Every one a winner

THERE’S PLENTY to be said for online shopping, not least the travel time you’ll save getting to your favourite store and a much wider choice of goodies. But there’s also something wonderfully decadent about spending time in a boutique, feeling the different fabrics with your fingertips and knowing that the garment you’ve just tried on is exactly what you were looking for. 

Chanodom “Gut” Mekanandha, his pal Sirada “Jib” Hannakin and Sirada’s husband bring the pleasures of virtual and real-time shopping under one roof in their boutique FabLab at CentralWorld by stocking designs from 41 remarkable online fashion brands.

Promoting itself as “a department of online fashion” FabLab – the name comes from “fabulous” and “laboratory” – offers a wide range of outfits and accessories that demand to be mixed and matched. That makes it perfect for young professionals who want to look different every day but don’t have the money to buy an extensive wardrobe.

The CentralWorld store proved so successful that the trio opened a second boutique just before the festive season at Central Festival EastVille, the new shopping mall in the Lat Phrao-Ram-Intra area.

While the scale is smaller, the variety of designs is larger with the new boutique occupying 60 square metres of space. It’s designed to look like a walk-in closet, with garments hanging along each wall and shelves of footwear and costume jewellery as well as a dressing table full of colourful cosmetics taking centre stage. 

“Three years ago, Sirada and I opened an online clothing shop called Chada Bangkok on Facebook and Instagram. We also participated in various fairs and talking with other designer friends, it became obvious that the best way of making our brands known was to have a shop in a leading shopping mall,” Chanodom says

“Sirada and I decided to start a boutique where we could share retail space and ideas. We spent two years looking for a prime location and last year were lucky enough to be able to take up the space at CentralWorld. The new outlet caters more to families as it is in a major residential area.”

Focusing on innovative designs and quality, all products are sold at the same price as online. Brands include Varinthorn Boutique by celebrity Varinthorn Guntipaibul, which offers beautifully cut and custom-tailored apparel. 

Pitch has a range of colourful T-shirts, Nethiyapha presents a limited edition of smart free-size coats with seamless sleeves, stylish crinkle trousers made from imported Japanese textiles and detailed blouses in black, white and beige. Actress Sunisa Hiranyasthiti features her fancy skirts adorned with a big bow, blouses with ornamental fringes and trendy trousers in vivid shades. 

Chapter Ballerinas offers foldable slippers with a comfy foam insole and Thara presents unique leather sandals with a detachable strap. 

Other accessories include refined pink and white gold earrings with pearls and crystals, colourful necklaces by So Now and quality lipsticks from Threerin and Dareme.

  

SLIP IT ON

>>FabLab is located on the first floor of Central Festival EastVille. 

>>It’s open Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 10pm and from 10am on Saturday and Sunday. 

>>Visit the “FabLabStoreBkk” page on Facebook.