Khon Kaen teen takes fashion designing to exotic heights

[Lite Beer]

Khon Kaen teen takes fashion designing to exotic heights
VISARUT SANKHAM
THE SUNDAY NATION

KHON KAEN: -- APICHET "Madaew" Atilattana, a 16-year-old high-school student in the Northeast, is an aspiring fashion designer who creates his designs using everyday items such as mosquito nets, morning glory, flowering bush, banana leaves and even a bamboo fish tray.

Madaew is a high-school student at Fang Wittayayon School in a suburban area of northern Khon Kaen province.

His followers on Facebook and Instagram have skyrocketed to over 200,000 since he started posting his unusual fashion images about six months ago.

"I see fantastic fashions in everything. I got the idea for my banana leaf dress when I walked through a banana plantation and I saw different layers in colour of each leaf," he said.

"Therefore, I wrote it down and brought it to life."

Besides his talent in fashion, the teenager is also good at school - his score for the Ordinary National Educational Test (O-Net) was the highest in his school.

He said the idea came to him when he was nine years old.

He and his friend used to act as models and catwalk on stage with many friends acting as judges.

The competition was so tough that it forced him to tap creative ideas like wrapping himself |with cloth remnants found in the classroom corner.

"All the photo shoots were conducted by me, such as the picture where I went up a tree and I pointed to the spot where my friend should take pictures. Then I pick up the best picture," he said.

In each dress, he tries to put some meaning into it such as the vegetable basket relating to his family vocation, which is selling vegetables, the teenager said.

"At first, my parents didn't understand what I was doing because they had no idea about social media and they were busy with their business of selling vegetables in the fresh market. But after their friends in the market showed them my picture with thousands of comments, they became fascinated with all the affection and money I was earning from TV interviewing and being product presenter. My family ended up helping me during photo shoots," he said.

Later, he would have his picture uploaded on Facebook and Instagram. He was fascinated by the thousands of affectionate and cheerful comments, so he continued while trying to become more creative by using unconventional material such as cooking utensils, clothes hangers and mosquito nets.

After his pictures went viral, he became recognised as an Internet idol and people began to spot him at places were he went, with some asking to take a picture with him.

Madaew's "dresses" have shown that being creative is important in fashion designing.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Khon-Kaen-teen-takes-fashion-designing-to-exotic-h-30269623.html

-- The Nation 2015-09-27

[soihok]

If I was his father I would be worried.

[soihok]

...but....

...as he seems to be generating an income I guess that is why his parents are encouraging him.

[daoyai]

He was born that way, ...good that his friends and community are supportive.

[soihok]

What, born dressed like that?

[saakura]

If I was his father I would be worried.

At least he wont wash up as a ladyboy on the beach road in Pattaya.

[soihok]

Let's hope not

[Stray]

If I was his father I would be worried.

You would be worried if your son was intelligent, talented, an independent thinker and respected by his peers?

What a strange attitude.

[soihok]

Actually I would be worried if my 16 year old child was posting pictures like that of himself on the internet. You are also strange by thinking this is ok. What a strange boy.

Edited September 27, 2015 by soihok

[ggt]

This is Thailand...not a repressive western society...

The kid has found a positive way to express his artistic abilities...he should be encouraged rather than ostracised...IMHO

[Monkeyrobot]

What's his favourite game? Hide the bannana?

[Stray]

Actually I would be worried if my 16 year old child was posting pictures like that of himself on the internet. You are also strange by thinking this is ok. What a strange boy.

From the OP:

My family ended up helping me during photo shoots," he said.

Again, it's fantastic that this boy has found an outlet for his talent and has the support of family and friends. However, it seems there are those that would prefer he followed in his parents career path and sold vegetables at the market.

Most parents want their children to succeed in life and, hopefully, do better than they did. Very difficult for a child to succeed when they are ostracised and oppressed by their parents. Particularly bigoted parents.

The fashion industry is chock full of successful people that you would be 'worried' about.

[Stray]

What's his favourite game? Hide the bannana?

Not only is your comment typically homophobic but, given the young guy's age (he is only 16), it could be construed as 'homophobic pedophile'.

The article is about a young guy who is designing, creating and making fashion (utilising abstract ideas), identifying and directing photo shoots, doing well educationally and the only comment you have is a sexual one?

Littered all over this site are threads and comments 'stating' how lazy and shiftless the drunken drug addicts in Isaan 'really' are. Along comes a story that flies in the face of all that and the first comment is that the poster is 'worried'. Next comment is that he's only permitted to do it as his parents can make money from it. From there, a great leap is made into the sexual realm.

A positive story about a young person doing something creative (using his mind and local resources) and it is met with such negativity?

What colour is the sky in your world? I'm sure glad I don't live there as suicide would be the only positive form of release from your miserable, little existence.

[soihok]

Actually I would be worried if my 16 year old child was posting pictures like that of himself on the internet. You are also strange by thinking this is ok. What a strange boy.

From the OP:

My family ended up helping me during photo shoots," he said.

Again, it's fantastic that this boy has found an outlet for his talent and has the support of family and friends. However, it seems there are those that would prefer he followed in his parents career path and sold vegetables at the market.

Most parents want their children to succeed in life and, hopefully, do better than they did. Very difficult for a child to succeed when they are ostracised and oppressed by their parents. Particularly bigoted parents.

The fashion industry is chock full of successful people that you would be 'worried' about.

Wonder if his parents would be as supportive if he wasn't generating them the money he is reported to be making?

Far easier to exploit him rather than sell veg.

Fair play to him.

What ever rocks your boat.

[mike324]

I believe this kid has a video of his fashion show off at home, very creative and funny kid. Hats off to them with more success in the future.