Q&A: Tipayaphong Poosanaphong

December 4th, 2007

Tipayaphong Poosanaphong, a young designer who has won numerous awards, trained with Emanuel Ungaro and has been exhibited locally and internationally, has won a new kudo: he recently presented his new hat collection, “Gorgeous Hat at the Park”, at Emporium to great acclaim.

BK: How did you get into fashion design?

Tipayaphong Poosanaphong: You know, I hated fashion at first. When I was a student in Paris, I had to study something to get a visa to stay longer. I asked myself: why not fashion design? It was my last choice, but I went to a fashion design school, and then I got a job. I was a trainee at Emanuel Ungaro. It was very important to me. He was my teacher, he taught me how to sew, how a woman could become a real woman.

BK: What was your concept behind the Emporium Gorgeous Hat at the Park show?

TP: First of all, I got the concept from Princess Diana. I thought about her youth and her colorful life and how she became a very elegant woman. So the very elegant clothes and hats were designed with embroidery to create colorful objects.

BK: What is the importance of the hat?

TP: I think people do not know why we wear hats. Human beings lived in caves. They covered their heads with different leathers to protect their heads from the elements. But today people wear hats like a fashion accessory. I love hats. When I design clothes, I have to think about the details too, like the hats and the shoes also. I want to make women pretty, complete and perfect. I know, no one is perfect, but a hat makes everybody beautiful. I think my hat designs are elegant and beautiful.

BK:Do clothes make the man or does the man make the clothes?

TP: You know, I cannot separate the clothes from the man. It cannot be one or the other. Clothes and human beings are inseparable.

BK: What are you afraid of in the future?

TP: I never think of the future. I live for today. Maybe I am looking back at the past to learn from my mistakes.

BK: And what advice do you have for a youngster who wants to be a fashion designer?

TP: I know many young designers, they are very talented, but they have no opportunities. Never give up! In Paris, my life was difficult, very very difficult, I can tell you. I did everything there: house cleaning, babysitting, etc. to pay for my school. Just study, study, study and work, work, work! But it was worth it. See where I am now.