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Published on October 12, 2007

Designer Sunida Wongscha-Um uses Thai fabric to create her line of unique colourful, handmade footwear and other accessories under the label Latino. A graduate of University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce's School of Accountancy, Sunida launched Latino around seven years ago in Chatuchak Weekend Market. She branched out with a second shop at Chatuchak Plaza.

   The store contains a pile of handmade footwear including sandals, wedge shoes, boots and slippers. Most products feature durable jute threads that are woven by artisans in Ubon Ratchathani province. Some items are made of other materials such as water hyacinth from Bangsai Arts and Crafts Centre. Jute fabrics, cotton threads and textiles also come from Chiang Mai.

   "I want to reflect Thai culture through my own designs, so I use many natural materials like jute threads and cotton fabrics to produce a unique range of shoes," says Sunida "My designs focus on vivid colours and traditional patterns that are applied from traditional Thai fabric."  

   The items come in pastels and vibrant shades of green, orange, purple, pink, grey, yellow, bright blue and brown. 

   Apart from a wide range of unique footgear, the Latino produces other items, including bucket hats, shoulder bags and scarves made of hemp textiles.

   There is also a beautiful line of handmade Indian-style ornaments featuring beads and leathers. The collections are earrings, necklaces, ankles and bracelets. The store also offers a range of magnetic fabric bags imported from Nepal.

   Latino's products are exported to Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Italy and France. In addition to Chatuchak Plaze, Latino has two stalls in Chatuchak Weekend Market. The store accepts custom orders, too.

 

Patches

Patchwork cotton fabric is used to make a bucket hat (Bt290) and a shoulder bag (Bt250). There are many designs and colours.

Flowery

Made from water hyacinth, this collection of wedge-heel shoes and sandals features flowers and comes in green, orange and natural colours. Prices are Bt250 to Bt290.

Strapped

Heel-enclosed sandals include a red-and-yellow pair with a trapezoidal pattern made of jute, or a pair made of cotton and jute includes yellow-red shoes featuring trapezoid pattern is made from jute, or a dark blue and black pair that is made of jute and cotton (Bt650).

These boots

Playful little booties are made of cotton and come in shades of pink or blue (Bt750).

Rainbow wearer

Cotton-thread slippers comes come with stripes of orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and pink. Prices range from Bt390 to Bt650, depending on the design.

Slip ons

 

Smooth, laid-back slippers are Bt390 and come in a variety of colours and patterns.

Cute boots

These boots are made of cotton and denim. Priced at Bt650, there are many sizes and colours.

Shuffle off

With no backstrap or heel enclosure, this relaxed slipper design comes in various colours and styles.

 Pattarawadee Saengmanee