In the clutch

GROWING up in a family that owns a tannery, Navapon Chottanasincharoen has been passionate about leather for as long as he can remember. He also boasts a good eye for business and while at university started to snap up the scraps of leather left on the factory floor to turn them into wristbands. The design and colours appealed to his friends and soon he was selling his wares at Suan Lum Night Market.

As the wristbands grew in popularity so did the need for more space. Soon Navapon was the proud owner of Hob in Siam Square and a second shop at Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Today, seven years on, he’s expanded his line and now offers clutches, handbags, wallets and wristwatch straps made from organic leather in a variety of colours.

He also regularly sends shipments of bags and wallets to Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, Taiwan, Spain, China, France, Turkey and Morocco.

“My bags are one-of-a-kind pieces and I guarantee the quality. And while I was only premium materials, I keep prices affordable,” Navapon says. 

Three years ago, he opened a new outlet on the third floor of downtown shopping mall Terminal 21 and now stocks more than 30 bag designs in his trademark garish hues of pink, lime lemon, orange, purple and yellow. For more sombre days, he also offers his stock in metallic silver and gold as well as black and white. 

“I use the colour splash technique and do my own stamp printing by hand. The colours are acrylic so the bags have a reasonably waterproof surface,” he says. 

Hob also has branches at Siam Center and Asiatique. 

 

 

COLOUR ME BRIGHT

>>Hob is on the third floor of Terminal 21. 

>>It’s open daily from 10 to 10. 

>> Call (089) 612 1233 or visit Hobshop page on Facebook.