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The Bangkok Fashion City campaign, headed by the Ministry of Industry, has announced the upcoming Bangkok Fashion Week, one of 11 projects under the Bangkok Fashion City banner.
The Ballroom of the Conrad Hotel was recently transformed into a fashion installation. Designers from 20 leading fashion houses presented samples from their collections at the press conference announcing the Bangkok Fashion Week, which will be held later in the year.
The event was presided over by Assistant to the Industry Minister, Parnpree Bahiddhanukara, along with director of the Bangkok Fashion City Project Pramode Vidtayasuk, and Ponlawat Sook-charus, chairman of AV Projects Co Ltd, which is handling the arrangements for the Fashion Week.
According to Ponlawat, the aim of Bangkok Fashion Week is to upgrade the image of the Thai fashion industry in three sectors – the textile and garment industry, the gems and jewellery industry and the shoe and leatherwear industry – and to promote Thailand as an industry leader in the region.
“Furthermore, Bangkok Fashion Week aims to promote Thai products and give a brand identity that will allow them to gain acceptance in the world market. That should allow Thailand to become the centre of the quality fashion trade in the region. The first Bangkok Fashion Week will be a proclamation that Thailand is ready to propel itself onto the world stage in terms of fashion.”
Bangkok Fashion Week 2005 will be Thailand’s first major fashion event of international standard and is supported by the government sector and has the cooperation of the private sector in the three fashion sectors represented.
Bangkok Fashion Week will take place over two periods, based on the fashion seasons. The first will be August 17 to 21, and the second, March 15 to 19, 2006. Both will be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) and Benjakitti Park.
The events will bring together catwalk shows as well as trade shows. The catwalk shows will feature two segments: the main catwalk show, which will highlight leading designers of established brands who will present their creations under a Fashion Dome set up in the middle of the Water Garden, Benjakitti Park. The independent catwalk shows, on the other hand, will highlight the work of up-and-coming young designers including students of fashion institutes around the country whose work is recognised as outstanding and unique. They will present their creations in the Plenary Hall of the QSNCC.
Thai designers have come out in force in support of the catwalk show, and include Nagara, Metta, Issue, Grey, Senada, Kloset, Anurak, Zenith, Tube Gallery, Fly Now, Mae Fah Luang, S318 (Kornkanok), AB-Normal, and Tango. Also gracing the catwalk will be the creations of HSH Princess Siriwanwaree Mahidol that will inaugurate the catwalk series on opening day.
Equally impressive will be the Trade Show which will take place over the same period. August 17 to 18 will be reserved for trade-to-trade discussions, while the fair will be open to the public on August 19 to 20. Outstanding designers from all three sectors of the industry will be exhibited in a separate section called the “Designer's Showcase” that will represent the best of Thai design. Other sections of the trade fair will present design work by students of various fashion design institutes, with consultations offered to those interested in studying in this field.
To provide a more solid base for fashion entrepreneurs and the general public, there will also be seminars led by specialists in the fashion industry, both local and international.
The beauty of Thai gems and jewellery will be enhanced during the “Jewellery Gala Night” which will take place in the Grand Ballroom of the QSNCC on August 18, invited industry professionals and the media in attendance.
On a more casual level, which will encourage networking, there will be a Bangkok Fashion Week after party on August 21, to be held in a giant and elaborate marquee.
The grand finale of the Bangkok Fashion City launch announcement was the unveiling of the “Thai Showcase”, hidden behind a black curtain. The fashion installation featured Thailand's leading models posing as live mannequins in creations by the 20 participating designers.
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banner
claiming to support a particular set of ideas
installation
a piece of modern sculpture that is made using sound, light, etc. as well as objects
preside over
to lead or be in charge of a meeting, ceremony, etc
sector
a part of an area of activity, especially of a country’s economy
brand identity
the characteristics associated with a brand
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proclamation
an official statement about something important that is made to the public
established
respected or given official status because it has existed or been used for a long time
up-and-coming
likely to be successful and popular in the future
inaugurate
to officially open a building or start an organisation with a special ceremony
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represent
to be an example or expression of something
consultation
a formal meeting to discuss something
enhance
to increase or further improve the good quality, value or status of somebody/something
mannequins
a model of a human body, used for displaying clothes in shops
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— YINGYONG UN ANONGRAK