5 Must-Experience Thai Fashion Brands, from GENTLEWOMAN to ASAVA

One of the most vibrant and trendy cities in Asia that captures the hearts of fashion-savvy Singaporeans is none other than Bangkok, Thailand. With its bustling streets and countless clothing stalls that remain open day and night, Bangkok has rightfully earned its reputation as a haven for fashion lovers. In fact, renowned personalities like Michelle Obama and Katy Perry have joined the chorus in praising Bangkok’s talented designers. It’s safe to say that Thailand truly embodies a paradise for fashion enthusiasts!

If you’re planning a trip to Bangkok or simply want to explore the country’s fashion scene, here are five Thai fashion brands that deserve your attention:

#1: GENTLEWOMAN

Shop: gentlewomanonline.com

Have you noticed the ubiquitous black and white totes adorning the streets of Singapore, proudly displaying the words “GENTLE WOMAN” in a striking giant Serif font? The GENTLEWOMAN tote bag has become a symbol of contemporary fashion, featuring a sleek black and white design with the bold “GENTLE WOMAN” inscription. Its appeal lies in its blend of style and substance, appealing to individuals seeking confidence and minimalism.

In Singapore, these striking tote bags have become a pervasive trend, reflecting the city’s fast-spreading fashion culture. Originating from Thailand in 2018, GENTLEWOMAN is a vibrant brand with 15 stores in Bangkok. Apart from tote bags, their collection includes stylish pants, trendy tops, fashionable hats, and more. As Thailand remains a popular destination for Singaporean tourists, many have visited GENTLEWOMAN stores, bringing back coveted souvenirs like the iconic tote bags for their friends back home.

Image Credits: facebook.com/gentlewomanstore

#2: ASAVA

Shop:asavagroup.com

If you are in search of sleek and timeless pieces, look no further than ASAVA. With a strong emphasis on elegance and sophistication, ASAVA perfectly encapsulates the essence of modern Thai luxury. Their designs boast clean lines, impeccable tailoring, and the use of luxurious fabrics, all contributing to a refined aesthetic that resonates with fashion connoisseurs.

ASAVA is renowned for their notable works, including the creation of uniforms for Bangkok Airways and BTS, as well as a range of high-end retail and hotel staff uniforms. Another interesting aspect of ASAVA is their long-standing role as a prominent manufacturer, having designed clothes for Miss Thailand Universe finalists for many years.

#3: BOYY

Shop: boyy.com

Have you heard of BOYY? BOYY, the world-renowned Thai handbag brand, was co-founded by designers Wannasiri “Boy” Kongman and Jesse Dorsey. Initially introduced in New York and Copenhagen, BOYY eventually returned to its roots and established its presence in Thailand. Fashionistas from Tokyo to Paris have been spotted flaunting BOYY’s signature leather buckle bags. Launched in New York by Canadian designer Jesse Dorsey and Bangkok native Wannasiri Kongman, the brand’s aesthetic strikes a perfect balance between femininity and masculinity.

Fashion-forward individuals in Singapore can indulge in the allure of BOYY’s powdery pastel colors, where sand-colored marble provides a backdrop for a captivating range of leather bags, loafers, and sunglasses in a multiple hue.

#4: KLOSET

Shop:lazada.co.th/shop/kloset

Since its establishment in 2001, Kloset has held a special place in the hearts of countless women, evident from the long queues that form outside their shops during sales. Under the management of Mollika “Kam” Ruangkritya, Kloset has earned a reputation as a celebrated designer brand that embraces and exalts femininity. Customers of all ages can discover collections tailored to suit their specific occasions.

Beyond offering fashionable and feminine clothing, the brand goes the extra mile by providing accessories, stationery, shoes, and other items under the name Kloset & Etcetera. Kloset shops can be conveniently found in prominent locations such as Siam Center, Siam Paragon, and more, ensuring easy access to their offerings.

#5: GREYHOUND

Shop: greyhound.co.th

Attention, fashion-forward Singaporean trendsetters! Prepare to be captivated by Greyhound.

Would you believe that Greyhound started back in 1980? The name itself was chosen to evoke an image of elegance, drawing inspiration from the graceful and loyal Greyhound dog, known as man’s best friend. As a renowned Thai brand, Greyhound has gained international recognition for its minimalist and edgy designs. Even their website exudes an undeniable coolness!

Image Credits: facebook.com/greyhound.original

Greyhound’s sophisticated apparel predominantly embraces blacks, whites, and greys. With the use of creative fabrics, daring cuts, and a refined color palette, Greyhound’s contemporary collections showcase sleek silhouettes and experimental designs, making a bold statement in the fashion world.

