I’m not big on Thai designers really.

Not that I don’t wanna “buy Thai”, it’s just that most of the times these Thai designers price their work almost at the same level as big fashion houses like Prada and DG. It’s crazy. OK not to sound mean, but really who do they think they are? Karl Lagerfeld? For charging their simple blouses no less than B10,000.

But then my whole perception (and hopes) for Thai designers changed when I met P’ Tu, Tipayaphong Poosanaphong.

I first got to know about him from his hat exhibition he had at Emporium. BK interviewed him for Almost Famous, an introductory interview piece we give to artists, bands, and aspiring creative minds who we know have big future waiting for them.

Then, I got to know him myself when I was doing the cover story on Thai designers. Out of all the 5 designers I interviewed for the story, he was the one who truly stands out, in both his designs and personality.

He’s the most friendliest, sweetest, and down-to-earth person I have ever met, despite his experience working as the right hand of big fashion firms in Paris for years. Other local designers just slap on a few wads of cash and a flashy certificate from art schools and they can set up shops and act as if they’re best friends with Coco Chanel.

For Tipa, for short in the industry, his only shop under his self-titled brand, Tipayaphongpoosanaphong, is run by his own older sister, P’ Aor who’s more than welcome to give you stories about Tipa while you’re trying on his dresses. He’s also one of the very few designers here who are actually at the shop, interacting with customers as if he was just another salesperson.

I went to his store today to congratulate him on his fantastic show last week at the Elle Fashion Week. And also to thank him and P’ Aor for giving me a great front row seat! I mean, if the show were Paris Fashion Week, Paris Hilton and Victoria Beckham would be sitting where I was sitting.

His show was uber fantastic. Speakeasy was its theme, but with a touch of modern colors. Think disco Chicago. And the 1920s being MY FAVORITE era of style, I fell it love with it.

Unlike other shows where they shower you with fancy lighting and nothing else but models strutting their stuff, Tipa took Paris home with him and stage a whole mini Cabaret, complete with divas (well, divalicous men) entertaining the guests, a tango dance number, models as roaring twenties era prostitutes and fake cat(walk) fights. IT WAS AWESOME.

Even though I’m in no way related to him, only an interview and a few store visits, I feel really proud of him. A young Thai teenager, so determined to work in fashion, he sent himself to Paris and started from scratch by babysitting and working in button-sorting department. And look where he is now.

People I know who went to shows like Sretsis and Kloset and NOT his because they didn’t know the brand, they all came to me saying they regret missing his show. The Elle coverage of his show doesn’t do it justice at all, so check out the ThaiCatwalk.com coverage instead of the complete collection.

Also worth a look is his shop on 3rd floor of Siam Center. Going through the racks of his designs you’d think they’d cost you at least B10,000 for a dress full of delicate details and fancy fabric. Now divide that by half. All the clothes, hats, suits and bags made, fabrics picked, every stitches and embroidery, all by him.

I wore his pink geometric drape dress on my Valentine’s date, too, and again to his fashion show on Sunday. I asked him about the dresses I saw at the show and he said they were not really made for sale, but he will adapt to make it more suitable for off-runway routine.

I can’t wait. I will be the first in line to own a Gatsby Tipa dress.