Bangkok--27 Aug--KITH & KIN Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair 2007 (BIFF&BIL 2007) delivered promising new designers to the world with the much-anticipated activity the 7th Thailand Fashion Designers Award (TFDA 2007) TFDA 2007 has reached its final round at the second day of BIFF&BIL, and the winner of this year’s contest is Chanoknan Mukdaphongsatorn, owner of the concept “Simulation”. This astounding combination of silk and wood is inspired by the global warming trend. The collection also won the popular vote from the visitors of the fair. “Phenomenon Romance”, the creation of Chulalongkorn University student, Paisan Tanakame that emphasizes on different materials such as technofabric and natural canvas and “Zen Line”, the collection by Rangsit University’s Bunyaratt Sitapan that uses natural fibers to convey the sense of comfort and relaxation, are the two runner-ups of the award. “TFDA 2007 has received great support from the government and private organizations. The award is the chance for young designers like us to express our creativity. My concept is Simulation. I got the inspiration from the global warming trend, where we have to use artificial trees instead of the new ones. “I have learned a lot from this contest. The Department of Export Promotion (DEP) invited the country’s renowned fashion designers to us great advice. The department also supports us with fabric from T3 project to use in our design,” said Chanoknan. The three winners were among the 10 finalists, all of whom were selected by Thailand’s most respected figures in fashion and export industries. The judges of this year’s contest included Supatra Srisook product development expert, Director of DEP’s Product Development Center M.L. Kathathong Thongyai, Fashion Designers Alberto Incanuti and Greyhound’s Jitsing Somboon. “In fact, there should have been five winners among the ten finalists. However, we are limited to select only three winners,” said Jitsing “we are not only using the presentation and the commercial value as our criteria, but we also balance between the aesthetic and commercial values. With their creativity, I am sure the finalists will be very successful internationally. Thailand’s leading show organizer and another judge of the award, Sombatsara Teerasaroch revealed that the winner could best answer to the criteria of this year’s contest, which stated that designers have to be able to show innovations in their designs; also, the designers have to adapt Thai materials to the international standard. The winner and runner-ups have been rewarded 70,000 baht, 50,000 baht and 30,000 baht respectively, as well as trophies, certificates and the chance to visit the world’s famous fashion trade show D&A in New York. Other highlights of yesterday’s fair include Tri-Urban, a fashion show with specially designed acrylic fiber collection by Thai Acrylic Fibre Co., Ltd., Rung Sab Knitters and Raffles Design Institute, and BIFF&BIL Selection, a showcase featuring mix-and-match collection from the fair’s exhibitors such as Hewgo, Ziroco, Kanitha, Intro. Both shows received overwhelming reception from visitors, whose number during the first two days of the fair has increased by 25 percent from the same period last year. Activities on August 24 include Top of ASEAN, outstanding fashion show from Thai and Malaysian’s avant-garde designers such as Gallo, Canven Ong Couture, Pusita, Classic Model and Phaotong and the last show of the fair features Icon of Bangkok, haute couture fashion show designed by legendary fashion designer Somchai “Kai” Kaewthong. BIF&BIL 2007 also features mini fashion shows from A-list fashion retailers in lingerie, handbags, footwear and children’s wear collections on August 23-24. BIFF&BIL 2007 is a not-to-miss event of the year with participation of more than 500 local and international companies on 22,000 sq.m. The fair expects over 33,000 visitors from 60 countries worldwide. BIFF&BIL 2007 is held on August 22-24, 2007 for trade and August 25- 26, 2007 for public at Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC), Bangna. For more information, please visit www.thaitradefair.com/fairin/biff07 or contact Nujaree Sriwanayos. Tel: 02 661 2442 Ext. 107.