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Koktail Magazine
23 Aug 2024
‘The Future List 100’ project is our annual curation of 100 individuals who are making positive contributions to Thailand.
Check out this link to see our e-magazine for The Future List 2024.
Peerumakorn “Kai” Worasatrthaporn, the force behind Ukas Design. Known for her high-end streetwear that melds rock-and-roll chic with ethnic textiles, Kai is carving out a niche that’s both stylish and socially conscious. Her designs reflect her deep-seated values and a commitment to cultural diversity, making her a true standout in the fashion industry.
“When I was little, I was obsessed with designing clothes for my paper dolls,”
Kai muses, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.
“It was my way of playing with creativity and dreaming up different styles.”
This early love for fashion pushed her to take dressmaking courses at the Alliance Française, where she honed her skills and developed a deeper understanding of fashion.
“Fashion begins with our roots,”
she says,
“The clothing of our ancestors shapes our identity. Without those roots, fashion is nothing more than fabric.”
It’s a sentiment that feels almost confrontational, as if she’s challenging the entire industry’s obsession with the new and the trendy. For Kai, tradition isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the foundation.
Kai’s designs don’t shy away from contradictions—they embrace them.
“It’s a designer’s job to make the impossible possible,”
she states, matter-of-factly. Her pieces are a collision of chic and rock-and-roll, tempered with the rich textures of ethnic textiles. It’s a blend that shouldn’t work, but somehow, under Kai’s vision, it does.
“What seems like a clash to others is what makes the design compelling. It’s about making something unforgettable.”
One of the defining features of Kai’s work is her ability to combine chic and rock-and-roll aesthetics with ethnic textiles.
“What may seem like an incongruity to others can become the charm of the design. It’s about personal taste and making something that stands out.”
Kai doesn’t just talk about diversity; she lives it through her designs, as she believes
“Peace lies in the diversity of culture, civilization, and society.”
This philosophy is evident in her work, which often incorporates elements from different cultures and traditions.
Kai is also deeply involved in social initiatives, working with youth and women’s groups in Thailand through partnerships with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. She sees this work as an extension of her design philosophy.
“If you have resources, you should share them,”
she says, simply.
“And if you don’t, you need to be wise with what you have. Supporting vulnerable groups—like orphans and disabled individuals—is one way to give back, to make a real difference.”
Kai draws inspiration from two fashion legends: Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood. Gaultier’s rebellious, punk-inspired designs have been a major influence on her work.
“Jean Paul Gaultier has been my inspiration since childhood,”
Kai says, admiring his ability to challenge the norms of fashion. This influence is clear in Kai’s own designs, which often incorporate bold, unconventional elements.
Vivienne Westwood, whom Kai considers the “great-grandmother of fashion designers,” has also shaped her career. Kai admires Westwood’s longevity in the fashion industry, noting that a designer’s career doesn’t have an expiration date.
“In my opinion, a designer’s career doesn’t have a lifespan, unlike that of a football player, which often ends at 32, or a model, where 25 is considered old. Designers are ageless; they don't have a career expiration. The older you get, the more you need to produce better work, continuously developing your creativity,”
she declares, with a certainty that leaves no room for doubt.
These icons have taught Kai important lessons about the nature of creativity and success.
“Their work reminds me that success is not about where you come from but about what you create,”
she says.
“No matter where you were born or what your family background is, you can become successful in what you do and who you are,”
Kai adds.
Kai sees a bright future for high-end streetwear, with continued growth in the market for unique, designer-driven styles.
“I don’t like monotony,”
she says.
“I’m drawn to things that are new, unique, and unlike anything else.”
Kai’s focus on her refusal to settle for the ordinary are what set her apart in this fashion scene.
As she looks to the future, Kai plans to keep challenging herself and her audience with designs that are both trendy and meaningful. She wants her clothes to feel like more than just garments—they should resonate with the wearer on a deeper level.
“I want people to wear clothes that feel like they’ve met their soulmates,”
she says.
In Kai’s own words,
“We should be women who are no longer just a trend in the market, but something much more unique.”
She's crafting a narrative—one that demands to be seen, heard, and felt. With her dedication to meaningful design, Kai is certainly on her way to achieving just that.
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