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Published on February 16, 2008

Most of us think that old cloth is best used for dusting. Prominent leading interior designer ML Pawinee Santisiri has a different view. She carefully examines the quality of discarded fabric in order to determine its historical value.

The managing director of Ayodhaya Trade has a passion for natural materials and is best known in the Kingdom for her creative line of furniture and home decor items made from water hyacinth, which have won awards that include Silpakorn University's Designer of the Year prize in 2004. Right now, she's busy decorating the royal residence of Her Majesty the Queen in Hua Hin.

An avid collector for more than 20 years, Pawinee spoke about her love for antique jewellery and textiles during an event last week titled "@ First Sight Panta Jewellery Showcase" and also showcased her bracelets and other accessories from the Ban Chiang period.

The showcase, which was jointly hosted by Pawinee and fashion designer Pichitra Boonyarataphan, also featured jewellery by up-and-coming young Thai designers and continues through the end of this month at Panta Shop on the fourth floor of Siam Paragon shopping complex.

Pawinee says that while her first love is antiques, she feels it's important to support the fresh designs of today's new talents. Among the collections receiving her support are Aztique by Orawan Sroitong, Missile by Apiwat Raumanachai and Phakamas Airm-Sumarng, Trimode Accessories by Pirada - Paradee Seneewong Na Ayudhya and Chinpanu Atichathanabodi, Existanze by Veeraporn Nitiprapha, and Gavang by Kultirat Meesaiyat, Thanya Keeratipaiboon and Natthamon Tangtrongmitr.

Also on the list are Ligino by Prapat Jiwarangsan, Pilantha Jewellery & Accessories by Chutapat, and BangkokSmiths, an alliance of Thai brands that includes Jogema, Matina Amanita, Missile and Trimode Accessories.

Pawinee says the more she learns about antique clothes and jewellery, the more fascinated she becomes. Some of the stone jewellery in her collection, she explains, was found in old cemeteries.

"In those days, a single piece like a bracelet indicated its owner's standing in society," she says. "And most of the time, there is only one piece. Each has a story and reflects the culture and the way of life of an ancient people. That's why I chose to collect these stones rather than diamonds.

"The designs are classic and the beauty of the product seems eternal. I am constantly amazed at how they could fashion such beautiful jewellery out of stone. I don't think the new generation would be able to do anything like this. The value lies in the design and the art."

Her collection also includes antique textiles from Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. So far, she's amassed more than 500 pieces.

"When I'm travelling I can't resist going into textile shops. Even today, if a trader comes to me with clothes that I don't already have, I simply have to buy. It's the same with the jewellery. I've been dealing with the same trader from Ban Chiang for years now and she lets me know whenever she has something that might be of interest."

And nothing pleases Pawinee more than spotting the small imperfections that lend character to a piece. "Artisans in the old days didn't have advanced tools. They relied on their hard work. We should never forget these distinctive works. New-generation designers should follow in the footsteps of these admirable role models," she says.

Kupluthai Pungkanon

The Nation