Siam Paragon, Siam Center, The Emporium and Siam Discovery are set to stage the fashion event of the year – the “Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion Week 2008”or BIFW08, under the eco-friendly concept “Fashion for Earth” at a cost of more than 40 million baht. The fashion extravaganza will take place from 20-23 November 2008 at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon.
The four-day event covers 15 shows by renowned Thai designers, new fashion design talents as well as collections from established international designers. With a strong environmental awareness theme, the event will be entitled “Fashion for Earth.”
For photos from all the shows featured at the March 2008 BIFW, click here.
BIFW08 is organized with the cooperation of alliances including CitiBank, Singha Corporation, Ananda Development, Totoya Motor Corporation, Sony Thai Co., Ltd., L’Oréal Professionel, L’Oréal Paris, The Nation Group and Harper’s Bazaar, all keen supporters of Thailand's developing fashion industry.
Chadatip Chutrakul, Chief Executive Officer of Siam Paragon Development Co., Ltd. and Managing Director of Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., said that this special fashion event has been organized with the collaboration of Siam Paragon, Siam Center, The Emporium and Siam Discovery whose aim to promote the Thai fashion industry and to drive Bangkok as one of the region’s leading fashion city. Siam Paragon today is itself recognized as a fashion focal point while Siam Center has been known as the home and showcase for the remarkable talents of established and young Thai designers for more than 30 years.
Leading Thai fashion brands who will showcase their latest collections in BIFW08 include Flynow and Senada and renowned brands 27 Nov., Asava with inspiration from Cyber-shot, Inspired by Inner Complexity for Singha, Kloset Red Carpet by Ideo, KUNITAR & 8E88 meets TOYOTA, MUSE by Good Mixer, Tube Gallery by L’Oréal Paris and Yoswadee. Two newcomers Singha Life and COTTON CHITRALADA by CIDI will unveil their very first collections. The show also welcomes new designers from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Srinakharinwirot University under the Singha presents FASH by Srinakharinwirot University brand. The latest collections of inner wear available at Lingerie Salon in Paragon Department Store will be presented by Secret Passion by Lingerie Salon. Renowned Malaysian designer Daniel Chong will also present his latest “The Red Shoes” collection.
Kriengsak Tantiphipop, Chief Executive Marketing Officer of Siam Paragon Development Co., Ltd. and Senior Managing Director of The Emporium Shopping Complex Co., Ltd. said, “The event is our effort to raise environmental awareness through fashion. The designers are encouraged use local-made natural fabric from The Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand and eco-friendly materials in their collections. We hope that the BIFW08 will be an effective channel to turn environmental concern into a fashion trend. BIFW8 also serves as a major platform for designers to showcase their work and represents our continuous support of Thailand's fashion industry.
“Themed “Fashion for Earth,” the BIFW08 represents fashion that is eco-friendly. The theme also reflects the environmental-friendly design of the Grand Runway at Parc Paragon,” added Kriengsak.
Launching the "Get Tested, Live Longer" HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign
New public awareness campaign proclaims, "The absolute latest fashion is to know your HIV status." In his role as a credentialed journalist covering Bangkok International Fashion Week as he does twice yearly, NotesFromThailand.com publisher Nicholas Snow is making a major fashion statement from the grandstands and between catwalk shows, mingling with people who have known him or of him for years, with the debut of his new t-shirt design marking the launch of the "Get Tested, Live Longer" HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign. Beginning with the first day of BIFW (Nov. 20, 2008) Snow is wearing his design on a black T-shirt as seen below.
Snow believes it is particularly poignant to launch the "Get Tested, Live Longer" campaign at one of Asia's leading fashion events presented by an industry chocked full of gay and bisexual men, as well as the men and women who love them. Collectively, the industry has a powerful influence on culture as a whole, so the ripple effect of such a statement could be enormous. In addition, Snow's project has been inspired by the Thai fashion industry, in particular by a recent t-shirt the local fashion guild designed to promote safer sex. Snow is coming out as an HIV positive person in the midst of this crowd to be of service to all of them.
