a TOUCH OF
Asia
Last month with my team in Bangkok,
we were invited to experience the most
exciting event taking place in the fashion
industry to date. I have never seen a
competition of this format and it is fresh
and exciting at the same time.
We arrived at Prachpriew studio in Ekkamai not knowing what to expect when we saw that familiar font
of Harper’s Bazaar carefully laid out on the pathway. We were immediately charged and super excited,
me especially. Duang Wannaporn Poshyanonda, or as most people refer to her as “P Duang Red Lips”,
stepped up to reign the Editor in Chief position at Harper’s Bazaar Thailand, where she has jazzed up the
rag in a big way.
I recall the nation wide street style competitions as well as meet and greet with the photographer, FACE
HUNTER, and now this. After her usual fashion week meet ups with the other editors in Asia, she teamed
up with Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia to create this competition.
Duang is also the promoter of Instituto Marangoni, a well renowned fashioninstitution, so you can imaging,
everything just falls into place for the Harper’s Bazaar Asia New Generation Fashion Designer Award.
This contest is a stage for young designers in each country to put their best foot forward to design a
capsule collection for the panellist who are the ultimate fashion experts in the industry from each country
to find the final 2 to compete in the finale at Bangkok International Fashion Week in November.
The criterion is not as easy as you may think, in this day and age, you cannot survive on creativity alone
in the fashion industry. The designers also need to present their business plan consisting of production,
pricing, marketing plan and timeline. Eek! Don’t think it’s so easy now hey? Competition in fashion is
fierce in Asia.
The calibre of the participants rocketed through the roof. As our team was in the audience watching
each collection’s presentation, we were so in awe of everyone’s creations. They have sourced a variety of
different materials including sequins, gemstones, organza silk, and combining all the different techniques
like gilding and Thai cultural elements.
Although we are now just a little envious of the winner who will receive a million baht scholarship to
study a master’s degree in the UK as well as serving as a fashion stylist at the magazine, the hard work has
certainlye paid off. The students diligently worked super hard together, even if they didn’t get the crown
to win first prize, I am sure we will see their faces again in the near future.
Toodles ladies, stay tune with me for more as Bangkok is buzzing with all the exciting new season fashion
shows and presentations this month.
Following are some of my favourite pics from Bangkok International Fashion Week.