Polpat Asavaprapha

with Suquan Bulakul

Polpat Asavaprapha, founder and creative director of leading Thai fashion house Asava, doesn’t hesitate when asked to name his favourite muse—actress Suquan Bulakul, the former Nation TV news anchor and current ambassador for Japanese skincare label SK-II. “When I think about the representation of my brand I immediately think of Suquan,” he says confidently. “She’s smart, charming, and beautiful— truly a woman of the 21st century. I admire her innate elegance. She has natural grace and poise and that makes her a treasure to design for.”

Asavaprapha and 46-year-old Suquan, who is married to Farm Chokchai agribusiness magnate Choak Bulakul, have known each other for a long time. “We have become very close over the years and I know her tastes well. Working together is always laid-back and fun, and I just know my clothes will look great on her,” says the graduate of New York’s Parsons School of Design. Asavaprapha cut his teeth in fashion in New York, where he worked for Marc Jacobs, Giorgio Armani and Max Mara before returning to Thailand to launch his own business in 2008.

Today, Asavaprapha’s business has grown to include five lines—his couture label, Asava, a more youthful sister line called ASV by Asava, Asava White for bridal, Uniform by Sava, which produces stylish uniforms for the likes of Bangkok Airways, Unilever, and SO Sofitel hotels, plus his latest venture, MOO, a menswear collection.