Fashion gets a revamp

POPULAR second-hand shop 7@2nd Fl in Siam Square has undergone a complete revamp and is once again open for business, this time as a boutique and gallery showcasing a variety of clothes, accessories and lifestyle products by illustrator Wisut Ponnimit and designers Hiroka “Vee” Limviphuvudh and Sritala Sridapalee.

The store, which was started by printmaking graduate Sritala and her friends more than a decade ago, was best known for its wide range of second-hand outfits, shoes and bags from South Korea and Japan. 

But then the pals agreed to split up and go their own way leaving Sritala with the shop. She took the opportunity to revamp the concept and expanded her stock by remaking some of used outfits into new clothes under the Rea label. 

The clothes are distinctive with colours and patterns mixed and matched to create one-of-a-kind shirts, skirts and dresses in chiffon, cotton and linen. For example, a shirt is turned into a skirt, a dress becomes a shirt and pleated skirt while a no-longer-fashionable printed dress transforms into an attractive jumpsuit. Fashionistas can pair their new togs with Sritala’s collection of second-hand bags and shoes.

“We have plenty of clothes in stock and they are proving popular with shoppers who want something of a really individual nature,” she says.

Artist Wisut and his designer wife Vee joined the boutique last year. Wisut’s space covers a glass showcase and a few shelves, which are now filled with a range of lifestyle goods inspired by his popular cartoon Mamuang.

Fans of the little girl and her dog will be delighted with the dolls, mugs, iPhone’s cases, stickers, canvas shopping bags, postcards, scarves, rulers, cartoon books, notepads and cards.

Another corner of the store is home to the popular Japanese fashion brand VL by Vee. The designer, who studied fashion and textile design at Kobe Design University, opened her first online shop Tamariba in 2007 selling funky T-shirts, blouses and bags. In 2011, she founded her own brand and launched her debut collection at a Kobe fashion show. 

In October last year, she presented her spring-summer 2015 collection dubbed “Lazy Daily Exercise”. It features pencil skirts, cropped T-shirts and blouses, shirts, pants, jumpsuits and dresses with embroidered birds and plastic shuttlecocks drawn by Wisut.

 “I’m lazy but I try more to do exercise at home. I play badminton on the roof and spin a hula hoop while watching television. So my new collection is based on my simple lifestyle and boasts a lively feminine style,” she says, adding that she is also offering limited edition Kitty Catch Dora Party handbags made from cotton and silk.

 

UP ON TOP

>>7@2nd Fl is located on the second floor of Lido Theatre, Siam Square Soi 3. 

>>It’s open daily from 2 to 8.30 

>>Call (02) 654 6253.