The graphic message begins with "You now know you know someone who is HIV Positive." Snow is making such a dramatic statement because of the invisibility of openly-HIV positive people in Asia and the need for people to know that they know people who are, in fact, HIV positive. This serves the two-fold purpose of getting people to take HIV seriously enough to learn their HIV status, and to challenge the social and cultural stigmas facing people living with HIV/AIDS. Unfortunately, the majority of people in Asia who are HIV positive first learn of their status when they become ill. A person who learns their HIV positive status early after infection (because of regular voluntary testing rather than illness) has the ability to then monitor with their healthcare providers CD-4 (T-cells) and viral load counts so they may begin a regime of medications when indicated (to keep them healthy!), thereby dramatically increasing their chances of living a much longer, much healthier life.
Snow also believes that anyone concerned enough about their HIV status to seek out a test who subsequently learns they are in fact HIV negative can be educated and counseled as part of the process of empowering them to remain HIV negative. After decades of adhering to safer sex practices, Snow became HIV positive in August of 2007 because he failed to use a condom, not for good reasons, but for "human reasons" he says, including the fact that he was depressed and seeking comfort in sex; was with a partner who stated and believed he was HIV negative; had a false sense of security about remaining negative since he had been negative for so long as a sexually active adult; and finally, was unaware that the rate of HIV infection among men who have sex with men in Bangkok exceeds 30%.
The "Get Tested, Live Longer" campaign is now also a part of Snow's NotesFromTheWorld.com family of web sites, allowing him to the extend the campaign with the approximate 1.8 million page views his sites get each year. In addition, Snow's YouTube channel receives between 400 and 500 views a day on average, and he is extending the campaign to his YouTube audience using their new pop-up bubble-text feature. The campaign messages will be put in place on all Snow's YouTube videos over the coming weeks (www.YouTube.com/NicholasSnow, www.YouTube.com/ActionEqualsLife).
Even if no other media outlets or organizations jump on the campaign bandwagon or report his activities, Snow will reach tens of thousands of people every month with his existing media platform. The campaign directs people to ActionEqualsLife.com.
In a previous interview with Sylvia Tan, editor of Fridae.com, Snow explained, "It is my hope that ActionEqualsLife.com will bring people from all walks of life together who share the common goals of creating HIV/AIDS Awareness; supporting the worldwide fight for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people; and supporting human rights in general. I specifically hope that any official group, NGO, etc. will create a presence at the site and use it as an extension of their outreach, and that people from all walks of life will interact to share their experience, strength and hope about these issues. If we meet friends and lovers along the way, fabulous! Most importantly, I want people to go the web site right now and input information about anonymous, confidential, affordable HIV testing opportunities that exist in their communities."
Video: Nicholas Snow Discusses the "Get Tested, Live Longer" HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign
At ActionEqualsLife.com, Snow has also created a Speaker's Bureau of HIV Positive People so that anyone anywhere who is HIV positive and willing to share their story with the public, the media, and their community, may register and make themselves known. Snow is quick to acknowledge that is is not easy for one to be public about being HIV positive, and maintains his respect for anyone who chooses not to disclose their status (In many parts of the world anyone coming out publicly as being HIV positive could face dire circumstances). However, he also looks forward to the speaker's bureau having more than one member, himself.
Making History in Thailand P.P. Pratak Simapichaichath Service project Director, Mr Nicholas Snow of Action Equals Life, Rotary of Bangkapi President Park Sun-Ho, Rtn Karin Lohitnavy Public Relations Director and Rtn Sukit Tanthuwanit Program Chairman. Nicholas Snow addressed the Rotary of Bangkapi Club on October 7, 2008, at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, as a person living openly with HIV. This was the first time anyone in attendance had ever heard someone say in a public forum, "I am HIV positive."
