Bangkok--Sep 24--Tourism New Zealand
Three Thai designers have marked a memorable history for Thai fashion design by winning four prestigious awards at the unique World of Wearable Arts in Nelson, New Zealand.
Supported by Tourism New Zealand, Thailand Textile Institute, Taxila Fashion School, Air New Zealand and Central Pattana Group, they have joined the contest and finally brought home prestigious awards that give Thailand a strong profile in the international design arena.
Seephum Srisopa walked home with the first prize in “Scenic Circles Hotel Bizarre Bra” category with his “Hot Speaker” — a unique combination between a bra and microphones.
Krissada Thongpan grabbed first prize in the “Bowater Toyota Children’s Section” with his “Mascot of a Child’s Dream”
Vasupar Asavasupreecha’s “Fly of Memory” won first prize in “Main Power Creative Excellence Award” and second prize in “Nelson City Council Reflective Surfaces” section.
Unique to New Zealand, the WOW Awards take place every year in Nelson and mixes clothing with international art. This year’s event has attracted more than 200 entries from 32 countries around the world. However, only 30 of them went home with the prestigious awards in different categories.
Inspired by New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clarke, Seephum said the female politician sparked his idea for the design for his entry. The bra is equipped with microphones, pointing back at the wearer.
Prime Minister Helen Clarke, who attended the show, said that Seephum’s design resembled her at a news conference “with all the microphones coming out.”
Helen Clarke said designers from Thailand had brought a new dimension to the World of WearableArt Awards with their fascinating entries.
“I was delighted to hear that I had inspired the designer who won the Bizarre Bra award!” said Clarke. In recent years, the Prime Minister has twice modeled WearableArt designs herself.
“WearableArt is a new arts genre, developed in New Zealand, but now benefiting from worldwide interest with Thai designers producing inspirational and winning works.” Helen added.
Initiated by Thai Designer Association last year, “Dare to Win: Road to World of WearableArt aimed to support Thai fashion cycle. The association’s president and founder of Taxila Fashion School, Mr. Chakrit Chawanarojanaruji said the project also encouraged Thai students to participate in such an international competition as WOW. The project is supported by Taxila Fashion School, Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Thailand Textile Institute and Central Pattana Plc.
Last year, designer Vorachai Tongon from Thailand also won Avant-Garde category with his “Nok-yoong” (“Peacock”). The winning award did not only mark the first step to success for the country, but also showed the potential of Thai designers.
Earlier this year, WOW’s creator Suzie Moncrieff flew to Thailand for pre-selection. Thirteen sets by Thai designers passed the selection. “It has shown that our designers are second to none,” said Chakrit, also founder of Taxila Fashion School.
WOW has become a trademark for New Zealand that attracts thousands of people around the world to the south island. The event should be an interesting case for Thailand to follow, said Wirat Tandejanurat, director of Thailand Textile Institute.
“Supporting the project is a way to help broaden the perspectives of Thai students towards the world of fashion as well as to better the local fashion standard,” he added.
To select only the very best works from every corner of the world, the honorable judges of the show, who have been invited to join this year’s panel, were various experts in the field of art and design.
The panel included Oscar winning set designer from “The Lord of the Rings” Dan Hennah; Dunedin fashion designer Margarita Robertson; previous Supreme Montana WOW Award winner Simon Hames of Wellington, Nelson artist Sally Burton and the WOW creator Suzie Moncrieff, who is also the Art Director of the show.
Krissada Thongpan’s work won the heart of the judges with comments of “such a positive, inspirational piece”. What impressed them was the beautiful construction of this “childlike fantasy”, and the way it moved as well as its “shimmering quality”. “It is perfect in every way,” said one of the judges.
Meanwhile the judges praised Vasupar Asarasupreecha’s work of wearable art made out of film negatives and printed film as “something that jumped out at you” as a beautifully reflective surface.
After being held annually in Nelson for 17 years, Trafalgar Center in Nelson began to get too small for this world event. To cater for an increasing demand, the World of WearableArt Awards 2005 will be staged in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, which is ready in economics, rich in art and cultural activities, excellent infrastructure and enthusiastic population.
However, the Headquarter of WOW will continue to be based in Nelson. All the process from administration, pre-selection judging and the museum will be operated in the city. And Nelson will always be remembered as the birthplace of WOW.
The project sponsors will hold a welcome-home party to celebrate their achievement on Wednesday 29th September 2004 at 1800 hours Retro Life, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
For further information, please contact
Suwarat Sajamark
Tel : 0 2978 6719
Fax : 0 2978 6720 End.
--InfoQuest (NM)--