The antique world calling
Noi Wongwigayakarn (62) is from Bangkok and lives and works in Chiang Mai for 10 years now.
"I'm a designer and I never make the same thing twice. This is what I love to do, this is my life."
"My family comes from the antique Thai world. My Mom lived in the royal palace of the elder sister of king Rama VI in Bangkok. But as a kid I was looking for the modern world, for a modern life."
"Most of my life I worked in the real estate and hotel business, a world that has nothing to do with the antique world of my Mom."
"But one day, when I was nearly 50, I was offered a job in an antique museum and decided to take it. It was weird, it had nothing to do with the life I lived and wanted. Maybe it was my blood calling."
"When I saw the antiques in the museum I was shattered. All of what my Mom had taught me about antiques as a kid came back to me. But most of all I was drawn to the antique silk and cotton costumes."
"I started to design. Think of it, I never had designed a thing in my life! I saw myself integrate the antique costumes with contemporary styles. I had become a fashion designer."
"I came to Chiang Mai for two reasons. One: the great weather. Two: the cotton industry here. The traditionally made cotton in Chiang Mai is of great quality."
"So here I am. Doing what I do. Doing what I love to do."
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