While some people believe Snow's t-shirt will create a buzz at BIFW, Snow himself is more interested with the messages he can communicate on the sky train, subway, in restaurants and clubs, and so forth, by simply wearing the t-shirt in his every day life (when t-shirts are appropriate wardrobe for the occasion), which he will do on most days from this point on. Snow became one of the most visible openly-HIV positive people in Asia in early October with the launch of ActionEqualsLife.com and a coordinated outreach to media including a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand.
Some people have accused Snow of exploiting his HIV for his own fame, but he maintains that while he has the desire to reach millions of people as a self-appointed Global Ambassador for HIV/AIDS Awareness, he felt compelled to tell his story to the hundreds of thousands of people he already reaches every year as a media personality. One of his goals has been to reach those consumers of media he already appears in, and he has accomplished this goal on numerous occasions.
Snow's story has been reported in Spice! Magazine, Prestige Magazine, The Bangkok Post, the Nation, at Fridae.com, on all of his own web sites, and on the internationally syndicated TV show Morning Talk. The campaign is set to be referenced as part of Snow's contributing writer biography in 2 Magazine, and in the November issue of Prestige Magazine, Snow is included on the celebrity spotlight page along with Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Helen Mirren. Karin Frick Lohitnavy and Kittima Sethi from Bangkok-based Midas Public Relations have been championing Snow's coming out HIV positive P.R. effort on his behalf.
Concerned whether or not coming out HIV positive would adversely affect his ability to earn a living, unrelated to his announcement, Snow has since received additional freelance writing assignments, has been cast in his largest motion picture acting role to date, and his commercial web sites (covering the world of travel and entertainment) continue to grow. Snow also continues to present on occasion for Capital TV, the producers of Destination Thailand, Pattaya Plus, and Phuket Plus.
Snow was reminded recently that in the last year he was so depressed that he researched on the internet painless ways to end his own life. Instead, he has chosen to live large and make every moment count. While the criticism of his self-promotional ways does hurt at times, Snow feels blessed that he has a unique set of circumstances that allow him to carry his message to a broad international audience, to the community in which he lives, to the hundreds of people who email him, and now, to anyone who he randomly encounters while making his own bold fashion statement.
Imagine seeing someone on the sky train, subway, or at the mall wearing this design on a t-shirt.For a high-resolution version of this graphic for use by media, click here.
Supermodels, light and sound will add to the atmosphere while the Hall of Fame on the M Floor, will be turned into a chic Bazaar Bar by Singha where its Free-flow Signature Drinks by Singha are available to visitors.
Fashionistas will be indulged with the “Winter Festival Sale,” a promotion offered by CitiBank, Citi M Visa, Diners Club and super brands in the four fashion centres from 20 November 2008 – 04 January 2009. Fashion lovers will enjoy up to 40% discount at participating shops and receive special privileges.
“The event is driven by our determination to continually support the Thai fashion industry’s development and to give opportunities for Thai designers in the international arena. Another aim is to promote the Thai fashion industry and Bangkok to become a recognized regional fashion hub and to lift the standard of Thai designers to the international level. We also aim to use this opportunity to build Thai brands to be internationally accepted over the long term while supporting opportunities for young designers to develop their skill, raise their brand recognition and find markets,” concluded Kriengsak.
“Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion Week 2008” can be experienced from 20-23 November 2008 at Siam Paragon. Tickets for each show can be obtained at the registration counter at Hall of Fame, M Floor, Siam Paragon 30 minutes prior to the start of each show.
DESIGNER LINE-UP
Asava with Inspiration from Cyber Shot
Designer:
Polpat Asavaprapha
Collection:
The Downtown Aristocrats
For winter 2008 collection, Asava maintains its minimal style with elegant details, fine fabric and silhouette. The combination of colors and fabrics emphasizes the look of urban women. The inspiration is taken from the 60s and 70s silhouette. The look of stylish New York women on the Upper East Side combines with that of their more practical counterparts to create the “The Downtown Aristocrats” collection – representing the modern traditional women but fully embracing contemporary culture.
