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Perfect Combination

This popular bags and shoes store is located just next to MRT Kampaeng Phet station (exit 2), luring in shoppers with its colorful leather and canvas goods. With sharp, on-trend designs and affordable prices (men’s shoes from B3,500, women’s shoes from B3,250), it’s plain to see why Perfect Combination has been a shopper’s favorite for almost a decade
Next to MRT Kamphaeng Phet, 083-066-5960

Common-T

Common-T is the brainchild of Songwut Thong-thou, who makes stylish yet affordable t-shirts for all ages. The premise is simple: tees, polos and tank-tops in basic colors (off-white, grey, black) printed with each collection’s different graphics. The latest collection is inspired by Hawaii so expect surf-inspired prints featuring palm trees and girls in hula skirts. T-shirts are from B490, while Common-T now also stock bags, caps and small leather accessories.
Section 2, Soi 3, 02-7113616, www.facebook.com/commontshirt

Plain&Pattern

As the name suggests, it’s all about plain colors and pattern prints, here. Plain&Pattern presents minimal-looking flat shoes, t-shirts and cotton dresses in stripes, polka dots and earth-toned colors. For a more summer feel, they also produce blouses and dresses made from high-quality linen. Prices are B290-650.
Section 4, Soi 50/1, Room 192, 081-499-4995, www.facebook.com/plainandpattern

Backyard

This accessories shop was founded three years ago by budding jewelry designer Nicha “Nan” Iamsakulpanich, whose vintage-style pieces take their cues from nature. Expect plenty of trees and animals, as well as designs influenced by Nicha’s favorite fairy tales, such as wooden rabbit pendants and coral-shaped earrings. Prices are B320-B1,890.
Section 4, Soi 2, Room 225, 086-392-6169. www.in-the-backyard.com

Labyrinth

The labor of love of two friends, Labyrinth’s beautiful bracelets, necklaces, locket pendants, bangles and rings are made from interesting materials like brass, feather, stone, resin and stencils. Their style aims to promote feminine beauty and is clearly influenced by European Rococo art.
Section 3, Soi 2, 081-907-8705

Chuan Pisamai

Nampueng and her elder sister turned their passion for dressing other women into a haven of romantic, vintage-style accessories. Chuan Pissamai was born six years ago when Nampueng started using leftover costume jewelry to decorate hats. Girls can browse the seemingly unlimited range of flower-pattern shoes, bags and accessories, but the real highlights are the headbands (B290-590) and hats (B450-3,000)—Nampueng crafts them herself and vows that each is one of a kind.
Section 3, Room 125-126, www.facebook.com/ChuanPisamai

Pao Bay Fun

Ko, who works in film production, launched this brand in December 2011 in order to showcase his silk-screen canvas bags. But finding the process too tough, and armed with just adhesive tape and fabric paint, the results were something even more homespun. Pao Bay Fan sells various types of bags, each handmade and one-of-a-kind, but the bright, hand-painted ones are the real deal. Bags are from B390.
Section 2, Room 257 (main road-side), https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paobayfun-Shop/378389685505273   

Mazmoizelle

After graduating from college, owner Par joined with her friend Sho to open up this cork and leather accessories shop. Mazmoizelle does messenger bags, school bags and small purses, as well as passport covers made from cork, leather and canvas. Expect preppy designs fusing canvas and leather in tones like brown, black, beige and green, messenger bags made from cork, and leather wallets and notebooks in various colors. The designs here are simple and understated, but what’s really cool is the use of cork as one of the main materials, as well as their tasteful color combinations like the carrier bag in beige and indigo, khaki and green or even beige and ash. Bags start from B690 and notebooks from B150.
Section 3 Soi 43, 085-557-5721

Tomato

The small room of Tomato resembles a revolving door of hipsters, who come here to seek out cool pairs of washed blue jeans. Tomato’s owners promise utmost comfort—even if you opt for their super-tight skinny jeans—as they say they only use high-quality stretchable denim, which stays in proper shape even after a year of wear and tear. The shop stocks boat shoes, ankle boots, oxford shoes and loafers, too.
Section 3, Room 5, 17. www.facebook.com/TomatoWare

The Sleeveless Garden

It all started when three friends were having trouble finding the perfect vintage-style bag at an affordable price, and so decided to take matters into their own hands. The Sleeveless Garden’s bags combine genuine leather with cool designs and fashionable color schemes—and prices start from just B2,000. Highlights include the series of school bags (from B2,900) in different colors, from tanned orange to vintage black, and we’re in love with their new minimal-style Grand Canel tote bag (from B2,900).
Section 4, Soi 47/1, Room 18, 081-456-0315, www.facebook.com/thesleevelessgarden

I was an unwitting follower of fashion. I loved it before I even knew what it was. I always kept an eye on my elementary school teacher’s fashion sense and would sketch details down in my textbooks.

