Lao Fashion Week 2016 is ready to welcome back Mr. Siamphan Chanthavichit, winner of the Lao Young Designer Competition 2015.
Known to friends and clients alike as Billy, he completed a six month intensive fashion design course at ESMOD in Paris, France after his big win.
With this experience under his belt, he plans to bring a five to 10 piece collection prominently featuring the colour red to Lao Fashion Week this year.
Speaking to Vientiane Times during an event at Ministry of Silk to promote Lao Fashion Week, Billy shared his experience living in Paris, attending ESMOD and his plans for the future.
Over the six months, he gained knowledge and experience in and out of the classroom, benefiting as much from the technical training as the cultural and language exchange.
The programme also gave Billy the opport unity to visit many of the city’s famous landmarks and fashion events, helping to inspire his work and combining French techniques and style with traditional Lao design.
Before bringing his collection home to Laos, Billy had the opportunity to display his work at ESMOD, drawing a lot of interest to Laos and the nation’s tradition of fashion and design.
Billy said he would like to give special thanks to the French Embassy, Lao Fashion Officials and, President of Lao Young Designer Development Project Ms Pany Saignavongs who opened the door to the greatest experiences he ever had.
Currently studying product design at the National University of Laos Faculty of Engineering, he plans to combine this degree with opportunities in the industry with a view to starting his own label someday, while contributing to development and the promotion of Lao fashion internationally and at home.
Billy advises young designers to apply for the Lao Young Designer Development Project, which he described as an opportunity of a lifetime.
He is very excited to be a part of Lao Fashion Week 2016, taking place next month in Vientiane, and hints there will be a surprise model appearing for the finale of his collection.
Source: Vientiane Times
