Have fun, say the designers, but be careful

Bangkok has been dipping its toe into global fashion for a while now, but Thai designers remain cautious, with simplicity ruling the day, although there's a variety of fun items that can be mixed and matched.

At Bangkok Fashion Week, breakthrough brand Singha Life made a big statement, patching its lion logo onto jackets, hats and even a beer-bottle-shaped cotton bag.

"It's streetwear that isn't too overdressed," says Joey, who does the styling for several teenage entertainers. A one-shoulder Singha T-shirt can wow an audience with its fresh, playful look.

Inspired by Inner Complexity for Singha also brings the cool, dark brown and copper of the Singha beer can into the mix. The show presented a "light in darkness" theme, with men sporting jackets in silver and copper brown.

And speaking of fun, Muse by Good Mixer offered a crisp black-and-white jacket with skull prints. Even more amusing items was a soft, draped jacket with accented shoulders and silhouette.

These were inspired by American football uniforms, but the effect was more tribal than sporty.

Ladies had a little less to be cheerful about, apart from the accessories.

Kunitar & 8E88 met Toyota in bringing more celebrities onto the catwalk, with little rosette chiffon dresses being the main look.

"You can wear a beautiful dress for both evening and day-to-day wear," says designer Chinachan Nimpitakpong. "It just depends on the accessories."

For someone with high-street fashion in mind, Asava presented a New York minimalist look - think Charlotte in "Sex and the City". Those who need something prettier can go for the casual, loose blouses and micro pants from Senada.

Top design shops like Fly Now still prefer glamour, with evening dresses in satin and silk organdie, sequined work and embroidered details.

A rival is Tube Gallery, with its colourful long dresses in silk satin and silk chiffon with Japanese prints.

FASH by Srinakharinwirot overstated the origami look, though it was still interesting.

"There's just too much of it in one look," says Joey.