Ten reasons why Thailand is the haute-est fashion hub.
1. We've proven that you can be high fashion regardless of your budget.
Photo: Fb.com/milk.say
While classic beauties in expensive dresses made headlines at Cannes, back home we celebrated the remarkable imagination of a simple girl from Ratchaburi whose homemade shrimp-cracker gown "prawned" the Ralph & Russo Haute Couture Spring Summer 2016 dress Miss Araya wore.
2. And actually, we've been doing "broke-Vogue" for a few years now.
Photo: Fb.com/madaewAPC
Photo: Fb.com/lowcostcosplay
Take "Madaew", for example. The boy from Khon Kaen was discovered at the age of 15 creating some of the most complex couture looks out of everyday materials. Or "Maeban Mee Nuad", a humble homie whose only vanity is his love for homemade gowns with outrageously long trains. Then of course, there's senpai himself, internet sensation Anucha "Cha" Saengchart of "Lowcostcosplay", whose quirky pix got picked up by international media outlets like 9gag and the Daily Mail.
3. Make-up doesn't get more organic than this.
Photos: goo.gl/wJjG6X
Up until recently, it's been a solemnly-kept national secret that rambutans looked like eyelashes all along.
4. Our educators have hairstyles beyond fleek.
Photos: Fb.com/acrnb
A few Thai teachers have drawn positive attention to their schools using a physics-defying hairstyle that stands up exactly 14 centimetres above scalp level. Though the "windshield" pompadour is a common ajarn look, such elevation takes boss-level hairdressing skills and a rare sense of individuality in the conformist subculture of the teachers' lounge.
5. We don't just wear accessories cause they look good, but also because we want to get into med school. Wait, whaa?
Three Rangsit University med school hopefuls suspiciously exited the exam room at an early 45-minute mark, at the same time, with matchy-matchy smartwatches and camera-equipped spectacles. Of course, they were caught. No one's supposed to look that chic on a test day.
6. We're so fabulous, international fashion houses copy us from time to time, but it's all mai pen rai.
Photo: Twitter@prazerprazer
Did Balenciaga copy the design of our rainbow Sampeng bags or did Balenciaga copy the design of our rainbow Sampeng bags? Either way, it's okay. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right Kate Spade New York?
7. We've made our clothes heat and sweat-resistant.
Photo: Fb.com/ponlawat.roigaew
With the advent of cooling sanitary napkins, we've realised that vaginas aren't the only places that could use the soothing, icy freshness of these adhesive pads. One male Facebook user reviewed his DIY-sanitary napkin-lined shirt as "not just averagely cold —but f*cking freezing!"
8. -- and rainy season-resistant.
Emma Watson stupefied people at this year's Met Gala with an outfit made entirely of recycled plastic. But Thais have been reusing plastic as purposeful fashion since the beginning of time, or since we've had 7-Eleven. Why buy rain boots or carry umbrellas around during the rainy season when plastic shoe bubbles and hats can keep you superbly dry from head to toe?
9. We just won Asia's Next Top Model. #TeamTawan
Photo: Asia’s Next Top Model
And this isn't the first time. Jessica Amornkuldilok also took home the prize for Thailand in the very first season of the show. Not to mention all the other times Thais caught the eyes of huge fashion photogs. #ChrissyTeigen #14YearOldBoyFromKanchanaburi.
10. Lastly, we have no shame in wearing our culture so literally.
Photo: Sunya Yamaka
Following the success of Miss Thailand's tuk-tuk suit, Thai designers have been extra eager to take cultural costume design to the next level for the upcoming Mrs Universe competition. And just when we thought a golden Buddhist stupa dress would be the most avant garde thing to ever grace the pageant stage, our ministry of culture is going deeper, demanding an outfit based on our staple foods of fish and rice, which is even more stupendous.
