Her Purisa Glitzy is a brand to watch
When a Thai girl just eleven years of age tells you her hero and inspiration is Coco Chanel, you take notice. And immediately wonder why.
But then Purisa ‘Minnie’ Hengtrakulsin is no ordinary youngster. Incredibly, this little lady is already an established designer of fashion clothes for children with ten collections to her credit under her own well-known brand ‘Purisa Glitzy.’
So how did she become such a fan of Coco Chanel, France’s legendary fashion designer, especially as she passed away some four decades before Minnie was born? “My mum and dad took me to a book fair when I was seven years old and I came across a book about Coco Chanel, and I loved it,” explained Minnie in her self-taught flawless English. “I read that book many times and loved all of Coco’s designs, and I decided that I wanted to be like her. Coco is my inspiration.”
But then Purisa ‘Minnie’ Hengtrakulsin is no ordinary youngster. Incredibly, this little lady is already an established designer of fashion clothes for children with ten collections to her credit under her own well-known brand ‘Purisa Glitzy.’
So how did she become such a fan of Coco Chanel, France’s legendary fashion designer, especially as she passed away some four decades before Minnie was born? “My mum and dad took me to a book fair when I was seven years old and I came across a book about Coco Chanel, and I loved it,” explained Minnie in her self-taught flawless English. “I read that book many times and loved all of Coco’s designs, and I decided that I wanted to be like her. Coco is my inspiration.”
Suitably motivated, Minnie, aged just eight, launched her first collection ‘Purisa Glitzy’ in 2016. It quickly caught the eye of several buyers and showed she was on the right track. But it was her second collection that really propelled her career. This came about after watching a famous Thai musical drama called Four Reigns based on the life of a lady in waiting in the Grand Palace.
After researching popular fashion designs from that period of Thai history, Minnie sketched her own ideas – a mixture of Thai and Victorian clothes - and matched them with carefully selected fabrics and textiles from the leading suppliers in Bangkok. Called ‘PLOY’ after the heroine
in the historical drama, the collection of all-white outfits attracted interested from around the world. Meticulously styled and beautifully made by a respected dressmaker, her clothes are a wonderful evocation of the complex designs favored during the reign of four Thai kings.
After researching popular fashion designs from that period of Thai history, Minnie sketched her own ideas – a mixture of Thai and Victorian clothes - and matched them with carefully selected fabrics and textiles from the leading suppliers in Bangkok. Called ‘PLOY’ after the heroine
in the historical drama, the collection of all-white outfits attracted interested from around the world. Meticulously styled and beautifully made by a respected dressmaker, her clothes are a wonderful evocation of the complex designs favored during the reign of four Thai kings.
Her third collection, which really put the Purisa Glitzy brand on the map, is called ‘Bittersweet’. This was followed recently by a series of new collections, including her latest called ‘Girlish’, which tells the story of a little girl who grows into a young lady. Minnie, who attends Rajini School in Bangkok, says the inspiration for this latest collection was her pencil case, which has beads and glitter underneath transparent plastic,
and thus the see-through fabrics and pastel tones of her Girlish clothes.
Because her clothes are bespoke, they are not cheap. Even though Minnie is also money-smart and good saver, she leaves the finances to her mum and dad, Tisa and Pume, who own a wholesale clothing shop in Bangkok’s Bobae district.
But the way her career is developing in its own unique way, Minnie is certainly destined to become one of the country’s most loved clothing brands.
and thus the see-through fabrics and pastel tones of her Girlish clothes.
Because her clothes are bespoke, they are not cheap. Even though Minnie is also money-smart and good saver, she leaves the finances to her mum and dad, Tisa and Pume, who own a wholesale clothing shop in Bangkok’s Bobae district.
But the way her career is developing in its own unique way, Minnie is certainly destined to become one of the country’s most loved clothing brands.