Weekend Picks

I    Pattarawadee Saengmanee    I

 Travel to Japan on business for the past few years has given friends Parinda "Poo" Assawamanee and Thapanan "Bomb" Kritsamanit a passion for the exotic fashions of Tokyo's Harajuku district. Now back in Thailand, they've been inspired by Japanese trends like J-rock, cosplay and the "Lolita" subculture to open a boutique, Pardoza, in Siam Square.

"I ran a restaurant in Japan for two years, while Poo's fashion import business means she makes regular visits to the country," says Thapanan. We decided to open the boutique around three months ago."

Aiming for a goth look, Pardoza's gloomy lighting and Castle Dracula-like atmosphere houses shoes and J-rock-style clothing from the covetable Mad Girl brand, imported from Japan. Items stocked include shirts, trousers, skirts, tank tops, dresses and T-shirts. Many feature tartan, skull-and-cross-bone and lace designs. Common shades are black, white, red and purple.

"We chose to bring in Mad Girl stuff because they have cool, neat designs at reasonable prices. That means our young customers can both afford them and afford to be seen out in them on the street", says Thapanan.

Pardoza also offers a variety of Lolita styles, including Gothic Lolita, in black or white, and Sweet - or Classic - Lolita in cute pastel shades of pink, blue and white, all taking their cue from elaborate Victorian clothing. There's also a selection of cosplay costumes inspired by rock singers, maids and Japanese films.

"Cosplay is a way of dressing up to imitate characters from manga, films, video games and popular music, while the Lolita style is meant to make you look like a French doll or a princess," explains Thapanan.

There's a playful array of accessories to match - neckties featuring stars, crowns and skulls; leather belts; bags; silver rings; leather chokers, necklaces and chains; and colourful socks. The idea is to be creative - customers have the freedom to create a unique look for themselves with their choices.

Contrasting laces

A white Classic Lolita-style dress with corset and hat featuring a lace pattern (Bt4,500) alongside a black gothic Lolita-style outfit from Mad Girl (Bt4,890) with a butterfly design and black choker.

Bag o' bones

Hold it together with a black-gold handbag and purse combination featuring a skull design (Bt1,890); or this noteworthy pink bag with piano design, Bt1,590.

J-rock style set

J-rock style outfits clockwise from above are Mad Girl's white long-sleeved shirt with black necktie (Bt3,190) and red check skirt by Pardoza (Bt2,060); black pants by Mad Girl (Bt5,290) and red and black shirt with skulls design (Bt3,190); a black shirt with necktie and silver brooches (Bt3,190) and red tartan pants by Pardoza (Bt1,000).

No garlic?

Try protecting your neck with a tie featuring a skull-and-cross-bones, crowns or stars design. Prices are Bt229.

Collar some style

A selection of leather chokers and bracelets featuring silver thorns. Prices range between Bt690 and Bt990.

Walk tall

To clothe those toes, a pair of black J-rock-style boots with belt (Bt4,900); white Lolita-style high-heeled shoes (Bt3,900); and Mad Girl's white feet pleasers (Bt3,690).