba’s golden era, when it was a wealthy port, colonial colonnades and elegant Art Deco buildings on either side of the boulevard are now in various states of disrepair, although some are being renovated.

The Rolling Stones played a concert in Havana last month following President Obama’s visit. A Hollywood film crew has meanwhile been shooting the latest “Fast and Furious” action movie in the city.

“I think that catwalk is going to be more for Chanel than for Cuba,” said local clothing designer Idania del Rio, 33. “I don’t know whether the people here in Cuba are ready for this type of product.”

Nevertheless she’s curious. “I want to see what $40,000 clothing looks like!”

Cuba’s best-known living designer, Raul Castillo, is also excited about the Chanel event. “It’s a dream to see the work of a designer like Lagerfeld here in socialist Cuba,” he said.

Foreign brands were not available in Cuba until the 1990s, when the market started to open up gradually. “There is nothing uglier than standardisation,” Cuban author Arturo Arango wrote online. “With standardisation comes apathy and alienation. All that leads fatally to ugliness.”

Cubans had to wear imported second-hand clothes purchased at state-run stores. Authorities called it “recycled clothing”, but ordinary Cubans referred to their trips to the official shops as “rag-shopping”.

With its cabarets and casinos frequented by US film stars and gangsters, pre-revolution Cuba had a thriving fashion scene. Then the end of the Soviet era encouraged a rebirth.

“People here know how to sew. There are lots of good designers and people are looking for ways to buy the clothes they want,” said del Rio. But it’s “a very slow recovery”.

For the older designer, Raul Castillo, Cuban fashion “is going through a good moment”. “We are opening to the world,” he said. “It’s very important that Chanel is coming.”

The future of fashion will depend on if and when US lawmakers end the 54-year trade embargo on Cuba – still in place despite the diplomatic thaw.

“When we become a normal country, without the embargo, we will be leaders of fashion,” Castillo predicted.

 

LET THE scales fall from your eyes…

A French shoe manufacturer is urging fashionistas to take the plunge with what he claims is the world’s first range of trout skin espadrille shoes.

Jean-Jacques Houyou has set out to persuade his compatriots that they should be wearing trout rather than merely eating them with a caper and black butter sauce.

The stack-heeled women’s sandals in seven colours will go on sale in France this summer, selling for around 120 euros (Bt6,000) a pair.

Houyou has sourced salmon trout for the shoes – whose skins he claims are particularly beautiful – from the cold mountain streams of the renowned Banca valley in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the French Basque country.

All come the Goicoechea family’s fish farm, whose trout are prized by gourmets. And although his company is called Don Quichosse – a play on Don Quixote – Houyou insisted he was not tilting at watermills.

He admitted however that making the espadrilles was an “extremely exacting process, the most difficult thing is to find two skins with the same marks which makes each pair so original,” he told AFP.

“Every pair is different because of the material itself,” he said of the handmade shoes which are lined with goat skin.

Houyou has previously made Japanese-style sandals with salmon skin at his small factory in Mauleon, the centre of France’s espadrille industry.

Most of his 10 shoemakers work in their homes turning out 20,000 pairs of espadrilles a year, which traditionally have soles made of jute.

But he has used cork to sole the trout skin shoes, which come with heels in two heights.

Espadrilles, often made of canvas, can trace their lineage back 4,000 years, and are still hugely popular summer shoes.

They are also much more eco-friendly than mass-market footwear, which is difficult, and sometimes almost impossible to recycle.

Several luxury shoe brands have also embraced what they term “fish leather” for their shoes, with the Spanish designer Manolo Blahnik once creating 800-euros-a-pair sandals for an “eco shoes” range.

The Brazilian label Osklen has also had great success with it salmon skin Arpoador sneakers, which sell for $580. It has previously made shoes from the skin of the Amazonian arapaima fish.

Fish skin boots have been worn for thousands of years by Inuit peoples, and fish skin shoes and handbags were common in Germany during World War II when cow leather ran out.

Environmentalists say that that countless tonnes of tannable fish skins are discarded every year because the public still worries wrongly that they might smell fishy.

