Thai Princess Sirivannavari presents her brand's latest collection at Paris Fashion Week

By

Cassia HALABI CARTER

Published
Mar 4, 2023

The second daughter to the King of Thailand, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana is no stranger to Fashion Weeks, and even less to the industry itself. A design graduate of Paris's Chambre Syndicale de la Couture (now IFM), one of the industry's top universities, the now 36-year old Princess started her eponymous label Sirivannavari 15 years ago -- whilst still treading the college halls. A longtime habituée of front-rows worldwide, she is often considered one of royalty's best-dressed.

The Princess has temporarily traded in her crown for couture, even if only until the end of Paris Fashion Week. And by that, it means she is fully consecrating herself to her creations during the most important seven days in the industry. On February 28 and March 1, her ready-to-wear brand showed its latest collection for Fall/Winter 2023/24 at Paris's landmark jewel, the Ritz hotel. 

Although Sirivannavari is already well-established in the Princess's home country, where she's inagurated several physical stores within the capital, the brand hasn't made its way to Europe -- yet. A pop-up will be opening in Milan within the next couple of weeks, and the Princess hopes to eventually find a home for her creations in Paris. In the meantime, she explains that her latest collection was inspired by "powerful, independent women in the 1940's." She cites "women pilots" especially, conotating strong, determined feminine figures. Knowing that the Princess was also a badminton champion and an equestrian extraordinaire back home, one could affirm a little bit of herself is also laced into the collection's DNA. 

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Eveningwear is undoubtedly the brand's pièce de résistance. Gold silk wrap skirts, detailed with woven-in ostrich feathers, as well as midriff cut-out chiffon dresses and fitted tuxedo jackets all add up to give a notion of sleek modernity for a night out on the town. And if the artisanry is definitely infused with a French touch, -- "we have the same embroidery techniques as Lesage" --, all the materials (apart for the leather, which is sourced in Italy) come from Thailand, as a way to pay homage to the Princess's heritage. As for accessories? Evening bags and pouches, as well as sunglasses as to complete any look. 

Sirivannari pieces range from 800 euros to 2500 euros, and can be bought online through the brand's Instagram and in select stores in Bangkok.