Lala Talks: Straight from Bangkok, Kloset S/S 09, Q&A with the Designer

Hailing from Thailand, Kloset is the brand that brings ethereal design to the modern-day classy young lady. Designer Mollika Ruangkritya pays close attention to the detailing of her garments. With phenomenal fabric choices and original prints made from Kloset, this is a brand that will always you having coming back each season for more. For the Spring/Summer 2009 collection, the inspiration stemmed from novel, The Secret Garden. Pops of color were married with dainty prints and flattering shapes. The wonderful thing about Kloset is it gives the woman wearing it a strong sense of femininity and comfort. Every piece of the collection that you slip on, you won’t ever want to take off.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a 32 year old Bangkokian named Mollika Ruangkritya.

What made you decide you wanted to become a designer?
Being a designer was not in my mind when I was young. I think it started when I was 10 when I found out that I liked making all handicrafts like head band, dolls and even modifying myold clothes. When I became a teenager and I turned my interest into fashion. I lovedto dress up and flip through fashion magazines. However at that time, I wanted to also learn about myself and if fashion was really what I wanted to pursue. It took me 2-3 years tofinally find out that I never get bored of it. Not only am I in love with beautiful clothes,but also I’m obsessed with learning about the techniques of making clothes.

Where do you believe to be the fashion capital of the world?
I think it is going to be boring if there is only one fashion capital in the world. It is better as it is now that we have NY, Milan, Paris, Tokyo and other fashion cities. Even better if wehave up and coming city becoming fashionable like Bangkok. I love traveling and cultures in different countries! I’m always looking forward to seeing new ideas.

Tell me about the concept of your current collection and what were your inspirations?
The Kloset Spring/Summer 2009 Collection Inspiration is from a booked called “The Secret Garden” which is about a girl who is very sick. She has to be on a wheel chair all the time and cannot go outdoors. She spends most of her time in her own room looking through the window to her garden and imagines what the real world would look like. Kloset translates the story into the prints. There will be lots of distorted objects and animals (these are from the girl’s imagination).

Where there specific fabrics or techniques that you leaned more towards?
Some of the techniques in the designs are pulled from the prints such as the ruffles, stitching details and accessories. Simple forms are changed to be more complex by making them asymmetrical.

Whether it be a musical movement, an art exhibit, a book or idea, what is your current creative stimulation ?
Vintage clothes and other vintage stuffs are always in my heart. For me, some how I’m a little bored of futuristic and masculine styles. I kinda want to go back to the old/vintage lady look. But also modifying the vintage looks to a new way of it. I spent a lot of time in art libraries, [looking at] old books and magazines on the weekend, getting some ideas from them.

What are your other passions besides fashion design?
I like to create things. I love to see when people appreciate what I work on. I’m also really into interior design. Therefore, I decided to start working for my family real estate business and got involved in the project’s branding and concept. I’m into book binding and always create my own notebooks. I’ve my notebooks collection since I was a kid. The first KLOSET stationary collection will be launched in this month.

Your philosophy to live by..?
I used to be work addict. I even dreamed about it. But not anymore since I was too stressed by thinking too much about work! So now, most of the time, I think positively and believe thateverything is going to be alright. Think Good, Do Good.. it’s very simple. When I’m happy,I will come up with good work automatically.
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