 

SOONTAREE “Angie” Balek has returned from New York fashion society with her famous brand AB by Angelys Balek New York and last week unveiled her spring-summer collection, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, full of winning outfits for the holidays.

The brand – acclaimed for its stunning painted graphics and distinctive modern designs – earned even more fans with the show at Vivarium by Chef Ministry, where the runway took on the lively rhythms of a beach party.

Among the celebrities sharing gasps of appreciation were Pimpisa Jirathiwat, Pava Nakasai, Raswadee Kuansongtum and Pitcha Thanalongkorn.

The collection’s triple concept – Playful, Smart and Artistic – was reflected in the charming and harmonious combination of art and design. These are definitely clothes that women can wear every day in the confident knowledge that they look modern, hip and fashion-savvy.

The usual trends and rules are ignored in a refreshing use of minimalist patterns. As the name of the collection indicates, the chief inspiration comes straight from Shakespeare’s riveting tale of love and magic afoot in the world. Ideas are also suggested by the animated music video “Pools” by indie rock band Glass Animals, which teeters between the dark and light sides of romance.

Soontaree acknowledged that her intent was to share Shakespeare’s eternal love story through elaborate prints and draw on Glass Animals’ complex retelling of the tale to remind everyone that summer is made for hot passion and warm affection.

The patterns are created in watercolours and collage, lush images of the season when nature teems with bright life and hot and bold colours.

Her bikinis and beach wraps are revealing, the better to glimpse sun-kissed skin, and yet are as elegant as they are comfortable in materials imported from America and Japan.

The fabrics are light and often sheer. Knit forms a stylish crop-top with fine cutting, ideal for mixing and matching. The invitation is to think beyond the boundaries of fashion trends to create your own independent and playful style.

Hats and shoes remain must-have items with that same virtue of mingling |well with other |pieces and styles. Iconic art is recreated in a meticulous |printing process.

AB by Angelys Balek New York is available on the second floor of CentralWorld and in the Qurator Zone on the second floor of the EmQuartier.

 

CLOTHING DESIGNER Pitchana Ekachai has set up shop in the ThaiThai zone at Central Chidlom for her Pitchana brand. And the daughter of public-relations specialist Snidpim Ekachai of Pimplus has achieved the sublime in simplicity with her debut collection, “The Upper East Side”.

Simple yet sophisticated, that is, and it’s an approach reflected in the store itself, where every detail accentuates the appeal of the items on offer.

Lavishly decorated with luxurious materials, metallic silver and mirrors, it has an inviting sofa in grey velvet and a plush grey carpet to match.

Pitchana strives to capture the spirit of the confident and talented woman who’s not afraid to show her sensual femininity. The summer line, “The Upper East Side”, takes its cues from ladies’ modern lifestyles in bubbly New York City.

Think “Sex and the City”, with its quartet of adorably chic stars, and you’re on the right track. Each of them had her own unique personality, but in their choices of clothing they always seemed to embody the essence of New York – that energetic, trendy megalopolis of dreams.

Pitchana designs for the modern, self-confident, stylish working woman, this season proffering, for example, a black, deep-plunging jumpsuit with French lace up top and crepe satin flares below. This is the cocky, forever-fashionable Carrie Bradshaw.

The sexy, independent and free-spirited Samantha Jones can be perceived in a spandex, V-neck, sleeveless tailored top with cut-out detailing at the waist and back, paired with a reflective, pleated pencil skirt.

Sweet Charlotte York, in her wardrobe of classic timelessness, is glimpsed in a strapless flared dress in white and nude-tone French lace. And a one-shoulder lace dress with a crepe satin pencil skirt and hoop details around the waist suggests the cool charm of clever working woman Miranda Hobbes.

Pitchana makes her mark with high-quality fabrics – fine silk satin, chiffon and French lace – and thoughtfully deployed cut-outs rendered with precision at the waistline or shoulder or in a daring front slit.

Immaculate cutting remains a mainstay in her craft, making suits unforgettable, this season updated with a wrap-around pattern and jettisoning the buttons. There’s even a touch of sensuality in another head-spinning cut-out around the waist and back.

