If it weren’t for that one day—it had to be Thursday of course—last week would have been a relatively relaxing week. Monday was a holiday and I went to one event each on Tuesday and Friday. However I did attend two on Saturday, a day I normally try not to go anywhere as it is supposed to be my day of rest. Anyway, if I ever felt the tiniest prick of guilt about showing up at fewer events, that Thursday pretty much made up for the reduced activity schedule.
#1: Stella McCartney
I went to a total of six affairs that day. After a quick lunch, I dashed off to EmQuartier for Stella McCartney’s All Together Now collection inspired by The Beatles’ film Yellow submarine. Can’t believe it’s been 51 years since that movie came out—and I was then a hormonal teenager with the world ahead of me. The pop-up features psychedelic interpretations of women’s and men’s ready-to-wear presented by distributor Club 21.
At Stella McCartney with a jumper of the Fab Four
My next stop was St Regis for the Gems of the Sea afternoon tea organised by the hotel and Misis Italian jewellery brand. Dr Thitiporn Sathavornmanee, importer of Misis, introduced five collections influenced by the beauty under the sea, which were interpreted into sweet and savoury tea offerings. Presided by Italian ambassador HE Laurenzo Galanti, the afternoon included a fashion show of the jewellery with clothes by designer Karatphet Issara. The tea is available until September 30.
Gems of the Sea tea at St Regis with Karatphet Issara, Claudia Piaserico of Misis, Dr Thitiporn Sathavornmanee, St Regis GM Klaus Christiandl and HE Laurenzo Galanti
On to Central World where popular ace designer Polpat Asavaprabha was unveiling his first-ever men’s collection at a pop-up store. Called after his nickname Moo, the brand features urban casual wear including collaborations with other brands such as Mc Jeans for the denim items. As was to be expected, the venue was crowded with his many well-wishers and supporters.
With Polpat Asavaprabha and MR Usnisa Sukhsvasti at Moo launch
Another designer, Disaya Sorakraikititkul, previewed her fall-winter collection at the Disaya boutique at Central Embassy. Due to give birth any day now, the designer wasn’t there in person but her creations spoke of a world inspired by the circus and stylised sun and moon motifs. The new collection is available now.
New collection launch at Disaya
Also at Central Embassy, at Siwilai Store, was the presentation of Patcharavipa Ephemere, a jewellery collection by Patcharavipa Bodiratnangkura working with London-based designers Soft Baroque and OK-RM. Presented were the Twisted Campaign and Soft Baroque collections that explore scale and form, and function and appearance. Mother Sanhapit, sister Naphaporn and aunt Bilaibhan Sampatisiri were there to support Patcharavipa at the launch
With jewellery designer Patcharavipa Bodiratnangkura at Siwilai launch
And finally, dinner at Gaysorn Village’s Paste to experience the collaboration between its award-winning chef Bongkoch Satongun and chef Maxime Gilbert of the two Michelin-star Ecriture in Hong Kong. There were 11 courses (not counting the amuse bouche and palate cleanser) so there was really a lot of food, so much so I had to opt out of the final two dishes. But being a sweet person, I couldn’t say no to the dessert, which meant I had great difficulty getting up from the table after. The enjoyable meal by two talented chefs ended a very long day for me.
With Chef’s Maxime Gilbert and Bongkoch Satongun at Paste
On Friday was the launch of the Banyan Tree Residences Riverside Bangkok by developer Nirvana Daii, part of Singh Estate. The luxury riverfront condominium is just a bit beyond IconSiam and boasts 133 units with only four to a floor. To underpin its luxury image, high-end brands such as Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, Christie’s, Piper Heidsick and Cortina Watch displayed their products at the event. The opening was officiated by Chutinant Bhirombhakdi of Singh Estate and Sornsak Somwattana of Nirvana Daii, after which there was a projection mapping show on the building. This was followed by a private viewing of the lounge and rooms, for the high-profile guests, some of whom had been invited by Thailand Tatler.
With Duangkamol Vephula and Sornsak Somwattana at Banyan Tree Residences launch
Having to run all over town on Thursday followed by the viewing of the facilities at Banyan Tree Residences the next day in high heels, all I wanted to do was rest on Saturday. But it was not meant to be. I couldn’t miss the wedding of Nant Thananan, who was a lifestyle writer at Thailand Tatler for several years, to Arissra Ampai at InterContinental Bangkok. The event was presided by former prime minister Anand Panyarachun.
With the bridal couple
Since I had to make-up and dress up for the wedding, I decided to kill another bird with the same stone so dropped by earlier at Shone Puipia’s launch of his new collection The Brighter World. This is Shone’s second collection and as the son of two contemporary artists, Pinaree Sanpitak and Chatchai Puipia, his works have an artistic quality to them. The fashion show presenting 22 looks was held at his atelier at Soi Suanplu.
With Shone Puipia and a model at his fashion show
The event on Tuesday, which was a press conference for the Bangkok Independent Watchmaking Exhibition. This will be the first time the event is to be held, from September 4 to 8, at Gaysorn Village, featuring 18 independent watchmakers. There will also be a charity auction of eight exclusive handcrafted timepieces conducted by Christie’s to raise funds for HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati’s Kamlangjai Project.
With Jimmie Tay, organiser of the Bangkok Independent Watchmaking Exhibition
Previously: Naphalai’s Diary: July 22-28
