Miss Thailand 2008, Gavintra Photijak, sports the ‘Spirit of Fighting’ costume, which won the designer an award at the 57th Miss Universe pageant.

23-year-old Sathapat Moonma may be a reluctant designer, but his 'Spirit of Fighting' did make it big in Vietnam

As soon as Miss Thailand 2008 Gavintra Photijak won the Best National Costume Award at the Miss Universe contest in Vietnam, people started wondering about the designer who impressed so many people.

The answer to that question is quite unbelievable: The designer is a 23-year-old student from the Khon Kaen University. But when talking to Sathapat Moonma in person, Daily Xpress could see that he is quite extraordinary.

The Udon Thani-native says his "Spirit of Fighting" costume represented Thailand's unique Muay Thai. Maybe he drew some inspiration from Japanese manga, of which "Saint Seiya" is his favourite, and Harry Potter.

However, this success has little to do with pure luck and more to do with practice. Sathapat won quite a few drawing competitions when at Udon Thani's Tesabal 2 Mukkhamontri School, a contest in the Northeast and the first prize, worth ¥30,000, in a drawing contest in Japan. 

Though Sathapat should be a university graduate by now, he had to drop out for two years to help his family overcome financial problems. 

However, the young man did not let his artistic abilities go to waste during this downturn. He earned Bt80 for every yard of batik design he created for an export factory in his neighbourhood. In fact his designs were so good that they were used as part of a uniform for an airline.

After his younger brother graduated, Sathapat went back to university and will be finishing up next April.

Sathapat says that though he only won Bt20,000 for his costume, the publicity he's been getting is priceless. Even strangers on the bus recognise him now, he says.

Great things ahead

The young designer says that though he has no background in designing clothes and had to turn to the fashion house Noriko for help in making the beauty queen's costume, he says he's already been approached to create more high-fashion outifts. However, he says, though the future looks bright, graphic design still remains his first love.