My favourite Thai designers to check out in Bangkok

What makes shopping in Bangkok for me a little different from that of the awesomeness in Seoul and Taipei is that through my various weekend getaways here, I’ve discovered some favourite Thai designers that I always end up buying things from whenever I pop into their shop.

So the latest designer fashion in Bangkok is a fruity obsession:

like, so fashion forward. This was a really weird trend in all the accessories shops we came across

Ok I kid, Bangkok’s designers are more creative than that, and have totally caused my shoe cabinet to balloon. Check it out:

Madame Flamingo by Pantila

I first encountered Madame Flamingo in a little store in Singapore’s Kampong Glam area way back when I first started working – it was so comfortable and I wore it all the time because it straddled work and casual-wear equally well, and it lasted me quite a long time, only finally breaking down end 2011. That particular line was long discontinued so I tried to revive it by getting a similar pair copied in Vietnam’s famous tailor and shoemaker district Hoi An, but it’s never quite been the same as the original.

Madame Flamingo style tends to be bright, colourful and somewhat quirky, and while not super-cheap like some Bangkok shoes can be (you’re looking at about 2000-3000 baht for new season stuff), the quality is good, and her shoes are always eye-catching and will garner compliments or comments.

My recent purchase is my highest shoe to date, making me 10cm/4 inches taller when I wear it, and honestly it’s quite hard to miss!

They used to have an outlet in Suan Lum, but since the bazaar has closed you can now visit them at their much bigger looking store at Thonglor. Or look out for them in the shoe sections of Central World (Level 1) and Siam Paragon.

 Thonglor: 323/2 Thonglor Road, Wattana, Bangkok 1010 (Between soi17 & 19 Opposite Benz Thonglor)

Check out their facebook here!

Geraffee

I chanced upon it quite by accident many years ago in Suan Lum Night Bazaar – they had a really striking pair of shoes that caught my attention and between me and my travel buddy P, we ended up with 3 pairs of shoes.

This time around, I found them again at the new Terminal 21 (Level Tokyo) – oddly enough the store sign says GCB, and not Geraffee, but their shoes were just so lovely I had to go in, and to my delight it turned out to be an old favourite! We stumbled upon them again at Section 3 in Chaktuchak, a narrower shop but had a wider range of shoes.

This time around I came away with just 2 pairs – this hip Swing-inspired flats (and now my new go-to flats) as well as a pair of Houndstooth patterned heels. I was tempted to buy more, but managed to restrain myself.

Their style is simple, clean and hip – it seems that Black&White are common inspirations, but their coloured stuff is also quite pretty. What’s also great is that for a local designer, the shoes here are very affordable, going at 990baht (about S$40) for good quality shoes. AWESOME.

 JJ Weekend Market : section 3 soi1 room no.015
Terminal 21 : room no.1085 ,1st floor- tokyo

Check out their facebook here

Other interesting brands that caught my eye

– Mosstories had a fabulous pair of Postman wedges that were SO comfortable, but they were a tad pricey so I didn’t buy them. Slightly regretful now, but I really, really have too many pairs of shoes. You can find them at Terminal 21 (Paris level) and Siam Square and Central World Zen.

– Mary Lou had really cute accessories! The animals curled around your finger adn the cupcakes were adorable. Check them out at Terminal 21 or Chaktuchak.