Dressing up for winter

WHAT WILL BE wearing this coming cool season? Answers came aplenty at the recent preview organised by Thai multi-brand alliance Bangkok Fashion Society, which saw 15 of the country’s best-known labels exhibiting their latest collections on the concept “You are what you wear”. Introducing the event, Polpat Asavaprapha, president of BFS and creative director of Asava, Nut Mungkung of Kloset and Phumisak Thienprasit of Painkiller reflected on overall trends for autumn and winter 2013, which can be classified into three major looks that are in line with global styles.
“Something Decadent” focuses on excessive embellishment with dazzling materials like brocade, metallic lacing, gold fabrics, velvet textiles and also Renaissance prints reflecting the prosperous times of the past.
“A Way of Pop” is inspired by the pop culture of the ’80’s and ’90s and features outfits and accessories in the brightest of colours. Patterns encompass modern comic and graphic novels that bring to mind Roy Lichtensein’s ’70s paintings as well as candy or animal prints that can be mixed for a more radical look.
“Minimal Mobility” responds to the versatility, agility, vigour and convenience of the modern lifestyle with apparel and accessories emphasising clear graphic lines in a sporty style.

Below are some insights|into each brand.

Asava
Asava combines New York’s Big Apple slogan with Lichtenstein’s pop art for a collection that’s abuzz with colour and prints. The letter “A” is used to construct the monogram pattern that adorns many key items including a pyjama-inspired outfit, a tunic dress and an enticing bustier top paired with matching shorts.

Curated by Ek Thongprasert
The “Dream a Dream” collection from Curated by Ek Thongprasert was inspired by the “Sky Mirror”, a reflective sculpture created by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor. The designer views the artwork as a way of disguising the appearance by putting other physical objects on top of themselves and merging with them. His new minimal-style outfits feature lots of constructed architectural prints that mirror the reflections of many cities.

Disaya
Disaya’s collection revives the contemporary period with clear elements of pop art. The new key look is the printed pattern called “Candies Portraits” with candies lined up as animal faces. “Celebration Candies” features lurex jacquard with metallic thread on dresses, jump suits, and wide skirts that are matched with blue, pink, and metallic green candies. More new colourful printed patterns appear in the “Feather Portraits” and “Royale Portraits” series, which boast cheeky animal faces.

Greyhound Original
Inspired by the film noir and an animated French film called “Fears of the Dark”, Greyhound Original presents the silhouette of the light as the main character of its collection with rigid form patterns that fit to a tee. Textures that have an unpredictable surface representing the feeling of a room without light are created by perforating the overlap between fabric and organza, weaving different kind of velvets together, or combining fabrics with a piece of leather.

Issue
Issue’s “Spices” collection is inspired by a Thai poem describing tasty food and desserts with the beauty and delicacy of several kinds of food reinterpreted through printed patterns in unique styles. The highlight is the vivid and colourful total print look.

Kloset
Kloset’s “A Girl’s Best Friend” collection invites fashionistas to fall head over heels in love with diamond jewels, flowers, buds about to blossom, and a sexy leopard pattern that’s a must for confident gals. Fabrics including satin, chiffon and knitted tweed are enhanced by detailed embroidery.
 Milin
Milin captures the atmosphere of an art auction through experiments with moulage and much more complex patterns. Asymmetry is the keyword, with curved hemlines swerving in subtle colour combinations. Brushstroke prints, patchwork on cropped tops and mini-dresses, ruffles and sculptured draping are the highlights. Even the high heels are decorated with a ruffle at the back.

Munchu’s
Munchu’s White Canvas collection features outfits that are modern and simply chic. Key pieces include an oversized blazer decorated with fur, two-tone evening dresses, and satin gowns for a chic and elegant look.

Painkiller
The collection “Love Will Keep Us Alive” is inspired by the “March of the Penguins” documentary as much as by the favoured by Napoleon Bonaparte and the Empress Josephine. The palette offers white, baby blue, hot pink, grey and black, while the silhouette is roundish and loose, rather like the graphic line of a penguin’s body.

Playhound by Greyhound
Playhound reintroduces the lenticular TV effect with stereoscopic high definition defining the prints, pleated forms and the exclusive material use in the accessories collection. Men are decked out in turtle necks and structured coats that match the brand’s signature slim cut, while women are dressed in crop tops with maxi skirts, straight leg denims and square-shoulder jackets.

Senada
This autumn and winter, Senada invites fashionistas to relive their bittersweet romantic journeys with forest prints in black and green. Daring new shapes and forms predominate, such as elegant short- and long-sleeved shirts embellished with tulle embroidery and bow tie collars paired with different length skirts and oversized suit jackets.

Something Boudoir
A sister brand of Disaya, Something Boudoir’s new collection features uniform attire with girly embellishments to soften the rigidity. Customised buttons and accessories unite to reflect the post high-school girl charm. The “Camporee” print portraying a hand-sketched map is transferred to pantsuits and day dresses, while “Hide and Seek” defines the new definition of camouflage chic.
 
Tu’i
Tu’i “The Way West” collection features eight distinctive handbag designs inspired by the legends of cattle herding cowboys riding in the skies. These striking totes capture the charm of the Old West from the hip look of the American rodeo girl to the golden rays of shining hay and include the Ryder Sheriff, a satchel bag with its hand strap embellished with a line of gold sheriff stars. All handbags feature earth tones in cowboy shades such as Texan Black, Whiskey, Cigar, Hay and White Smoke.

Tutti
Tutti mocks the plastic beauty Barbie by recreating an ideal women under a “conceal and reveal” approach. Simple technique such as darts, gatherings and ruffles achieve volume. Lingerie details and layering are also important as is the use of elastic.

Vickteerut
Vickteerut’s “The Basic Trilogy” collection offers minimal sleek coats with a polished look and tailored details. The simple and lean silhouettes are updated and transformed through new techniques and shiny materials. Dresses and separates are very womanly with sheer fabric, open backs, cropped tops and slit skirts while maintaining menswear references in shirts, jackets, and wide-leg trousers.