I studied fashion design at the University of North Texas and discovered a real passion for fashion history. After I graduated, I came back to work in Bangkok as a junior designer for a small brand before becoming a freelancer for the Thai edition of Elle Magazine.

1997 saw a big change in the fashion industry. All the big names like Gucci, Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton altered their marketing strategies, giving chances to new designers, installing head offices in the Far East and pouring money into advertising. I was lucky that this was when I started up as fashion editor at Elle Thailand.

You never know what your passion is until you start doing it. I’m lucky to have found what I love to do. I still get excited every day when I drive to work.

Fashion is not entertainment; it’s a business. People always ask me if I had fun at international fashion weeks, and I tell them there’s a whole lot of not-so-fun work to do to get a show up on the catwalk for only 10 minutes.

Working in fashion is like getting dressed up. It doesn’t need to be as stressful as some people make it.

My life is quite surreal with all the exclusive treats and luxuries I receive as a fashion magazine editor. So it’s really important that you surround yourself with the right people so as to not forget who you are and abuse your power and everyone around you.

Hanging out with those you love helps keep you grounded. I love to balance my fancy work life by spending time with my family. There are no exaggerations when I am with them. At the end of the day, even the editor of the Vogue’s US edition, Anna Wintour, is a mother to her daughters.

Vogue’s arrival is an indicator that the Thai market is ready to expand. People are spending more money on luxury brands. Vogue Thailand will change the local fashion scene immensely over the next six months.

Becoming Vogue editor is my biggest challenge yet. I’ve always said that you learn something new every day and this confirms it. Just because I have worked for Elle Thailand for 15 years doesn’t mean I know how this job is going to turn out. We’re starting from scratch so I’ve already met with the editors who took Vogue to Britain and Spain.

Each edition of Vogue must reflect its country’s culture. I love that the Vogue team doesn’t have a template for us to follow. We can create what we want so long as it matches Vogue’s standards. It’s up to us to portray Thai sensibilities in such a way that people know they’re reading Vogue Thailand.

I want to celebrate Thai talents; not only designers, but anything related to fashion, from photographers, models and make-up artists to Thai craftspeople. I want Vogue to be a platform for them to shine.

A top fashion magazine doesn’t need to be avant-garde. My ideal magazine is easily accessible and has the power to inspire every girl on the street to express their own sense of fashion.

I’m one of the biggest fans of HM Queen Sirikit. I can recall accurately what she wore at any number of ceremonies. I achieved one of my great goals by being a part of the creation of the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. I’m enchanted by Thai textiles and hope to keep developing them for the Thai fashion scene.

Thai fashion labels are being run by rich kids who oversee both the design and business aspects. That means there’s no real focus on designing clothes, unlike in global fashion cities where investors pour money into allowing designers to get creative.

I consider it my next duty to encourage investors to see the good opportunities in Thai fashion and to help expand it.

I pride myself on moderation. I never believe or like anything too much, until I’ve looked at it from another perspective. It pays to have an open mind. Reading and traveling will polish your thoughts.

Deadlines are the scariest thing in my line of work, much harder than dealing with people or keeping on top of trends.

Acknowledge your mistakes and move on. Don’t look back and don’t let it happen again. My big errors of judgment include choosing covers that didn’t sell.

Everyone has trial-and-error moments in fashion, myself included.
I have no noble philosophy. I just live with the truth. Even if one day I don’t have everything I have now, I’ll have no regrets.

Other Vogue editors have told me to live my life to the fullest now, because my social life will all but disappear once the magazine’s first issue is released.

Be prepared for everything that life might throw at you. You can never know how bad things are going to be.