Meet Bangkok's best custom womenswear designers
Get the tailor-made evening gown of your dreams at Bangkok’s most-trusted dress-makers.
This luxe evening-wear label founded by designer Chai Jiamkittikul offers a modern breath of fresh air when it comes to evening gowns. Exuding understated and exquisite femininity, the label is best known for red carpet-worthy gowns that combine a modern take on the traditional Thai shawl-like garment sabai with unique draping techniques. Think lustrous satin gowns with voluminous drapes falling from your shoulder, or the alluring, one-shoulder sabai-inspired silk gown with bow detail at the waist. The effect? Exotic goddess. Chai’s dresses usually come in shades of gold, deep burgundy or emerald green, as well as with wildflower prints. Dresses are tailor-made based only on the label’s designs, which usually take around three weeks to a month to complete. They also offer a ready-to-wear range, available at EmQuartier and Siam Paragon.
Price: From B10,000-B30,000 depending on designs and materials used.
2/F, Qurator Zone, EmQuartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-276-6252. Open daily 10am-10pm. Instagram: @chaigoldlabel
Kanokkan Ngaosalee, Owner of Eclair Hands Nail Studio
"I choose Chai Gold Label for their timeless style. I don’t like evening gowns that are too typical or too fancy. Chai’s dresses are minimal and understated, but the unique details set them apart from other brands. I like how I can pair, say, an emerald green dress with only one piece of vintage jewelry or a simple clutch and already get a complete look. Less is more with this brand."
When it comes to minimal evening gowns and wedding dresses with elegant-chic flair, Cher’Z should be one of your go-tos. Their specialty: really stylish yet understated and timeless wedding dresses and evening gowns that help bring out every woman’s femininity. From soft, flowy cocktail dresses and sassy, peplum gowns to sophisticated wedding dresses, this dressmaker can do them all. The wide range of fabrics includes silk organza and silk duchess satin, which are ideal for adding that dreamy, ethereal touch to evening gowns. Feel free to bring design references to show to the tailors and they’ll help make your ideas come to life. Dresses usually take 7-14 days, but the tailors can speed things up for you if you’re in a hurry. Their ready-to-wear pieces are also available at 2/F, Qurator Zone, EmQuartier, if you’re not too fussed about getting your dress tailor-made.
Price: From B14,500 for evening gowns and cocktail dresses and B65,000 for custom-made wedding dresses.
88 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 095-962-5565. Open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. BTS Asoke (flagship store) www.fb.com/cherzdress
Praewpetch “Nina” Kankiatkul, Beauty Influencer from Nina BeautyWorld
"I usually come to Cher’Z to get my dresses tailor-made. I personally love their designs and their craftsmanship is spot-on. Every time I get my dresses tailored here, they fit me perfectly on the first try. My Chinese wedding dress was custom-made here as well."
If owning a stunning, red carpet gown seems far-fetched to you, then check out this tailor for one-of-a-kind evening dresses that will suit the most special of occasions. House of Narong is the real deal. Founder and designer Narong Ketkaew has established himself as a long-time favorite among Bangkok’s rich and famous. A staple of leading runways and award shows, his work has appeared on Bangkok International Fashion Week and The Face Thailand. Show-stopping evening gowns are the specialty, along with cocktail and wedding dresses that demonstrate killer tailoring and exquisite embroidery. From a beaded bodysuit or silk full skirt to sexy low-cut sequin jumpsuits and lustrous, bohemian style wedding gowns, Narong’s design range is limitless. Make your appointments with the designer himself or two other in-house designers. They will spend at least one hour with you, first discussing the exact design you want and then taking your measurements. As with any one-of-a-kind evening gown, don’t expect your dress to be done quickly—it could take up to two months, or four months if it’s a wedding dress.
Price: From B10,000 but B40,000-50,000 is the average depending on design and materials.
63 Nang Linchee Soi 3, 02-286-9879. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm. Instagram: @narong_official
Pamme Lim, Youtuber/Blogger and CEO of Beeline Tours & Travel
"What I like most about House of Narong is their super-neat craftsmanship, plus they give you really good recommendations and advice in terms of style and etiquette, like what dress is appropriate for which occasion. Other places I’ve been to, sure, they can make dresses but they lack the knowledge about good etiquette."
A sophisticated evening dress that can be worn again as cool everyday wear? Yes, they do exist. Known for their whimsical, fashion-forward, asymmetric and deconstructed dresses as well as loose-fitting silhouette pieces including shirts, blazers and pants, this womenswear label owned by designer Platt “Mai” Pladhi is beautifully versatile. Pair a midi-length dress with a smart blazer and heels for a business meeting or dress it down with your favorite designer sneakers or boyish brogues for a casual lunch date. If you want something more glamorous and dramatic, the label also offers “formal” evening gowns, as seen in their latest Thai Silk Capsule Collection 2018. Bring your references to the tailors to discuss with them the style of dress you want, then they will help you sketch out ideas and choose the materials according to your budget. Dresses usually take at least two weeks to make (for simple, uncomplicated styles), but if you’re in a hurry, the tailor can finish it within seven days. You can also check out their ready-to-wear collections at 1/F, Thai Designer Zone, Siam Paragon, and 2/F, Qurator Zone, EmQuartier.
Price: From B30,000 depending on designs and materials used.
172/6 Pridi Banomyong Soi 14, 02-381-8512. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Instagram: @realisticsituation
Jongkol Tangpradit Palarit, Fashion Editor at Vogue Thailand
"For evening gowns or dresses for special occasions, I always go to Mai [Realistic Situation’s head designer]. I hardly ever need to tell him what style of dress I want—I trust him to make the dress that he thinks will suit my style and personality. I’m always surprised by his vision and I’m never disappointed with the result. "
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