A Thai designer who has made it big, there’s not much Soontharee Balek hasn’t seen and done. From humble beginnings as a Fine Arts undergraduate at Bangkok University, she then attended the London College of Fashion before actualizing her dreams in New York City and finally becoming the founder and creative director of her own womenswear brand, Angelys Balek. With seven collections already in the bag and several Hollywood stars like Kourtney Kardashian and Jamie Chung sporting her brand, she has now expanded her original store at Siam Square to a new stylish space on the second floor of ZEN at Central World.
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A FASHION DESIGNER?
I’ve always been creative - I sketched and played with paper dolls from a young age - but the starting point in my career was when I became a finalist in the WGSN Global Fashion Awards in 2013. This was the moment that first propelled my career as a fashion designer.
WHAT IS THE ANGELYS BALEK SIGNATURE STYLE?
Patterns and detailing are a huge part of the brand.
I draw and create my own patterns inspired by personal experiences from all over the world. Travelling has been and is still my biggest passion. Everything I see, hear, feel and touch play a major part in each collection.
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE WEARING YOUR BRAND?
I don’t have a muse, nor do I only design for one type of woman. Angelys Balek is designed for every lady to look and feel good. But if I had to pick, I think Alexa Chung would look lovely in one of my dresses.
WHICH DESIGNERS DO YOU LOOK UP TO?
I find that the people who inspire me are those who I hold close to my heart. Kyoko Ueda is the most influential person to me. Not only is she a talented pattern maker [working for Giles Deacon] but she is also a wonderful friend.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN THE NEXT ANGELYS BALEK COLLECTION?
I can’t give too much away but what I can tell you is that I will be visiting La Biennale di Venezia, an architecture exhibition in Venice, so it shouldn’t be hard to find inspiration there.
IS THERE ANY ADVICE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH ASPIRING DESIGNERS?
It’s not just about making beautiful clothes or becoming the biggest name in the industry. It’s about understanding the market, listening to your customers, staying updated with trends, having an eye for detail and not being afraid to learn something new. Since I came from a fine arts background, I knew I also had to grasp the business side of fashion. I would research and attend talks and seminars, which I found to be very helpful. They were all necessary steps in order to run a successful business and it was a huge learning curve for me.
