Sustainability and creativity take center stage at BIFW2024
Earlier this month, Bangkok hosted the Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion Week 2024 (BIFW2024), showcasing a wide array of fashion innovations. The event, held from October 2-6, 2024, brought together renowned Thai and Asian designers in a series of shows that highlighted the latest trends in fashion. This year’s theme, “Envision the Future,” emphasized sustainability, a crucial aspect of the global fashion industry's evolution.
The week opened with a captivating presentation by renowned Korean designer Lie Sangbong, who unveiled "Coexistence: Architecture & Humanity." This line blended traditional Korean architectural elements with modern design, offering a fresh perspective on how past and present can coexist on the runway.
An exciting collaborative show followed, as Absolute Siam teamed up with Dry Clean Only and Korean label AJOBYAJO, merging Thai and Korean streetwear with a sporty twist. The showcase featured pop culture references, reimagined band shirts, and vintage influences, creating a dynamic mix of streetwear and sportswear.
Playful offerings from Kloset and MOO Bangkok also turned heads. Kloset transformed the runway into the “Kloset Hotel,” showcasing 1970s-inspired looks in soft pastel tones. Meanwhile, MOO Bangkok, led by Moo-Polpat Asavaprapha, brought its signature fusion of preppy, vintage, and uniform aesthetics to life with cool, stylish menswear designed for everyday wear.
Sustainability played a pivotal role in BIFW2024, with several designers exploring innovative approaches to reduce fashion’s environmental impact. Painkiller Atelier's "Hilltribe Residency" showcased a blend of traditional hill tribe attire with contemporary streetwear, focusing on both cultural preservation and eco-conscious production methods.
Issue also embraced sustainability in its "Samsara” collection, a collaboration with PTT Global Chemical (GC). Led by Bhubawit Kritpholnara, it incorporated fabrics made from recycled PET plastic bottles, drawing inspiration from Buddhist philosophy and the cycle of life, expressed through intricate patterns and textiles.
Minimalism was a key element of Asava, where creative director and founder Moo-Polpat Asavaprapha crafted sleek, elegant designs that embodied femininity with a refined, eco-conscious edge. The pieces balanced simplicity with sophistication, offering a graceful aesthetic that reimagined classic fashion while proving that sustainability and elegance can coexist.
Vickteerut, under Aurapraphan Sudhinaraset, introduced "Eclipse," an Autumn/Winter 2024 showcase inspired by the solar eclipse of April 8. Creative Director Ornprapun Sutthinorasate interpreted this cosmic event through the theme of love, creating sharp, clean silhouettes that reflect the brand's signature tailoring. Geometric shapes were a central element, evident in the cuts, pleats, and decorative details, while the dark color palette—black, gray, navy, and brown—was punctuated by eyelets, floral prints, and metallic embellishments, capturing both strength and subtle romance.
The grand finale came courtesy of FlyNow, under the direction of Somchai Songwattana. Known for its avant-garde and theatrical presentations, the legendary Thai brand unveiled a striking array of bold, modern silhouettes combined with intricate craftsmanship. This dramatic flair and luxurious fabric selection pushed the boundaries of traditional fashion while the show itself celebrated the brand’s heritage and forward-thinking vision. FLYNOW’s standout presentation underscored its enduring influence as a pioneer in Thailand’s fashion industry.
Bangkok International Fashion Week 2024 was a multifaceted event that not only highlighted established designers but also promoted emerging talent through platforms like the Siam Center Visionary Stage, featuring work from students at 11 Thai universities. The occasion fused fashion with luxury, hosting exclusive showcases from global brands like Gucci and Bulgari, alongside pop-up shops from Miu Miu and Roger Vivier. BIFW2024 also hosted the WWD x Siam Piwat Global Fashion Spotlight, an international seminar that explored the future of luxury in Southeast Asia, further cementing Thailand’s growing influence in the global fashion scene.