The collection uses different shades of grey, beige, black and white. Chocolate brown and olive green are added for effect while dark red, lemon yellow and blue add vibrancy to the collection. Selections of natural fabric and fine silk such as duchess satin, organza, silk satin, Thai silk, cotton, and silk cotton are used. Evening dresses are created with fine Italian jersey silk to give a modern and delicate touch.
Asava’s first collection was launched at the Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion week 2008 in March 2008.
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COTTON CHITRALADA BY CIDI
Designer:
Nattawat Sivara
Collection:
Fairy Tale
The 70s-inspired silhouette are adapted to today shape for practical everyday wear. Special techniques like contour are used to create beautiful prints. The entire collection uses hand-woven cotton from Chitralada with a mixture of other natural fabrics.
Chitralada shop is a project initiated in December 2550 under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen. The project is an effort to preserve traditional Thai arts and crafts. The proceeds from the sale of Chitralada products are given to support the local communities where the products are originated.
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CitiBank presents Romanticism of The Red Shoes by Daniel Chong
Designer:
Daniel Chong
Inspired by the movie ‘The Red Shoes’, Daniel Chong has created a romantic collection inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s tragic fairy tale that tells of a young woman’s love for a pair of red shoes that kept her dancing. For Daniel Chong, fashion serves as a release from the humdrum of everyday life. Part fantasy, part romance, Daniel sees it as an art form. Turning what seems impossible to possible is the basis of his essentially practical approach. One of his many inventions is a new draping concept that makes use of thin net which allows him to incorporate this element in his ready-to-wear collection.
By having no hard and fast rules Daniel’s innovative design allows for seamless finishing, ‘twin’ pants bottom, 3D embellishments, to openings from the back – all proof that he is alive to the beautiful, the weird and the trendy found in most of the fashionable cities around the world. For colour options, Daniel has cleverly used the Spring/Summer Collection white, off white, milky yellow and dusty brown for a fresh combination of the dusty brown and green passion “Citi.” The red is meant to be a surprise. Through his 30 sets of different silhouettes from ready-to-wear, evening-wear and avant-garde, he uses handpicked materials such as silk chiffon, silk satin, bridal satin, cotton, wool, net and PVC.
Daniel Chong was born in 1981. From Kuala Lumpur, this down to earth young man is an extraordinary designer who has come a long way since his college days in Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. Upon graduating, he has immersed himself into the whims and chaos of the fashion world by becoming the Assistant Designer of the famous Melinda Looi. Soon after, he became the lead designer of the first fashion label ever produced by universities, Centrefold. Winning numerous awards throughout the years, his passion and determination has brought him to the next level when he won the Most Promising Designer and Best Evening Wear in the most prestigious competition ever held in Malaysia International Fashion Award 2004.
Today, Daniel Chong is a rising name in Malaysia and has now opened in Isetan with the label D CEL Design Creations.
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Flynow
Designer:
Chamnan Pakdeesuk
Flynow’s latest collection is presented with music and fashion of the 80s. The inspiration is taken from the New Romantic elements and influential artists of the time. The collection uses glamorous fabrics such as satin and silk organdy blended with exotic sequined work and refined vintage embroidery details.
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Inspired by Inner Complexity for Singha
Designers:
Issariya Virajsilp and Nuttawat Suthapong
Collection:
The Eternal Singha (Life)
The Collection is inspired by the verse of the Holy Bible, John Chapter 3, Verse 16 which emphasises the belief in the eternal life of the human spirit. The essence of the inner self is more important than mere flesh and bones.. The main colours of the collection reflect the Singha bottle and logo including dark brown and copper.
Inspired by Inner Complexity, was established in 2003 whose beliefs in the complexity of the human mind and the eternal nature of the human spirit is reflected in its approach to fashion design.