Sources: 1,2, 3, & 4

 

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Why Did I Develop Allergies as an Adult?

Imagine the nostalgia of taking a bite of your favorite childhood snack, the very one your mother lovingly packed in your school lunchbox every single day. You eagerly anticipate the familiar crunchiness, but instead, your mouth betrays you with an irritating itch, and your throat feels uncomfortably scratchy. It’s a disheartening moment, realizing that you’ve developed oral allergies, a phenomenon that haunts adults more frequently, especially those with a history of seasonal allergies.

Allergies, my friend, are the handiwork of our body’s immune system, a complex dance of defense mechanisms. They stand apart from food intolerance or sensitivity, which arise when our bodies struggle to digest certain foods or food chemicals. In the intricate realm of allergies, our immune system kicks into action, producing a special warrior called Immunoglobulin E, or IgE, to combat the allergy symptoms. IgE is a messenger, a chemical emissary that travels to our cells, urgently conveying the message that we need a chemical defense against these foreign invaders. It’s a fascinating process, really. Allergic individuals tend to have elevated IgE levels in response to seemingly harmless environmental exposures, like innocent pollen particles drifting on the breeze.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Now, let’s embark on a journey to understand how allergies come to life within us, mere mortals. Allergies can sprout forth at any stage of our existence. One factor that magnifies the likelihood of their emergence is the specter of family history. If even one parent carries the burden of allergies, their offspring face a 30-50% chance of walking the same thorny path. But wait, the stakes rise to a staggering 60-80% if both parents bear this burden.

Allergies can also develop later in life due to exposure to new allergens in the environment and changes in the immune system. This can happen anywhere from early adulthood, such as a person’s 20s, to their senior years, when they are in their 70s or 80s. The most common food allergies in adults include peanuts, fish, shellfish (e.g., shrimp and lobster), and tree nuts. Recently, sesame seeds have also emerged as a new allergen in some cases.

The most peculiar aspect of adult-onset allergies is that you can suddenly become irritated by an allergen that didn’t bother you yesterday. You may have been in contact with that allergen every day for years without experiencing any adverse effects. But now, you find yourself with a runny nose, itchy eyes, and uncontrollable sneezing whenever exposed to that allergen.

Some potential triggers for adult-onset allergies include:

1. Allergen exposure when your immune system is weakened, such as during illness, pregnancy, or a condition that compromises your immune function.

2. Limited exposure to an allergen during childhood. You may not have been exposed to high enough levels to trigger a reaction until adulthood.

3. Switching to a new home or workplace with different allergens. This could involve exposure to new plants and trees.

4. Owning a pet for the first time. Research suggests that allergies can develop after an extended period of not having any pets.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

The good news is that allergies can diminish over time. Even if you develop allergies as an adult, you may find that they start to fade away as you reach your 50s and beyond. This is because immune function tends to decline with age, resulting in less severe immune responses to allergens.

Sources: 1 & 2

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This website allows you to search for cheaper meals around you

cai fan variety

Don’t say bojio.

I recently came across this website called BudgetMealGoWhere, a go-to online hub for finding affordable and delicious meals at HDB coffee shops in your neighborhood.

Developed by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and the Government Technology Agency (GovTech), this user-friendly portal is designed to help you uncover wallet-friendly food options close to home.

Simply head to BudgetMealGoWhere, type in your postal code or address, and hit “GO” to explore a world of budget meal and drink choices at nearby HDB coffee shops.

The website conveniently sorts the results by distance, starting with those within a 2 km radius of your location.

You can even navigate between languages!

Here’s what it looks like on my screen:

BudgetMealGoWhere website

But the results weren’t that accurate.

Based on the website search, the nearest coffee shop to my address is FOODCLIQUE, and it’s written as being 1.75km away.

BudgetMealGoWhere website search results

But when I searched on Google on how to get there, it’s actually 2.7 km away.

Google search results

Hmm, is it just me?

Let me know if yours is accurate.

Anyhow, currently featuring about 40 coffee shops, the website is continuously expanding to include more budget-friendly eateries.

To qualify as a budget meal, the offerings should be full meal options such as lunch or dinner, priced affordably compared to other dining establishments.

Typical budget meals range from $3 to $3.50, with basic drinks priced at $1 to $1.15 across various neighborhoods.

Keep an eye out for the budget meal decal sticker on participating stalls’ food displays to easily spot the value-for-money options available.

It looks like this:

budget meal decal sticker

Image Credits: The Housing and Development Board

The options are not plentiful now but the relevant authorities are working on things.

By 2026, your local HDB coffee shops will become even more enticing as they begin to offer a range of budget meal options for folks, as announced by the Senior Minister of State for National Development 2 months ago.

