Tops among totes
The handsome handbags at 31 Thanwa owe their charm and utility to family footwear
Boonyanuch Vittayasamrit, whose family’s Wagon Way factory has been producing leather moccasins and exporting them to Europe and the Middle East for 60 years, has her own line of leather bags for men and women now called 31 Thanwa.
The Chulalongkorn University interior-design graduate marries the family’s stitching techniques to her lifelong love of collecting bags in various styles.
“I wanted to have my own business so I started designing a leather bag and had a prototype created,” says Boonyanuch. “I posted a picture of it on Facebook and my friends loved it, which inspired me to found the 31 Thanwa brand in 2011.
“The name refers my birth date and a sense of joy and cheerfulness.” A fan of craftsmanship and keen to conserve it, Boonyanuch has adapted several shoemaking methods and materials for her bags, guaranteeing high quality. “I want to build on the family business and make our products to look more modern while retaining their uniqueness,” Boonyanuch says.
“I flew to Singapore to learn the basics of stitching shoes with a skilful shoemaker who used to teach my father, and how to mould a good sole. The stitching techniques make my bags long-lasting – and fascinating.”
Her slogan is “Less is more, not less is boring”, and there are enough details in the designs to reflect different aspects of society and the working woman’s place in it. “My designs are minimal, with attention paid to function and good patterns, perfect for mixing and matching in daily life. You feel more playful when you wear them!”
She recently set up a “pop-up store” in the lobby of the W Hotel, where foreign tourists and anyone else with an eye for leather can’t fail to notice it.
On display are two collections, more than 10 styles in all, in black, beige and brown.
The Animal Instinct series includes the stylish Two Faces clutch bag with two kinds of leather. You can flip or fold it into a shoulder bag or a tiger-stripe clutch. The equally attractive Mystique clutch comes in A4 size, ideal for carrying documents and an iPad, while the zipper on the Curios Noir reveals a mini-pocket for an iPhone made from the skin of a monitor lizard.
The newer collection is Prime Vendetta, with a Bote bag boasting standout hand stitching. It can be a shoulder bag with an adjustable strap. And the Sadique Noir comes with a leather bracelet.
“I’m launching a selection of genuine-leather shoes at the end of year as well,” adds Boonyanuch.
BAGS OF FUN
<< The 31 Thanwa pop-up store is on the ground floor of the W Hotel on Sathorn Road and open daily from 9am to 9pm. The bags are also available in the Wonder Room at Siam Center.
<< Call (081) 711 8031 or visit www.31Thanwa.com or the “31Thanwashop” page on Facebook.
