This past weekend, as part of their Fashion Visionary Fashion Weekend, Siam Center staged eight fashion shows, showcasing some of the best designers that Siam Center – and Thailand more generally – has to offer. Coconuts caught the highlights, and picked up on a few trends as well.
Fri 27 Nov. Delighting by Canon
I left the Fri 27 Nov show most enamoured with the necklines of the garments on display. Both women’s dresses and men’s shirts were adorned with wired lace constructions, which created the impression that they were blowing about in the breeze. That’s what Fr 27 Nov is best at: Simple pieces bought to life with one fun and unexpected detail. Collars were heavily beaded, skirts were white A-line and entirely sheer, loose white trousers were turned into statement pieces with a chaotic mass of black graphic stripes, simple fedoras were pepped up with feathers and utility style hooded jackets were made glam with a peppering of sequins. Broderie anglaise, lace, graphic stripes and soft creams and black were the recurring themes throughout the show. A full-length lace and sequinned skirt worn with a slouchy cream jumper and white Converse trainers summed up the collection for me; it was simple, wearable and effortlessly stylish.
Ab-Normal
This mostly monochrome collection featured some prominent trends, including spots, folded fabrics, stunning, almost architectural neckpieces and two-tone clothing (such as beige fronted, white backed trousers). Beaded shorts and both cropped and jewelled shirts gave Ab-Normal’s menswear a new twist without compromising its masculinity, while the women’s collection was dominated by swathes of folded fabrics, scatterings of spotted tops and some eye-catching necklaces.
Painkiller Archtype
This men’s-only show presented some bold designs. The “King of the jungle” jumpers printed with cartoonish images of fearsome creatures, such as bears, wolves and foxes, are sure to be a huge hit and were certainly the most memorable look of the show. Other pieces in the collection included heavily patterned floral shirts and shorts, as well as a beautiful selection of printed metallic jackets.
Wonder Anatomie
Wonder Anatomie somehow manages to fuse Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier-esque tattoo designs with ultra modern cuts and make them look like to-die-for pieces. While most self-respecting fashionistas wouldn’t touch Ed Hardy with a barge pole, Wonder Anatomie has them drooling, as Saturday night’s show proved.
The collection was focused around colourful eagle, skeleton and butterfly tattoo prints, as well as plenty of python print in acid yellows, bright greens and stop-sign reds. The designs were complex and tough, featuring python skin textured shorts, shoes with snake print fins, round-shouldered tops, jackets with decoupage effect 3D tattoo designs (with skeleton hands appearing to pull it open), bead fringing and dresses topped with clear Perspex studded with diamante. There were no ‘lounging around the house’ pieces here; Wonder Anatomie collections are created to turn heads.
Take-away trends
Neck detailing
Who needs necklaces when your shirt is jewelled at the throat (Ab-Normal) or has a wired lace scarf attached to it (Fri 27 Nov)? If your outfit is beautiful enough, there’s no need to accessorize. Built-in accessories are having a moment.
Shorts with jackets
Let’s face it; it’s too hot to wear a full suit in Bangkok. So why not pair your jacket with some beautifully tailored shorts, instead? Ab-Normal opted for beaded shorts, while Painkiller Archetype’s were bright and floral.
Fancy jackets
Seriously, shove your traditional suit to the back of the wardrobe. If it’s not a metallic embossed jacket, such as those at Painkiller Archetype, or a broderie anglaise jacket (Fri 27 Nov), you’re not paying enough attention.