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Kloset Red Carpet by Ideo
Designer:
Mollika Ruangkritya, Nat Mangkang, Pisila Leekitvatana and Suphakanya Tripwatana
Collection:
Rocky Rose
Inspiration for this Rocky Rose collection comes from the musical GREASE reflected in musical instrument prints and note motifs. Rock ’n Roll is represented by a rose tattoo. A glimpse of the 50’s can be found in the collection along with other silhouettes. Teenage boy and girl themes are combined to create an intriguing style. Black, cream, green, light purple and sharp pink dominate as colors.
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KUNITAR & 8E88 meets Toyota
Designer:
Saruda Nimpitakpong and Chinachan Nimpitakpong
Neat modern cutting techniques and details add vibrancy to the collection. In response to the designers’ concern about global warming, natural fabrics including silk, cotton, chiffon, cotton lace and net play major roles. Selections of naturally dyed pastel colours, white, and vanilla predominate. The collection also sees outfits in red and black specially created for Toyota i-REAL.
The collection is inspired by travel experiences and reflects the harmony of different elements as does the Toyota i-REAL. Kunitar Dressing Room’s signature style is art & romantic, sweet and feminine while 8E88’s identity is a mixture of modern art, gothic and funky styles.
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. MUSE by Good Mixer
Designer:
Chaichon Savantrat
In “MUSE FYI '09” show, the “Sporty Chic American Football” theme by MUSE by Good Mixer makes use of the various clothes making processes and characteristic of its clientele to create a novel and arresting collection. Black and white are major colours with an additional of red. The highlight is the accented shoulder and silhouette inspired by American football uniform. Transforming technique also make the collection variable for different occasions.
MUSE by Good Mixer was established in 2005 under the concept “Resort Chic” – and which remains its signature style though with the addition of flowing and exotic evening dresses. This latest collection, presents a range of chic American football-inspired travel outfits while Good Mixer also presents masculine American football-inspired menswear.
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Secret Passion by Lingerie Salon
Secret Passion by Lingerie Salon presents the latest collections of innerwear by 10 leading labels including BSC, Calvin Klein Underwear, Guy Laroche, La Senza, Playboy, Raphaela Magica, Sabina, Triumph, Valisere and Wacoal.
Lingerie Salon at Siam Paragon Department Store offers wide selections of premium quality innerwear from international and Thai labels.
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Senada
Designer:
Chanita Preechawitayakul
Collection: All about Journeys
The “All about Journeys” collection present relaxing and functional day-to-night wear.
Tailored jackets for men are paired with pretty dresses while feminine blouses are matched with tailored trousers to create stunning effects.
The collection sees loose blouses, mini dresses, micro dresses, micro pants and girly skirts all used to great effect heightened occasionally by layered bottom pieces. Tailored jackets and trousers are also debuted in this collection which features Autumnal colours of olive green and mushroom grey. Prints, an essential element of the brand, are presented in petite floral designs with a modern graphical touch. Geometric prints are also available in brownish orange and cobalt blue. Fabrics include chiffon, wool, Shantung silk and artfully draped cotton spandex.
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Singha Life
Designers:
Chamnan Pakdeesuk, Roj Sangkasaba, Kowit Pongpandecha and Sutida Thompson
Collection:
A Walk on the Wild Side
The stylish Singha Life outfits and accessories label is part of the Boon Rawd Brewery group which after some 75 years has expanded to step in the challenging business of fashion.
“A Walk on the Wild Side” is the first fashion show of Singha Life. The scene takes place on a lively street, full of people and activities, where people interact and fashion plays a major role in daily life.
The main inspiration of this very first menswear collection comes from the existing Singha beverage clientele. Not only does this new fashion brand reflect their lifestyle, it also emphasizes the complete image of Singha men. Vintage art elements, reflecting the group’s long history are added to complete the look.
