Hearts a-flutter at La Boutique

LA BOUTIQUE’S “Spirit of the Butterfly” autumn-winter collection evokes the emergence of a beautiful creature from its modest cocoon. “Today’s women become stronger in their busy and hectic urban lives, just as a butterfly evolves,” creative director Patcharawattana “Tao” Trakarnsantikul said at the line’s recent unveiling at the EmQuartier. 

“With the passage of time, La Boutique women become ready to spread their wings and reveal their true beauty.” The designers have printed a pattern called l’Effet Papillon – fluttering with multi-coloured butterflies – on Le Noir, the maxi dress at the heart of the collection. The inspiration came from two works by British artist Damien Hirst, “In and Out of Love (White Paintings and Live Butterflies)” and “In and Out of Love (Butterfly Paintings and Ashtrays)”. 

The goal was to express creative freedom with sweet subtleness and mysterious charm. Modern cutting has been adapted with a hint of the Bohemian style popular in the 1970s. The maxi dress and palazzo pants carry embroidery as well to suggest the dramatic interplay of light and shadow in the night. 

Another signature piece is the jump suit, which pairs different materials to add dimension and tactile appeal. Butterfly-shaped crystal beads are embroidered in key areas, adding a sense of mystery for a woman who’s confident in her own identity.

“Few women are satisfied with their body shape,” Tao noted. “One of the main problems involves the upper arm – women are shy about wearing open-shoulder dresses. But this can be overcome by decorating the area with organza lace. 

“Large hips make women avoid hoop skirts and pencil skirts because they make them look bigger, but both of these skirt styles, with their high waists, actually help conceal what’s worrying them.”

Exquisite fabric, from lace, chiffon and satin to see-through material, has more of those butterflies, along with crepe silk, tulle and coloured ostrich feathers. 

The butterfly concept is rendered primarily in black and white, but there is also generous use of Lemon Zest, Midnight |Blue and Magic Emerald, as seen in the Hirst paintings. The result is a look that’s both elegant and luxurious.

Celebrities on hand for the launch included Polpat “Moo” Asavaprapha, Ploy Horwang, Pimdao “Mudmee” Panichsamai, Piyawadee “Tu” Maleenont, Praephan “Prae” Thammawattana, Matunart “Pueng” Sosothikul, Prae Watcharapai, Kornkanok “Lek” Yongsakul, Pattamawadee “Maprang” Sane-narong, Juralak “Moo” Piyasombatkul, Miss Thailand 2009 Chutima “Kaimook” Durongdej, Ornchuma “Fay” Durongdej, Prachayamon “Ying” Buranasiri, Saranthorn Techapaibul, Inthira “Ann” Thanavisuth, Pattriya “Pie” Na Nakorn, Pawarisa “Wan Wan” Penchart, Piyarat Kaljareuk and Passornkorn “Pok” Chirathivat.

Others in the crowd were Panita Thammawattana, Panward Boonyaratglin, Sririta Jensen, May Fuangarom, Pitchanart “May” Sakakorn, Supaksorn “Kratae” Chaimongkol, Premsinee “Cream” Ratanasopha, Yardthip Rachapal, Rasri “Margie” Balenciaga, Natthaporn “Taew” Taemerat, Varitthisa Limthammahisorn, Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich, Piyada Turongkul, Fonthip “Pooklook” Watcharatrakul, Patcharin “Namfon” Srivasupirom, Hansa Wattanawongsiri, Pichukkana “Namtarn” Wongsarattanasin, Sarunrat “Lydia” Visutthithada, Pakorn Lum, Metal Sukkhao, Karnklao “Grace” Duaysianklao, Panwarot “Grand” Duaysianklao, Pimthong “Dao” Washirakom, Kannarun “Prang” Wongkajornklai, Ameena “Ice” Gul, Monchanok Saengchaipiangpen, Tharakhet Phetsuksai, Tussaneeya “Preaw” Karnsommuch, Supachai Sriwichit, Miss Thailand 2009 runner-up Karnpitcha “Aom” Ketmanee, Jarinya “Kaew” Sirimongkolsakul, Napasasi “Mind” Surawan and Kulamas “Knomjean” Limprawuttiwaranonth.