4 new Thai designers to hunt down in Mob.F

The first of its kind in Bangkok, Mob.F is a massive shop in Siam Center (BTS: Siam) that opened late last year and is filled with the most recent styles from both old and new Thai designers. We've picked out four of Mob.F's brands whose funky jewelry, bags and men's clothing are worth a special mention. 

COJOE

This brand started less than a year ago when enthusiastic jewelry designer Jonhkolnee Phukasem returned to Thailand after studying at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco. She and now uses her knowledge and talents to make intricate jewelry that is bold and delicate at the same time. You can spin it, you can tie it, you can let it simply hang. Her newest collection “I am what I am” has many statement pieces such as the Tear Drop earring and necklace set.

“I love contrasts, different materials, and colors,” she says. And it’s her use of striking elements such as quartz and turquoise that sets her jewelry apart. Making only a few of each piece keeps COJOE intimate and exclusive; it’s almost as if it’s made just for you.

Price: Pieces range from 1,000 – 2,500 baht each

Finnegan Gingham

Originally attending a school for interior design, Terraweth Assawaekawanich, also known as Shane, turned to another element of design, menswear, with Finnegan Gingham. Shane took his inspiration directly from the 1998 movie, "Great Expectations." Similar themes of innocence and love flow through Finnegan Gingham’s soft tees and cropped plaid trousers.

Exclusively sold at Mob.F, Finnegan Gingham’s styles are full of spring pastels that are perfectly lightweight for this hot season, but the stock is small, so we can't wait to see what this Dickens-inspired designer has in store for the next chapter.

Price: Clothing ranges from 1,000 baht to 6,000 baht

Nattanun

These handbags from Nattanun Sanpong scream color and are full of personality. The golden lining though, is that they are fair trade products. Nattanun made it her business, literally, to go back into the fields of her hometown, Nong Kai, and provide better work opportunities for those less fortunate. Each bag is handcrafted, to create patchworks of magenta, gold and green. 

Nattanun has also drawn on the towering buildings of Tokyo, Hong Kong and Paris, weaving these elements into her latest clutch, creating geometrical cut-outs and randomly placed 'windows.'

Her next stop is Korea and then Hong Kong. And in 10 years she hopes to see herself famous in the United States, perhaps bringing a little taste of the East to the West.

Prices from 1,800 to 10,000 baht. Website: www.nattanun.com

The Alchemists

He’s not trying to sell out or make a million bucks; he’s just following his dream. Much like the little boy from Paul Coelho’s  "The Alchemist", which is the inspiration behind Seksarit Thanaprasittikul’s brand's name.

A strong fixation with travelers drives Sek to the drawing board. It’s the wrinkles and creases that your clothes are left with after you’ve been traveling that intrigue Sek. Breaking boundaries, he often looks at the fine details of his garments and then asks himself, “Am I still going to call that a shirt if it has details of trousers?”

His latest collection has belts dangling and lots of asymmetrical lines. Sek explains, “I don’t mind if something looks untidy or unkempt.” Fashion and comfort together at last!

Minimum B1,200 – B3,900 Website: www.the-alchemists.in.th

Mob.F: 4th Fl. Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330; tel: +66 (0) 2658 1491-2; www.Mob-F.com

About the author: Always having loved to keep memories through words rather than photos, Ashley Simcox freelance writes about art, music, fashion, and travel -- all while hoping to still have enough milk money for the next day.

She has contributed to publications such as AmericanStyle, NICHE magaine, Bangkok 101, Bedsheets, and Qlix magazine. And while Ashley currently occupies her time meandering the broken concrete streets of Bangkok, her roots are still in the States.

Ashley submitted this piece as part of CNNGo’s CityPulse section. To find out what other stories we are looking for, go to our CityPulse page.