Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Thailand Tales of Fashion And Other Stuff 4


Yesterday in Bangkok we did a LOT of stuff. It was a never ending day filled with succulent, delicious and beautifully coloured fruits, displays of great beauty and craftsmanship and super cool shop tours. And shopping. Lots of shopping. That's what happens when you take fashion people to stores, they shop. If you are ever in Thailand and you want to buy local, look for stores called AIIZ - they are 100% Thai and have AMAZING on-trend pieces. That mint green blouse with the collar - WITH COLLAR TIPS - will stay with me for a long time. Collar tips. Awesome.
The people we meet are so lovely and so appreciative of our interest in them, it blows my mind. I mean there are great opportunities for business, but my job here is to experience it all and tell you guys about it. Maybe I need to do it in person though, because I don't know if I am a good enough writer to convey  how gracious the people are, how cool the fashion is and how incredibly rich the cultural experiences. I am loving every minute of my time in this sensational city.
We did visit the Exhibition of the Masterpieces - essentially examples of the local crafts of Thailand. Ahem. Yes well, it is craft but not as we know it. This is artisan skills of the highest order. No little trinkets here - unless you mean the gold leaf clutch bags with filigree jewels as the clasp? Or maybe you mean the silk embroidered wall hangings that evoke more depth than Monet's Water Lilies? Or the hand carved wooden screen with stories to tell every time you see a new piece? Whatever you thought craft was, let me tell you it isn't that. It is gold and beads and beetle wings that shine and glisten like diamonds. These beetle wings put sequin to shame. I am determined that I shall posses a piece made with beetle wings before I leave these shores. Maybe not tomorrow, but some day soon. I'll keep you posted. Till then, I am off to the fashion fair. Later.
PS: Apparently thousands of the iridescent beetle wings from Thailand were used in the costumes for onse Charlize Theron in Snow White and the Huntsman costumes. I totally get it.