Self-study and classroom lessons based on newspaper feature stories

This column is for self-study or classroom use and gives guided help with reading the wide variety of writing styles and topics that appear as feature articles in the Bangkok Post. The lessons include background information, skill-building practice and vocabulary explanations.

December 9, 2003

Talk of the town

INTRODUCTION

It was a month ago that the Elle Bangkok Fashion Week took place. But there is still discussion in the press and in social gatherings about bare breasts and what is appropriate in Thai culture. Critics and supporters have opinions about what should appear on the catwalk and what people should wear on the street. So the issue of fashion and Thailand’s place in the fashion world is still the talk of the town.

We certainly don’t have room for all that discussion here in feature focus. But we can look at a short article about one of four young designers profiled in a recent Outlook story. Thaweesak Samanmit’s story gives us a way to see and use some of the vocabulary of the world of fashion. We also get a personal look at this Thai designer who has made a name for himself.

As you read about Thaweesak, think about whether he is a good model for other young Thai professionals. Do you think he exhibits good Thai qualities? Are those qualities some of those below?
Personal and career profile

Here are some of the ways Thaweesak is described in the story. As you read, find examples of his words, actions or ideas that illustrate each characteristic.

He is independent:

He looks for challenges rather than finding the easy way:

He is humble:

He is content and happy:

In the story you will also find out about his career path. Here are two questions to think about as you read.

What kind of education did he have? Did that help him in his current career?

Where did he serve his apprenticeship (a period of time working for an employer in order to learn job skills)? What did he learn as an apprentice that serves him well in his present work?
Talking design

Here are some ways of talking about the fashion design industry. Most of them are from this story, but a few are added from stories about other designers. Those that are bold are defined in the vocabulary box below.
brand, launch, production, design, stock, marketing, trends, minimal, chic, vintage, character, geometric, debut, high-end, fabric, showcase, funky, hip, haute couture daywear, eveningwear, avant-garde, wearability,

As a follow-up activity, make a few brief notes to summarise Thaweesak’s story using as many of the design industry words as you can. Then use what you have summarised in converstaion with a friend or colleague. Or, you may want to make similar notes about your own favourite clothing designer and talk about that person and his or her clothing line.

OUR STORY FROM THE BANGKOK POST

Journey to the CATWALK
Four young designers who showcased their collections
at Elle Fashion Week reveal what it took to get there
Story by SAMILA SUTTISILTUM
Pictures by TOON AKKANIBUT

Know these words and phrases

content
being happy and satisfied

launch
to make a product available to the public for the first time; debut

minimal
using very simple ideas or a small number of simple things

chic
very fashionable and elegant

vintage
typical of a period in the past

geometric
using regular shapes (circles, squares, stars, etc) and lines

high-end
expensive

showcase (v)
to provide a place to show someone’s abilities

funky
unusual and fashionable

hip
fashionable

haute-couture
the design and production of expensive and fashionable clothes

avant-garde
new and very modern

unwarranted
not reasonable or necessary

deprived
without

abnormal
different from what is usual or expected

beamed
smiled happily

affirmative
positive

indie
(from independent) popular and produced by small companies or individuals

tousled
untidy

dictated
told what to do

acknowledge
to show that you have noticed

It has already been two weeks since the curtain fell on Elle Bangkok Fashion Week 2003. Yet the event is still the talk of the town, as much for the trail of stunning outfits as for the unwarranted sensation over exposed breasts.

In light of the government's campaign to promote Bangkok as a fashion hub, not enough space in local papers has been devoted to insightful discussion about the designers, many of whom struggled to get their collections to the catwalk. This is especially true of the young designers, whose dedication to the show included months of preparation; several transcontinental flights for research and inspiration; innumerable visits to museums, libraries and catwalks; sifting through piles of reference books; and spending sleepless-deprived nights at sewing machines.

Outlook caught up with four of these creative people (only one of them is presented here) who made their mark as Young Designers at fashion week to find out what went on behind the scenes.
THAWEESAK SAMANMIT

AB-NORMAL

Thaweesak Samanmit, the only designer of Ab-Normal is, well, a bit abnormal (in a good way). First, he is a science graduate from Mahidol University. Second, he insists on locating his little shop in a tiny dark corner under the almost forgotten Siam Cinema in Siam Square. Third, despite awards from Asia Collection Makuhari Grand Prix, Asia Designers Fashion Showcase and Thailand Fashion Designer Award on his résumé, he still enjoys designing high school cheerleaders' outfits and advertising campaign women's uniforms.

“All designers want to do shows,” he beamed with an affirmative tone. “But if I had to choose, living life the way I am now — making a living by making clothes — is enough happiness. I never wanted fame. I don't want to be put up high and later fall down. I only want to stay where I am and remain in this position on and on.”

At a first glance, Thaweesak perfectly fits the part of an art school indie kid with his tousled long hair, thin frame and tanned skin. However, he spent nearly a decade studying mathematics and science to become a doctor or a scientist — something he never had a passion for — simply because social values dictated that lifestyle.

But as soon as he left university, he enrolled in a weekend programme at Taxila Fashion School while working weekdays. No sooner had he completed the programme and a pattern-making course did he decide it was the time he listened to his heart. “I quit my job straightaway,” he said with a laugh.

Thaweesak's work experience included a design position for two clothing lines owned by Robinson Department Store where he learned a great deal about design, production, stock and marketing. When he launched his own brand, he had gained enough first-hand experience to help Ab-Normal remain the top brand in mid-priced markets for over five years.

Although he acknowledges trends, Thaweesak always makes sure what he designs is distinctly Ab-Normal with characteristics he describes as minimal, plain and chic.

“I really love to play with colours,” said Thaweesak. “At the beginning, we only did earth tones. Later, we launched a vintage line and more colours wree added, but they were not by any means bright colours. They are more like muddy pink and muddy yellow, and this will remain the character of Ab-Normal in the future.”

It was this minimalist geometric chic that he showcased at Elle Bangkok Fashion Week. He revealed that his challenge was how to put these geometric forms and stripes on cloth and make it interesting.

“I don't want to make beautiful cloth from already-beautiful materials,” he said. “My thing is about making a nice outfit from an ordinary-looking piece of fabric like plain cotton. It's a lot more challenging.”

After the success of his debut show, is there anything that this humble guy still feels he wants to achieve?

“I'm thinking about opening another shop in Siam Centre that deals with more of a medium- to high-end market,” said Thaweesak. “It will be like the stuff I did for the show. The quantity produced will be lower so the price will be higher. That's probably my highest aim. I want nothing more.”

• This lesson was prepared by Maureen Paetkau, a professional teacher of English as a second and foreign language and Assistant Manager and Webmaster for Learning Post at the Bangkok Post.

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