The sharper edge to traveling in Asia

From Thumbelina to India: Bangkok Fashion Designer Nat Mangkang of Kloset

Written By: herbrunbridge - May• 31•10

One of the leading lights of the Bangkok fashion industry, Bangkok-born Nat Mangkang chuckles today when he recalls his studies in the field of Human Resources.  “I was always reading fashion magazines,” he remembers, “and I acquired a number of friends who loved fashion as much as I did.”  Soon, his friends were asking him to design clothes for them.  This small but significant endeavor eventually landed him a tiny shop in Siam Square, where he debuted his “Figure” brand.    His Siam Square neighbor was Natthavipha Ruangkritya, who, with sister Mollika, was launching the Kloset fashion brand. 

In 2001, the Ruangkritya sisters moved their operation to the Zen department store, and invited Nat to join them as a designer.  Nat’s first collection for Kloset was the “Country Girl” collection, a whimsical tribute to the American west, and introducing his butterfly motif, to evoke a “soft wing-like natural country girl.” 

Today, Nat’s casual fashions, with their French, Korean, Japanese, Indian, and Thai fabrics, and multi-faceted design elements, are representative of the evolution of his butterfly concept to his “Thumbelina” muse.  Designing primarily for younger women, he utilizes sheer Indian chiffon, hand-stitching, sequined borders, shoe-lacing, and embroidery.  His clothes have become popular in Kloset shops in Central Chitlom, Central Phuket, Emporium, Zen, and the Kloset flagship store in Gaysorn Plaza, and they are exported to Hong Kong and Singapore. 

Design philosophy 

“I envision my Thumbelina concept to make a woman feel like she’s floating on wings, combining cotton with soft chiffon tops, allowing women to have more fun, while still retaining an innocent charm.  I love mix-and-match, with lots of details.  Lots of women love to wear jeans, and I’ve created a softer look through colorful cotton, which I think women will love to wear.”  

At the young age of 30, Nat sees the quality of his clothing becoming more highly evolved through his sales in stores such as Kloset Gaysorn.  “Before, when I had my small shop, I couldn’t afford the best fabrics because the market just wasn’t there.  Now, even though I make clothes for all budgets, I can create intricate, beautiful designs of high quality.”  Nat Mangkang is an emerging, exciting designer whose work will soon, we believe, be seen increasingly in international shows and events. 

Nat’s designs are featured in Kloset shops at the department stores listed above.  For a comprehensive selection, visit the Kloset flagship store, 2nd floor of Gaysorn Plaza.  www.klosetdesign.com

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One Comment

  1. Hilario Pizzini says:

    Great site!

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