Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana’s new fashion collection mixes European heritage and Asian abundance with highbrow streetwear – but is it any good?

Dec 18 , 2019

Thai princess Sirivannavari Nariratana recently unveiled the latest collection from her eponymous fashion brand Sirivannavari Bangkok. Photo: Instagram

Fashion

For her latest autumn/winter collection, Thai Princess Sirivannavari unveiled 34 looks, including 7 for menswear collection S’Homme, plus jewellery from her Sirivannavari Bijoux line – but how do the royal’s works match up to global competition?

A quick trip to Bangkok and you’ll notice that it's a fashion-conscious city for pretty much every stratum of society, from your cafe hipster to your mall-going teen and, of course, its royal family.

Thailand, after all, is a country drenched in a history of colourful art and culture. A quick trip to a temple or street market and you'll notice the vibrant, maximalist, ornate architecture mixed with a sense of plentifulness and variety. So, it came as no surprise when Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana announced herself as a fashion designer with an eponymous label and boutique located at Siam Paragon. Over the years, she’s created quite a name for her eponymous Sirivannavari Bangkok brand having presented several times in Paris, once at the behest of French luxury house Pierre Balmain.

For her latest autumn/winter collection, the princess took elegance to a new level with 34 looks – seven of which were part of her menswear collection S’Homme – adorned with jewellery from her Sirivannavari Bijoux line for a complete look. The princess does not skimp on the details.

On the catwalk, there was a strong showing of tweed and houndstooth suits, cape coats and Napoleonic jackets. Gingham skirts nodded to European heritage, while the vibrant colours, embellishment, finishing and sense of abundance was very much Thai.

The collection was undoubtedly for a jet-setting woman who can leave the country's tropical climates for an actual winter destination requiring layers. There is also a sense of evening wear sophistication with the well-structured suits, jackets and skirts made from densely woven fabrics like brocade contrasted with metallic, vibrant silk. It has holiday party written all over it, especially the dress with a strapless bodice constructed with a juxtaposing electric pink graphic print for the top half, and a dark gingham fabric for the bottom half. It’s both youthful and chic.