Although this requirement has been implemented since 2018 for newly leased HDB coffee shops, it will now extend to all existing HDB coffee shops as well.

Starting from this month onwards, any HDB rental coffee shop up for tenancy renewal must offer at least 4 budget meals and 2 budget drinks to secure their three-year lease.

With this new tenancy stipulation in place, all 374 HDB-managed coffee shops will feature budget-friendly options by 2026.

This represents almost half of the coffee shops found in HDB estates!

So, get ready to enjoy delectable and affordable meal experiences at an HDB coffee shop near you.

And I sincerely hope they will make some improvements to the search results. :/

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Asking about your delayed promotion without seeming pushy

a female boss talking to her employee

I was suddenly reminded of a close friend at work who was “chasing” after her promotion but kept facing delays.

It was not just a frustrating experience for her but for me as well because I was looking forward to her promotion as much as she was.

But days turned to weeks and weeks to months; nothing happened.

Is that you too?

You’ve been promised a promotion by your boss but months have passed and you’ve yet to receive any official email or letter from your HR?

Then this article is for you.

Keep your emotions in check

Yes, I know your emotions are running high now.

It’s natural.

But showing your emotions for the world to see at work can sabo you instead of aiding the situation.

Woah, woah, don’t get me wrong. I’m certainly not asking you to ignore your feelings. It’s unhealthy.

I’ve “exploded” once at work before and I know how it feels to bottle everything up.

What I’m saying is that you should know the difference between “feeling” and “showing” your emotions.

If you need someone to talk to about the situation, connect with someone outside of work, or better still, seek a professional counselor.

Schedule a meeting to discuss the issue

Sometimes, even the most patient among us needs a gentle reminder about something promised but not delivered.

Don’t second guess your boss’ thoughts. Reach out and ask if you can schedule a meeting to talk about your promotion. Of course, be armed with the main points you want to make.

Share that you are looking for clarity as to when the promotion may come through (since you’ve waited long enough since the last talk).

Tip: Keep that accusatory tone in your bag.

Come prepared with examples of your achievements

If you’ve stayed long enough, you would have some past performance reviews stashed somewhere, right?

Quarterly-Performance-Review-Template

Image Credits: venngage.com

Use that as a starting point.

Highlight the positives in your past reviews—whether that be praises from your colleagues, successful projects you spearheaded, or any other accomplishments that speak to the value you’ve added thus far.

You can also share some “evidence” of successes that you’ve had since the promise of your promotion was made.

But we all know we’re not flawless.

So play the balance game by mentioning your shortcomings—delayed project deadlines or issues with communication—whatever it is, openly acknowledging your flaws can show that you’re aware of personal areas of improvement.

Express your commitment to career growth at the company

You want the promotion for the money. That’s a fact.

But showing it upfront is not going to get you anywhere.

You want your boss to know that you don’t just want the promotion—you want to take ownership of the opportunity and drive results for the company.

And you can do so by revealing your long-term vision for yourself and the company.

Showing that staying at the company is part of your long-term plans will help demonstrate that you don’t just want the position—you want to be here over time, to contribute in every single way.

Okay lah, a bit fake but you want the promotion, right?

Ask for clear next steps and timelines

You can’t be waiting forever for a delayed promotion.

I sure won’t.

So ask for the details about your promotion. This will give you an idea of how long the process may take.

But be reasonable too.

For example, if your bosses are dealing with a huge project or it’s “paperwork season”, they may need more time than usual to process your promotion.

This is why it’s important to be patient and understanding when waiting for an official confirmation of your promotion.

Gear up for the next steps if the promotion ain’t happening

If months have gone by (or worse still, a year or two) and there’s still no sign of your long-awaited promotion, it’s time to think ahead.

Perhaps it’s about time you start looking elsewhere for opportunities that could help you get ahead in your career.

Go to job search portals and start researching potential similar roles in other companies.

mycareersfuture.gov.sg

Prep your resume and portfolio, write cover letters… you know the drill, yeah?

And yes, it’s time to log in to your moldy LinkedIn profile and start networking—you never know what opportunities may arise.

However, be sure to not neglect your current duties in your role as you await more updates from your boss and HR manager.

And always, always, leave on a good note (if you’re resigning). Burning bridges won’t do you any good.

As we close, if your boss is delaying your promotion, don’t be afraid to ask why. Be direct but polite, and make sure you’re specific about the terms of the promotion. By being mindful of both your needs as well as your boss’, you can have a productive conversation about your delayed promotion without seeming pushy. Remember, the only way to get what you want is to ask for it. Don’t settle for anything less than you deserve.

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