What a pleasure to know that the runway can meet responsibility! In the field of sustainable luxury and its experts, one name stands out: Onsirin Buranupakorn. As the founder and creative director of the luxury ready-to-wear brand ONSIRIN, Buranupakorn has been making waves in the field. Her ascent to the pinnacle of eco-chic design is both uplifting and educational, serving as a masterclass in the art of high-end aesthetics with environmental consciousness. Her expertise is grounded in a rich tapestry of experiences that have shaped her unique vision. Growing up in Thailand, she was immersed in a world where Old Hollywood glamor intersected with the elegance of Thai women, laying the foundation for her distinctive aesthetic. This cultural mix would later become a hallmark of her designs, setting her apart in the competitive New York fashion scene.
An iconic name in New York fashion, Anna Sui, with whom Buranupakornil had an extraordinary collaboration. As a sample room associate, Buranupakorn handled various aspects of the production process. She documented incoming fabrics and prepared samples for different departments. Her current role as a Design & Branding Associate at Sem Sem, a luxury evening wear brand, has sharpened her skills in visual storytelling and brand communication. This experience has deepened her understanding of creating garments for special occasions, adding another layer of expertise to her sustainable luxury approach.
The culmination of Buranupakorn’s journey and expertise was her recent debut at New York Fashion Week. ONSIRIN partnered with Runway7 and showcased five outfits, 3 womenswear and 2 menswear. It emphasized traditional femme silhouettes with a deconstructed edge. The collection called the ‘Great Feminine Appropriation’ is a masterpiece that whispered secrets of a greener future to wide-eyed fashion aficionados. It was a milestone that shows how revolutionary this brilliant designer is! Each garment showed her expertise. It whispered secrets of a greener future to wide-eyed fashion aficionados and industry veterans alike.
Runway 7 New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2024 – Ashley Victorian Haute Couture, Magic The Label, Elements of Styles, ONSIRIN, Xu, Capo Salerno
With this wealth of experience and a string of successes under her belt, Buranupakorn is uniquely positioned to give invaluable insights into the sustainable luxury fashion field.
Her approach is not just about creating beautiful clothes. She’s reshaping the entire paradigm of what luxury fashion can and should be in an era of increasing environmental awareness.
“For me, sustainability and luxury are not mutually exclusive – in fact, I believe true luxury should be sustainable,” Buranupakorn states, encapsulating the philosophy that forms the foundation of her brand. Her statement challenges the long-held notion that luxury and eco-friendliness are incompatible. She is setting the stage for a new understanding of what it means to create luxurious fashion. Truly remarkable!
One of the aspects where Buranupakorn’s expertise shines is in her approach to materials. “One of my favorite techniques is upcycling deadstock fabrics and thrifted garments to create one-of-a-kind fashion pieces,” she reveals. This method not only minimizes waste but also results in unique, luxurious designs that embody the essence of sustainable fashion. How commendable her commitment is to creativity and sustainability through transforming overlooked materials into high-end pieces!
Buranupakorn’s mastery extends to the art of timeless design. This is an important aspect of sustainable fashion. “Sustainable fashion is about creating pieces that will be treasured for years to come,” she states. Her focus on timeless designs with unique details that can be styled in multiple ways ensures longevity in both quality and style. This approach requires more effort and innovation, but as Buranupakorn notes, “that’s what makes it rewarding!”
The designer’s expertise is best exemplified in her recent fashion editorials. Her “Naturally Pleated” campaign showcases her mastery of innovative techniques. “We explored innovative pleating techniques using only natural, biodegradable materials,” she explains. “The result was a collection of garments that move and flow like living sculptures, inspired by organic forms found in nature.” This campaign shows Buranupakorn’s technical skills. It also showed her ability to challenge fashion norms.
Another evidence to her expertise is the “Bangkok After Dark” collection. Renowned for its stunning Buddhist temples and vibrant nightlife, Bangkok is a city that balances deeply rooted traditions with a global reputation for sex tourism. The collection as Buranupakorn describes it is a homage to her roots.
Photos by Thee Tham. Collection Name: “Bangkok After Dark” Model/Collaborator: Mimi Tao
Buranupakorn’s expertise also extends to the broader context of the fashion industry. She sees technology playing a critical role in the future of sustainable luxury. “I believe the future of fashion, especially in New York, lies in the intersection of individuality, sustainability, and technology,” she predicts. Her foresight in this area positions her as a visionary for the future of the industry.
For those looking to embrace sustainable luxury fashion, Buranupakorn offers expert advice rooted in her years of experience. “Don’t be afraid to start small and grow organically,” she encourages. “I began by upcycling thrifted garments and
experimenting with different techniques.” This wisdom highlights the importance of experimentation and gradual growth in developing sustainable fashion practices. Buranupakorn also shines through in her holistic view of fashion production. “It’s about creativity and craftsmanship,” she explains. “When I work with deadstock fabrics or repurpose thrifted garments, I see it as an exciting creative challenge.” Additionally, Buranupakorn emphasized the importance of staying true to one’s vision while remaining open to evolution. “Stay true to your unique vision while remaining open to learning and evolving,” she advises. “New York’s fashion scene is incredibly competitive, but it’s also full of opportunities for those who are passionate and persistent.”
Buranupakorn’s vision has also captured the attention of those who curate the future of style. L’Officiel Thailand, a beacon of fashion foresight, chose to illuminate its 12th-anniversary issue with Buranupakorn’s radiant ideas. She mentioned that the feature positioned them “as thought leaders in sustainable luxury fashion.”
Onsirin Buranupakorn’s journey from an international designer to a recognized celebrity designer in fashion is truly like no other. Her insights are obtained from years of hands-on experience and innovative thinking. This serves as a guide for those looking to enter the industry. As she said, you should not be afraid to challenge conventional notions of fashion.
