After a brief but very intense period of exploring the Bangkokian trends I want to share the main differences that I noticed between Italian and Thai fashion designers.
As I already mentioned in this post most of the local designers are in their early twenties. They usually start their business while still studying in the University in order to put in practice their knowledge. The situation is not exactly the same in Italy where the average age is around forty. One of the reasons might be that here the costs are much much lower than in Milan for example. The cost of labour is much cheaper and so is for the raw materials. Also the fees for participating in any of the recurrent events dedicated to independent designers hardly ever exceed 100 euro as opposed to Italy where the prices start from 400 eur (for a really small events with no more than 20-30 participants) and can arrive up to 4000 eur for shows like the popular Fiera dell’Artigianato. Considering this it becomes clear that for doing business in Italy you will need some serious initial capital and this is usually not the case when you are a carefree youngster.
Thais follow the trend, and with few exceptions, if you see five you have seen them all. The first impression might be that the local fashion is very creative and innovative but after a while you will find out that it is also very repetitive. Same models, same cuts, even same fabrics. This doesn’t apply to the Italian designers who, on the opposite, don’t care about the current trends and that is the reason why their collections are always exclusive and unique.
The third and most important difference is the know-how. Italy is widely recognized as one of the key players in the fashion scene since medieval times. Just think of the Florentian Caterina de Medici who was definitely a style icon and a powerful trend influencer in both Italy and France. And in that times Instagram didn’t even exist. Italians have always been very attentive to dressing-up well and fare una bella figura. Exceptional quality, impeccable craftsmanship and sartorial expertise is what they expect for their garments and this is what they get. In Thailand, on the other hand, most people don’t look for quality. Low quality polyester is extensively used and it is quite unlikely to find clothing made of cotton or silk. The designs are also very rudimental and the execution leaves much to be desired ( irregular stitchings are the daily bread ).
Of course I don’t put everyone into the same basket, there are many exceptions but they are still a minority. Probably in the last centuries Thailand has had more relevant issues to deal with than fashion. However, it is beyond any doubt that Thais are very ambitious so it will be no surprise if one day ( not in the nearest future though ) they reach the excellence of the Italian craftmanship.
P.S. After re-reading my post a question arose in my head – in this case is it the market that determines the offer or it is the offer than determines the market? What do you think?
Very well done, a brilliant article! As for your question, the market is determined by the offer, but the market now more than ever creates the demand, hence creates the need for the offer that wasn’t there in the first place.
The majority of people wouldn’t pay 10,000 baht for clothes when food was just 100 baht. Some established brands like Kloset, Issue, Disaya, Sretsis will do high quality but only very rich and celebrities would buy them. If you’re looking for quality, you can go to department stores in Siam on the cold side like Siam discovery, Siam centre, Centralworld. That’s where all the brands would locate their stores. Siam paragon women wear section is such eye candy. Siam square and centre point on the hot side is where teenagers go so they can’t add to much price tags on clothes (I think that’s where you went?). We call them hot and cold sides because one side without air-con and the other side with air-con. 🙂 Though Siam square has a department store with air-con now called Siam square1. I think they have high-end bags consignment shops there.
When I was a teenager living in Bangkok I wouldn’t spend more than 300 baht on clothes. Everything I bought was 199 baht :). My mum would say they are such bad quality blah blah but I just save money for my future. Now I earn UK wages and as much as I love runways and Thai fashion ( I love that they are so girly and they fit me.) I can’t put myself together to buy Thai designer brands. It just doesn’t feel right.
Sorry for such a long comment. I think the whole industry needs more money overall! lol Hope you enjoy Thailand, would love to go shopping with you when you’re in Thailand. 🙂 xx
Hi Ariel,
I like your long comments, they are very insightful!
Can you please explain what do you mean with ” I can’t put myself together to buy Thai designer brands. It just doesn’t feel right.”. I am not sure I understand.
Do you live in Thailand now? Will keep this in mind for the next time I come. I love shopping in Bangkok so much 🙂
Cause I grew up spending 199 baht for a top in Thailand. One day I went back and it costs 2,000 baht. That’s shocking. I’m not sure how much tops cost nowadays but recently I wanted a Sretisis faux fur jacket and my friend said it costs about 30,000 baht! For that price point I’d get Tory Burch, Coach, J. crew. It’s kind of… why not get global brands? or buy high street brands and save a bunch of money?
I still love to look at Thai fashion though. I keep checking Thaicatwalk.com and poppery fashion on youtube but every time it reminds me that Bangkok is not a fashion city compare to London, Paris, Milan. I’ve never been to Milan but would love to one day. 🙂 Bangkok has only got a handful of supermodels and the rest are actors walking the show. They make more money being actors. It’s simply different league to Milan. Tokyo or Seoul might be more comparable.
I live in UK now but going back every year around April for Songkran. 🙂
Good place to shop Thai brands is the outlets on the way between Bangkok-Huahin. There’s Flynow outlet and clothes that Flynow made for other brands and premium outlet where they’ve got Roxy, Quicksilver, Nike things like that. Have you heard of them? The places I’d go for my 199 baht goodies are Jatujak market and platinum mall. Have you ever been there?