
If Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana intended the outfits in her spring-summer 2010 collection to turn guys' heads on the Riviera, she's certainly succeeded.
Unveiled last Wednesday, the clothes for her own Sirivannavari label were inspired by her travels along the French Riviera, around Cairo and between the Greek island of Santorini and Capri in Italy.
"The World is Not Enough" is the theme for the togs and accessories that gleam in the Mediterranean sun with the broad worldly knowledge that only travel can bring.
The Princess set out to create a new structure for the clothes, fusing hues and fabrics with a distinctive draping technique.
What evolved was a "sailor" look that entails a more elegant version of the classic gypsy skirt, using tulle and chiffon, and a kaftan and cocktail dress revitalised with asymmetric structuring.
Princess Sirivannavari credits Jean Paul Gaultier with elevating marine themes and blue stripes to lofty status in global fashion, but she's given her sailor diagonal stripes, which certainly sets a new course.
"While creating this collection I was training with Giorgio Armani, who taught me about fabric patterns, marketing and new looks," she says.
"Another designer I admire is Domenico Dolce of Dolce & Gabbana, who's a really calm person. Even after their shows had begun, he was still dressing the models one by one. He made me realise where the top priority is, where you should devote your time and attention. I learned to let the other elements flow."
The Sirivannavari women's collection has 48 feminine, elegant and sexy outfits that utilise an array of cutting techniques that lend a more dashing style to every occasion.
Mediterranean touches in both detail and decoration include muumuus, kaftans and baggy three-quarter-length pants.
High-quality fabrics and materials such as silk chiffon, silk satin, tulle, beads and gold thread vibrate in coral red, golden bronze and lime green against the main tones of ivory and navy.
And gracing each item are graphics hand-drawn by the Princess, among them the hearts and peacock feathers seen on the cropped trousers that match the sailor stripes of the shirts so well.
One delightful outfit pairs a draped shirt with a gypsy skirt in tulle and silk chiffon. A lame cocktail dress is accented with the same chiffon and made sexier by the draping at the back.
A satin kaftan with a fine, fluid hem is embellished with the heart print. A long evening dress in tulle and silk chiffon evokes a Greek goddess with embroidered beading and golden thread, further evidence of the delicate craftsmanship that is Sirivannavari's signature.
Rounding out the collection is a range of alluring white bikinis.
Princess Sirivannavari bought the exquisite beads she's used at a market in France. They form vibrant necklaces in red, electric fuchsia, burnt orange, mustard yellow, sky blue and turquoise, and are embellished with coral, seashells, colourful stones and crystals.
She's given scarves dazzling flourishes with her hand-drawn hearts, skulls and penguins, and completed the look with sandals, strap-happy high heels, a clutch bag with a heart and a delightfully feminine bow, and a shoulder bag in white and navy with a leather ribbon as its drawstring.
The S'Homme men's collection follows suit in eight outfits that are value-added with hats, scarves, totes and necklaces.
"A man also has the right to accessorise," the Princess chuckles. "He doesn't have to dress like an old uncle all the time!"
The collection is casual and relaxed in Mediterranean white, natural beige, navy and black, the main items set off with bright red scarves and Panama hats or backpacks and handbags made of linen.
There are trousers with drawstrings and linen shirts pleated at the front with black trim at the collars.
Ahoy, sailor!
The spring-summer 2010 collection is now available at the Sirivannavari boutique at F Zen Design Showcase on the first floor of Zen Department Store.
See more of Princess Sirivannavari's artistic talent in the "How I See It" exhibition at the Thailand Creative Design Centre on the sixth floor of the Emporium.
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