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  • Thai Fashion Designer Redefines ‘Made in Asia’ by Creating Timeless and Elegant Sarong-Inspired Dresses

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August 21, 2023

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After decades of experience in the fashion industry in Paris, Pring Bunnag has embarked on a new venture that aims to revolutionize the perception of “made in Asia.”

Born in Thailand, she embarked on a transcontinental journey, spending her childhood in California, where her father owned a liquor store in Long Beach. Inspired by the rich heritage of Southeast Asia, Pring introduces “SIN-Dress” to the world, a brilliant reimagining of the classic sarong, or “sin” in Thai. This modern masterpiece skillfully blends elegance and adaptability, and it was created to enhance and appreciate the attractiveness of many body types.

What sets her creations apart is the meticulous attention to detail in the production process. Each piece of artisanal Thai silk undergoes individual hand printing and hand dyeing, resulting in wearable art that empowers women to embrace their unique beauty and personal style.

Pring aims to depart from fleeting trends, labels, and the unsustainable practices associated with fast fashion. By advocating for slow and mindful consumption, she aims to redefine luxury in the Asian fashion industry, proving that it can harmonize with ethical and sustainable principles while still delivering the highest quality.

In an exclusive interview with Asian Hustle Network, Pring delves into the depths of her brand Sucette and reveals the captivating story behind SIN-Dress.

HOW SIN-DRESS CAME TO LIFE

I was inspired by the Southeast Asian garment, the sarong, or “sin” in Thai, which is essentially a piece of fabric sewn into a tube, and traditionally worn as a skirt by both men and women. 

I actually started Sucette as an artisanal shoe brand during the pandemic. I arrived in Thailand in February 2020, was 7 months pregnant, and saw Covid hit the country right after China. I ended up giving birth during the first lockdown and saw the economic devastation hit Thai artisan communities and saw the rising trend of “fast fashion”.

I was still freelancing as a shoe designer part-time and was deeply saddened by how badly Thai craftspeople were suffering economically and having to accept very low-paying and demeaning jobs to survive and I felt compelled to do something about it. 

I started Sucette as an artisanal shoe brand featuring hand-woven Thai silks and hand-carved heels but due to the complexity of shoes and not wanting to have to invest in a ton of sizing and stock, I was playing around with the idea of the sarong in my head. I loved the idea of the garment and creating something that was at once truly “Thai/ Asian” but also contemporary and universal.

I also loved to collect vintage silk sarongs but never wore them as I didn’t have the skills of tying them. I also didn’t want to have to cut them into dresses as each silk was so perfect as it is and would be a shame to cut! 

So I started to play around with the way it wrapped and one day I came up with the first “SIN-Dress”! I remember draping the entire piece of Thai silk on a mannequin and with just 2 pins, saw it hang beautifully as a tunic dress. I then added 24k gold plated brass hoops, handcrafted by a local workshop here in Bangkok, because I wanted to add a subtly luxurious and unique artisanal element. 

From then, I worked on the longer version, which is also a single piece of silk without any cuts or complicated patterns, in keeping with the “essence” of the sarong. 

My biggest inspiration is probably the way Siamese and Southeast Asian women wore the sarong historically. I loved looking at archive images, especially 19th-century photographs of women draped in beautiful silk and looking so elegant. My goal is to showcase this heritage to the world but in a contemporary way.

My other inspirations are Japanese designers, especially Issey Miyake and his invention of Pleats Please which is a conceptual collection, now renowned worldwide, but based on very Japanese ideas. 

PRING’S EXPERIENCE IN THE PARISIAN FASHION INDUSTRY

Being in Paris taught me the value of heritage and know-how and combining that rich tradition with a contemporary twist.

In Paris, heritage is absolutely everywhere you look–from the architecture to the food to the fashion and the art, but creators aren’t afraid to take that heritage and give it a contemporary make-over, while still being respectful of tradition. I also learned the value of being unique and owning your individuality.

In Thailand and perhaps in Asia there is a tendency to “copy” what the West is doing, and I believe that we have so much wealth of culture and knowledge that it is much better to showcase our own identity than to try to be like someone else. 

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

I fell in love with hand printing and dyeing silks because I found it very empowering that I could create totally unique artistic prints without having to go through the industrial process. For me, it is a similar process as artisans would do in their local communities, and I thought there is such value in making something beautiful and one-of-a-kind, for both the client and the maker.

I use a technique called “eco printing” which uses leaves and plants to print onto the silk. I also experiment with making my own natural dyes, tie-dyeing, and shibori dyeing techniques. My goal is to create wearable works of art that my clients will feel good in and hopefully keep forever. 

WHAT MAKES THE SIN-DRESS UNIQUE

Unlike a typical fashion brand, I don’t create “collections”

The SIN-Dress comes in 2 variations only, the short and long versions, and fits most body shapes and sizes. However, each dress is made from a totally unique piece of hand-printed silk therefore each dress is unique. 

My goal is to create a garment that would always fit, feel amazing on, and that each woman can style her own way to suit her individual personality. Much like the traditional sarong, there is no “correct way” to wear a “SIN-Dress”!

I always encourage my clients to have fun expressing their unique styles and to let their personalities shine. I want to create forever pieces of wearable art that are also effortless and versatile and can be worn for multiple occasions.

I’d love to be an example that it is possible to build a strong brand while going against the fashion industry’s vicious cycle of the “constant chase for newness” and overproduction. I’d also love to prove that “Made in Thailand/Asia” can be synonymous with sustainably handcrafted luxury and artistry at the highest level! 

PRING’S GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS FOR SUCETTE

I would love for the SIN-Dress to become a household name worldwide, to prove that a garment based on Asian heritage can become universally appealing and desirable!

My goals for my brand Sucette is to create beautiful wearable art in a way that also contributes to positive change–for the environment by choosing sustainable and artisanal production methods, for local communities by providing highly paid and rewarding work, and for my clients by celebrating individual style and beauty. 

CONNECT WITH PRING

Website: sucetteofficial.com

Instagram: @sucetteofficial

Facebook Page: Sucetteofficial

Sucette FB Group: Sucette Silk Couture Club

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