One of my goals, in coming to Bangkok, was to seek out the local, experimental fashion that’s been receiving worldwide buzz. To get the scoop, Seby and I hit Siam Discovery and its sister malls, where brands like FlyNow, Wonder Anatomie, and Sretsis are based.

Most of you are familiar with Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Seoul style. But what’s the streetwear scene like in Bangkok? Colorful, vintage-inspired and experimental.

My number one shopping destination in Bangkok: Siam Square. (989 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok.) You can easily spend a day (and a lot of baht) in this entertainment district, which consists of several branches…

♥ Siam Paragon houses international luxury brands, like Chanel and Cartier. Seby and I didn’t even step foot in there, since that’s not where our interests lie.
♥ Siam Center has multiple floors of both local and international clothing brands.
♥ Siam Discovery is part of this complex, and my favorite of them all. It’s brimming with concept labels and avant-garde couture.
♥ MBK Center caters more to BKK residents, with both knock-offs and authentic goods.

With so much to see in one space, no wonder Siam Square is a favorite hangout for young Bangkok locals.

Izzue, a Hong Kong favorite of ours, has a boutique in Siam Center.

The designs are plush and poppy as ever. This pink jacket can double as a travel neck pillow!

Izzue makes winter-wear fun, although you wouldn’t need hats and jackets for the warm weather in Southeast Asia…

Angelababy looks out from her B+ab poster. You can feel Hong Kong and Japanese influences here, but as you’ll see below, Bangkok fashion takes a mind of its own.

The Discovery section encourages boutiques to get creative with their store displays. I ran into a robot-monster…

… and got into a sticky situation at Models Own, a cosmetics and nail polish bar.

More here!

My mind is swirling with memories of Bangkok. The golden temples, avantgarde street style… I feel inspired and refreshed after my trip to Thailand, and am eager to share my stories with you!

We’ll start with a photoshoot inside Sofitel So, a modern hotel styled by famed designer Christian Lacroix.

As you’ll recall, Thai Tourism sent Seby and me to report on the city’s innovative fashion, pop culture and districts.

No hostels and backpacking for this duo. We were hosted by Sofitel So Bangkok, a blissfully elegant 5-star hotel in a central location (about 10 min south of my favorite local mall, Siam Discovery, which I’ll show you soon).

Before you assume our stay is out of your budget — remember, this is Southeast Asia. Luxury hotels and spas are literally a third of the price you’d pay in Vancouver, LA, London or Tokyo. It’s great value to spend a bit more for a nice room in Bangkok, especially if you’re here for a honeymoon or special trip.

The hotel is divided into five Elements, with each theme customized by different designer. My cavern-like blue abode is part of the Earth group. Other guests stay in Water, Wood, Metal and Fire rooms (interior photos coming soon).

Since I’m a design-addict, I appreciated the subtle decorative elements everywhere, such as these horse and human silhouettes reflected in the elevator mirrors.

Who is this chic lady next to me? One of the sweet staff members! French couture genius Christian Lacroix designed all the hotel uniforms — what a nice perk of working here. I’m doing my best to match her style in a grey, drapey 2Percent top/dress from Hong Kong.

Monsieur Lacroix also had his hand in the lobby’s design, as you can tell from the imaginative lighting and furniture.

Seby and I had “Club Signature” access, which meant a number of benefits including entry to the 25th floor lounge. (Most of these photos are by Seby.)

The Club Lounge balcony gave us this view of Lumpini Park. We traveled to Bangkok in early October, during the rainy season, but the weather was pleasant — it only rained briefly — and I didn’t get a single bite from my nemesis, the mosquito.

We spent a lot of time in this VIP lounge, also designed by Christian Lacroix. After a day of sightseeing, it was nice to unwind with free cocktails, look at the fashion displays and magazines, and snack on the never-ending supply of food.

Even the fresh pineapple had a pretty shape!

In the mornings, we couldn’t wait to come downstairs for breakfast. The selection included…

… Greek yogurt, tropical fruits, smoked salmon, cottage cheese, special salads, and fresh mango juice.

And if, by some miracle, you are still hungry — there is a Bonnet chocolate shop on the ground floor.

Since it was near Halloween, the main window featured Jack O Lanterns and bloody eyeballs. For those with less morbid inclinations, there were gourmet cakes, chocolates and other sweets.

The couture theme extends throughout the hotel. Near the elevators stood a ballgown by Thai designer, Tawn C.

The dress was surrounded by these gold bunnies.

Not far away, this goat greeted guests.

On the first evening, Seby and I had dinner at Park Society, the top floor restaurant with a futuristic feel.

A woman in a long flowing gown led us to our table, through a matrix of glass, mirrors and stainless steel.

Our table overlooked the bright lights of Bangkok. Outside, customers lounged and drank molecular cocktails at Hiso rooftop bar.

It happened to be the Thailand Vegetarian Festival, a time for locals to cleanse their bodies for health and peace. To celebrate, Park Society offered a meatless tasting menu. I was in heaven since they served two of my favorite dishes: pumpkin ravioli and warm, chocolate lava cake.

Can you tell I had a wonderful time at the Sofitel So Hotel? So, so worth the splurge if you travel to Bangkok! I still have to take you inside their spa, swimming pool and unique rooms.

And of course, Seby and I did plenty of urban exploration. Coming up: reports on the coolest Thai clubs and fashion.

Are you an admirer of Christian Lacroix’s work? What do you think of our royal Thailand experience so far?