Making headway in Thailand’s growing fashion scene is Pellevah, a local brand specialising in exotic leather handbags. Although founded in 2013, in recent years it has sought to reinvent itself and the man entrusted with the task of taking the business to new heights is German general manager Markus Sigrist.
Prior to moving to Thailand Sigrist’s career took him on multiple enriching paths with some of the world’s leading companies, journeys through which he was able to hone his expertise in the marketing of luxury goods. As he says himself, “I had a practical education. I didn’t go down the traditional university route but I’ve done okay for a young lad from a small town in the Black Forest.” In his early 20s he joined Chopard as a sales manager for Germany and Holland. Executive positions at Italian high jewellery manufacturer Picchiotti followed before he was headhunted by the LVMH Group to become a sales director for one of its brands. “I was always up for a challenge and after that I was the worldwide sales director for Nymphenburg Porcelain,” he says. He also worked for art book publisher Taschen before founding his own consultancy for companies entering the Asian market.
Sigrist’s love of new challenges is what led him to Pellevah. “I saw a job vacancy and here I am,” he laughs. “Being able to help a brand evolve and succeed is
something I really enjoy. With Pellevah, the idea is to have our current boutique at the Anantara Siam as our flagship store whilst expanding our presence and brand awareness internationally,” he says. “However, given the current pandemic we have had to put some things on a hold. Instead, we are currently focused on strengthening our presence in the digital world with an online outlet, an enhanced website and Instagram.” The 54-year-old adds, “Ultimately, our goal is to make Pellevah a real contender in the international area. I want the brand to be a visionary example of what the next generation of exotic leather bags should resemble. I visited Thailand for the first time in 1993 and frankly, on my return in 2018 I realised this market has not changed. There is still room for innovation in both design and production techniques.”
At Pellevah the ultimate goal is to preserve the beauty of traditional craftsmanship but combine it with the use of premium materials. This fresh take boasts details that are uncommon on exotic leather, such as the incorporation of precious metals, studs and hardware. Sigrist has assembled a team that includes local artisans and a leather designer from Germany, a former employee of Alexander McQueen. “Whatever we do it’s important that our DNA permeates all our creations,” he says. “That is to say, Bangkok’s multifaceted charm and incredible contradictions, the unique spirit of the city. This is the source of our creative designs and our key strength.”
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