Srikanya Sakdidej Bhanubandh was among the celebrities taking in the collection with admiring eyes recently. The brand truly understands a woman’s body, she said, with clothing that compliments every body type and fits perfectly without the need for alterations. She pointed out the French lace white dress, which she said was just the right length and with top-notch cutting techniques.

Pimpisa Chirathivat arrived in a white long-sleeve dress designed by Pitchana. The round-neck number featured see-through lace and a fabric belt with a metallic buckle, for an overall sweet but sexy feel. She felt the dress truly reflected her personality, which she described as innocent and alluring at the same time.

And Ploypayap Srikarnchana wore a monochrome strapless dress by Pitchana. She said she likes black-and-white clothes in shapes that hug her body. She liked this outfit’s sexy design and the classic beauty of black and white lace, which lent a modern and sophisticated look.

FIVE HUNDRED little fashionistas, among them the children of many of Thailand’s best-known celebrities, were back on the catwalk recently showcasing the latest spring and summer designs for the young set at the 2016 edition of Central Kids’ Runway. Organised by Central Chidlom, the event included 32 childrenswear brands, presented in six shows over two days. New brand Little Fox by Sitamon and Jessadaporn “Tik” Pholdee made its catwalk debut in the presence of a celebrity crowd that included the wife and daughter of late actor Tridsadee “Por” Sahawong, Bow Vanda and Mali.

After a special show by the children of D Dance academy directed by Premjit Amnuckmanee, the fashion extravaganza kicked off with the summer collections of brands in the Luxe Kids zone, among them Catimini, Diesel, DKNY, Ikks Junior, Marni, and Trussardi.

Marni’s iconic prints including polka dots, pop colours and structured silhouettes have been a success since 1994 and the Italian brand has not stopped developing its creativity and savoir-faire for the benefit and pleasure of the young and style-conscious. This season, Marni offered short-sleeved t-shirts with a multi stripe pattern and flowers on a white background, along with tees with three-quarter length sleeves covered in vibrant illustrations and boasting a ribbed neckline in navy, grey and yellow stripes and a concealed zipper down the back.

The mini models brought the house down with adorable poses to the sound of photographers’ shutters and loud applause. Bow Vanda and Mali presented the finale drawing loud cheers from the audience.

The highlight was the closing show, which featured the latest collections by Thai brands including Nana Rybena’s Dektay, Paula Taylor’s Paula and Baby, Matina Sukhahuta’s Little Sister, and actor Jessadaporn “Tik” Pholdee and his wife Sitamon’s “Little Fox”.

Joining the fun were Wanmai and the Chatboriraks, child actress Jenna, Nana Rybena and Way Intachai’s twins Bena and Brooklyn, Atichart Chumnanont’s niece Alin, Sirinya Bishop and her family, Jane Janesuda, Woonsen Virithipa, Nat Myria, Aum Atichart, and Aimee Morakot.

Little Fox is inspired by its creators’ love of fashion and passion for dressing up and the couple reasons that kids too are entitled to clothing that express their zest, vibrancy and imagination. The collection draws on British gardens, summer activities, parties with lots of cotton candy and ice-cream and plenty of other things that shout out the fun, playfulness, hopes and dreams of innocent youth.

Little Sister, always a favourite at this event, proudly presented a collection with a sailing adventure theme dubbed “To the Sea We Go!”

Classic travelling essentials were updated with Little Sister’s sailor-inspired twist in the “Pearl Krabs Coat & Hat” and “Pearl Krabs Dress & Bloomers” complete with sailor shirt collar detailing and nautical stripes. Separates and whimsical dresses came in 100-per-cent striped cotton for a natural look that was both comfortable and lightweight. Cotton jerseys ensured style without sacrificing comfort and came covered in exclusively designed patches depicting sailboats, octopuses and mermaids. The outfits were accessorised by shoulder bags in the form of life-savers, octopuses and embellished seashells. Nautical lacing details decorated the “Mermaid Treasure Dress” that came with the quintessential ruffled bloomers, another Little Sister staple.

 

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.