Online start-ups, stylish pop-up stores and arty designers are shaking up Bangkok’s retail landscape.

Web Boutiques

Bag Space

Zummetry

Started by a group of graphic designers in 2011, Zummetry’s clothing is instantly recognizable for its dark tones accentuated by colorful graphics. Supposedly inspired by nature, humanity and animals, the brand does men’s and women’s wear with an emphasis on unconventional shapes and patterns. Expect gray printed shorts and leggings and t-shirts with vibrant motifs. Prices range from B690-2,900. Their latest collection, When the Night is Not Dark, blends bottoms in black, gray and dark purple with lighter-colored printed tops. During Sep, order at www.symbolsofstyle.com. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/zummetry

Bag Space Shop

Launched a year ago, Bag Space has quickly grown in popularity thanks to its simple yet refined leather bags. Think dapper but understated working man. Prices range from B1,450-B6,250. We recommend the newly arrived 13” messenger bag in brown, B5,450. Order online at www.bagspace.in.th or call 080-8100-800.

Burgundy Dipper

Burgundy Dipper’s web/store has been up and running for three years now, carrying all the big names like Ray Ban, Quay, Super and Marc Jacobs. Apart from the product list, which gets updated daily, the shop is also known for having considerably cheaper price tags than mall retailers. Sunglasses start from B580, while headphones from the likes of Marshall and UrbanEars are also available, starting from B1,490. We really like the new Karen Walker Harvest shades in Black (B8,500). Order online at www.facebook.com/BurgundyDipperShop or visit their store at MRT Phaholyothin, Exit 3. 084-100-9902. Open daily 1pm-10pm.

Made of Fabric

Launched on Facebook at the end of 2011, this new brand deals in tailor-made women’s clothing with an emphasis on candy-colored pieces. Think plaid dresses and high-waisted bottoms in pastels with delicate lacing providing the final touch. Tailor-made dress starts from B3,000 and ready-to-wear-dress from B1,800. They’ve also just started selling heels in cute, girly colors like pink and purple. Our pick is the peach white dress taken from their third collection, B2,200. Order online at www.facebook.com/madeoffabric or call 081-391-1553.

Back to BACC

Happening Shop

Green Thai Product

Green Thai Product is all about saving the Earth by promoting the reuse of materials—think shopping bags made from old rice bags, iPad cases constructed from food packaging, diaries filled with recycled paper and pencil cases made from tires. The best thing is the items don’t scream “made from used materials”—the wallets in black and brown even resemble leather alternatives, and while your new folder might be made from a plastic bag it doesn’t look like it thanks to elegant use of simple colors and practical design. Prices start from B10-1,000. Do your bit for the environment and save your money with the plain wallet, B140. 3/F, BACC, Rama 1 Rd., 086-141-7385. BTS National Stadium.

Happening Shop

Having started off as a lifestyle magazine, Happening just got even closer to its readers through their newly-opened store. The focus isn’t so much on selling magazines but rather collaboration pieces with musicians and artists, like t-shirts, notebooks, postcards and bags. Expect t-shirts bearing art executed by the likes of Stylish Nonsense, Greasy Café and The Brown Bunny, hard-to-find albums from acts like P.O.P, Goose and Armchair, as well as notebooks with arty designs. Prices start from B30-1,500. The t-shirts particularly stand out, starting from B200-370, while the adorable cat postcard also rates a mention, B35. 3/F, BACC, Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630-8.

Artist Colors

Fittingly your first taste of Artist Colors is its vibrant window display, which gives you a taste of their stunning product range, from aprons to postcards to t-shirts, many of which are created in collaboration with renowned artists like Thaiwijit Puangkasemsomboon. Think black and white t-shirts with watercolor designs portraying everything from elephants to temple-inspired patterns and even a portayal of hell. Postcards start from B10 and t-shirts from B290. Their bags and aprons may feature floral and animal designs, but forget those traditional styles you’ve come across at Lumpini Night Plaza—these blend Thai aesthetics with real artistic touches; take, for instance, the elephant shopping bag, B190. 3/F, BACC, Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630-8.

Skin on Skin

At first glance Skin on Skin might look like a typical Siam Square dress shop, but step inside and you’ll soon recognize its subtle charms. Specializing in pastel-toned women’s tops and dresses with touches of leopard print and other animal-influenced design, what really stands out is the quality of the materials used in each piece. Figuring prominently is plenty of light silk chiffon imported from France that thankfully doesn’t carry a hefty price tag. Prices start from B1,800-31,000. One must-try is the newly-arrived pastel shirt in blue, B1,800. 3/F, BACC, Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630-8.

Pop-Up Stores

Niche Nation

Painkiller

Known for its minimalist men’s clothing featuring unique prints, Painkiller looks to create an enduring union between fashion and function. So instead of overt fanciness, the beauty is found in the details, from sharp cuts and patchworks to silk screen prints combined with the use of muted colors like camel, beige and blue. Their latest collection, The Collector, strives for an “urban-finesse” aesthetic with a color palette inspired by old paintings. Shades of gray and blue dominate while pants also come in simple hues like white and beige. Our favorite is the purple sweater, B1,550. Visit the pop-up store at Chatujak Market, Kampangpetch Rd., MRT Kampangpetch.

Something Boudoir

Run by the same team behind Disaya, Something Boudoir takes the aesthetics of a candy store and adapts it to sweet women’s apparel, accessories and stationery all sold at affordable prices. Expect plenty of polka dots and tones like pink, light blue and purple. Candy-colored watches, mugs, notebooks and even cameras are also available, carrying adorable biscuit and ice-cream imagery. Clothing starts from B1,150 and accessories from B85. Check out the mini cat’s face bag, B1,050. Their pop-up store is currently in front of Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1098. BTS Siam.

Spy U Fashion Space

Spy Cocktail and Wine Cooler’s first fashion retail space is a pop-up store that blends an exhibition with a restaurant and bar. It will host DIY fashion workshops and the sixth annual Siam Center Design Forward: Spy U Fashion Contest giving young talent the chance to launch a career as a fashion designer. There’s also an outdoor space on the second deck to wine and dine, with cocktail selections like mojito, magarita and maitai for B60 and cocktail tower for B450. Dishes like spaghetti green curry and springrolls are also available for B70 with menus to change spontaneously. Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1098. BTS Siam.

Niche Nation

Niche Nation stocks eyewear from niche international brands like Dita, Karen Walker, Moscot, Mykita and more that you can’t find most places here. With their shop in Thonglor under renovation, visit their pop-up store at We Do Gallery through Sep 7. Prices start from B6,000 and our fave is the special edition Super Basic Florida, B9,900. Sukhumvit Soi 55, 02-391-4866. BTS Thonglor.

Wonder Anatomie

Started by three siblings with a passion for prints, Wonder Anatomie focuses on women’s clothing and bags. Among the black and white suede tops featuring printed floral and butterfly designs, things like skulls also provide a slightly sinister touch. Tops start from B1,390 and bags from B4,790. We like the printed sleeveless suede top, B3,590, and the black printed jacket, B6,190. Their pop-up store is currently in front of Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1098. BTS Siam.

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