Thailand’s Rising Talent Shines at Samyan Mitrtown
Creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship were on full display at Samyan Mitrtown as the 2025 Thailand Regional Final for the Real Leather. Stay Different. Student Design Competition came to life. The venue buzzed with energy as young designers presented their work to a panel of industry judges, showcasing the future of sustainable fashion in Thailand.
Judging was far from a passive process. Each finalist’s submission was examined in detail—from leather quality and stitching precision to conceptual depth and practical wearability. The judges not only reviewed but engaged, asking thoughtful questions to understand the thinking behind each piece and the designer’s vision for real leather in the modern world.
After a day of insightful presentations and rigorous evaluation, the winner of the Apparel category was announced:
Apparel Category Winner: Phanteera Thangthavornsirikul – Europa’s Embrace
At just 20 years old, Phanteera Thangthavornsirikul (@cchicha.a), a Fashion Design student at Chulalongkorn University, impressed the judges with a piece that was both conceptually rich and technically accomplished.
Her design, Europa’s Embrace, draws inspiration from Greek mythology – specifically the tale of Europa and the white bull. Phanteera reimagines the story through a contemporary lens, weaving together elements of ancient symbolism and Minoan cultural motifs with a distinctly modern, feminine grunge aesthetic.
Her use of leather demonstrated an advanced understanding of the material’s potential – showcasing its softness, structure and sensuality. Cut, layered and sculpted with care, the garment carried a sense of movement and tension, echoing the myth’s underlying themes of vulnerability, power and transformation.
What truly stood out was Phanteera’s ability to balance storytelling with functionality. Her work communicated emotional depth while maintaining wearability – a reflection of her growing confidence as both a designer and a creative thinker.
Phanteera’s win is not just a celebration of individual talent, but a signal of what’s next in sustainable fashion. Through leather, she told a story that was personal, provocative and rooted in cultural exploration. A designer to watch.
Josslyn Shi from California College of Art has been crowned Overall Winner of the Real Leather. Stay Different. International Student Design Competition at a glittering final event held at the U.S. Embassy in London.
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