Northern Young Designers Contest 2004

Young fashion designers homed in on the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel Grand Ballroom on the 30th of October to take part in the colorful conclusion to the Northern Young Designer Contest 2004 organized for the second year under the direction of Director Wanchai of the Northern Small and Medium Enterprises Development and Distribution Promotion Center, and Northern Industrial Promotion Center.

Aimed at inspiring young designers to take their creations to an international standard, in line with government policy to develop Thailand as an Asian Fashion Hub, the event was a resounding success. Participants in this contest were either students, freelance designers, amateur designers and professional designers who fall in the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) business owner classification. The preliminary judging began months ago with a total of 50 designers presenting 52 collections.

Before entering the grand ballroom, a colorful exhibition displayed detailed sketches of the collection concept along with the written concept themes. It was amazing to compare the colorful drawings with the dazzling display of colorful creations, in handwoven cottons. The outfits delighted an enthusiastic audience as young local models strutted their stuff down the catwalk under the bright lights and pulsating music.

The creations, with the emphasis firmly on the use of cotton, ranged through the sophisticated and seasonal, to downright sexy; cotton business suits for the young executive to hotpants for the teenager.

The top three winning collections from across the design spectrum attracted prizes of thirty thousand baht, a certificate and a shield. However, choosing the winning entries presented the judges with no mean task; audience appreciation deemed that there were no losers on the night. The panel of judges comprised the Chiangmai deputy governor Parinya, Mr. owner of Classic Lanna, Mrs. Kanitha the former director of Channel TV 11.

As the judges conferred, the audience enjoyed a music and dance interlude, provided by the renowned Sa Bunga Cultural Group, and a selection of popular standards sung by Chiangmai‘s own popular, local baritone, Ajarn Tienchai.

Judging over, the following entrants emerged victorious: The winners of the Cotton Cloth Collection for Teen Girls: 1. Mr.Jatupol Wong-Ngern, 2. Mr.Jirayu Jula and 3. Mr. Nopparat Shrapok. The winners of the Modern Cotton Business Wear Collection: 1. Mr.Sahapol Chotkasheewin, 2. Mr.Worrashed Karpuank, 3. Mr.Kawin Punfai.

Everyone agreed that the standard of entries was excellent and that Chiangmai’s young designers were heading in the right direction. New York, London, Paris, Milan & Chiangmai? Why not!