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Tube Gallery by L’Oréal Paris
Designer:
Phisit Jongnarangsin and Saksit Pisalasupongs
Collection:
The Kyoto Memory
The dress styles of ladies in the 30s and 40s are blended with traditional Japanese influences such as origami, obi belt along with unique folding and tying techniques. Silk satin and silk chiffon are artfully presented in Japanese-inspired prints. The collection is presented primarily in bright co lours such as green, yellow, red and pink as seen in the Japanese Yukata summer dress. Dark colors such as black and brown are also introduced.
Tube Gallery was established by two designers Phisit Jongnarangsin and Saksit Pisalasupongs. Many collections were showcased in international fashion events such as Australia Fashion Week 2006, the Bangkok Fashion City Roadshow in New York and China, Singapore Fashion Week 2005, KL Fashion Week in 2004. Tube Gallery also showcases their new collections at the Prêt A Porter in Paris every year.
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Yoswadee
Designer:
Pusdee Muntarphorn
Collection:
Thai-Inspired Variations
The “Fusion and Glamour” fashion show blends Thai and Western cultures in different periods. The emphasis is on softness, romance, charisma and femininity reflecting Yoswadee’s signature style. The collection uses softly flowing Western textiles such as chiffon and organza with Thai silk. The soft pastels of semi-precious stones such as purple, light green or yellow gold are used to create stunning effect.
Yoswadee, a legendary boutique with a 50-year plus history is a symbol of timeless sophisticated, elegance. The brand was originated by Yoswadee Boon-long, Pusdee Muntarphorn’s mother. Pusdee has been the brand successor for more than 10 years. Each Yoswadee’s design is available only in one unique piece.
* * * * *
27Nov.
Designer:
Chanachai Jareeyathana
Collection:
BabyFake
The second collection from 27Nov. is presented under the concept “Remember The Day When We Were Young!” This latest collection is reminiscent of the fun and worry-free period of childhood. Outfits are specially designed for the new generation seeking freedom from fashion’s dictates. 27Nov. boys and girls have their own unique personal style.
The clothes are also ideal for grown-ups who want to look younger. The collection is based primarily around bright greens, yellows, orange and blue, and paired with basic colours for everyday wear.
27 Nov. is a sister brand of 27Friday by Chanachai Jareeyathana. The new line for youngster was first introduced on Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion week 2008 in March. The teen street wears brand is remarkable with bright colours, unique design and details.With a small effort on mix and match between colours, prints and uncomplicated pattern, 27Nov outfit are ideal for daily wear.
Singha presents FASH by Srinakharinwirot University
FASH for Singha
Designers:
30 third-year students, Fashion Design Major, Faculty of Fine Arts, Srinakharinwirot University
Collection:
The show include two collections entitled Intro and Lesson
Both collections, Intro and Lesson, present ready-to-wear outfits created by 30 third-year students who individually present their own fashion thesis and style. Combining contemporary arts and modern retro style, Intro is showcased under the theme “Surrealism and Assemblage.” Lessons present street-avant-garde wear under the theme “Constructivism and Craftsmanship.” The two collections are of high quality creations by a new design generation and represent an interesting blend of art, ideas and craftsmanship.
* * * * *
FASH for Jim Thompson
Designer:
Koraklod Kumsook
Collection:
Victorian Excursion
FASH for Jim Thompson is an experimental fashion collection in doctoral level, illustrates the costumes of an aristocrat family in the Rattanakosin era spending a Victorian period vacation in England. Draping and wrapping techniques based on traditional Thai costumes are blended with Victorians elements such as dome-shaped skirts, lavish embroidery, feminine lace, and neat feminine lines. The entire collection is created with arrays of plain, printed and hand-woven silk from Jim Thompson’s fine and quality silk. A pleating technique is also used.
Koraklod Kumsook received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Srinakharinwirot University. He is a graduate and currently a Ph. D. candidate of Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, Birmingham City University, UK.
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