Meet Thailand's teenage fashion designer in our first weekly column featuring the nominees of the 2024 Future List 100 by Koktail

Still an IGCSE student at Denla British School, Purisa "Minnie" Hengtrakulsin has already made a mark in the fashion scene. Her venture into entrepreneurship was sparked by Coco Chanel's biography and funded by using her Chinese New Year savings.

At 7 years old, Minnie expressed a desire to establish her own brand, and she continues to reaffirm this decision when discussing aspirations with her parents. Consequently, the family brainstormed a brand name and designed a logo, leading to the birth of the Purisa Glitzy brand in 2015.

Her debut collection, "Purisa Glitzy," launched in 2016. However, it was her second collection, "PLOY," inspired by the Thai musical drama "Four Reigns," that started to get her noticed. Drawing inspiration from historical Thai fashion mixed with Victorian elements, Minnie's crafted designs captured international attention, laying the foundation for her future collections. She finds inspiration in everything around her; for example, her collection 'Girlish' tells the story of a little girl growing into a young lady, inspired by her pencil case with beads and glitter underneath transparent plastic. Additionally, her collection 'Glitzy Pop' draws inspiration from her exposure to Pop art during some time spent in the UK.

Minnie’s ability to draw from diverse sources and infuse them into her designs demonstrates her artistic depth and creativity.

Despite her young age, Minnie has since created over 13 collections and gained global recognition as Thailand's youngest fashion designer and possibly the world's youngest owner of a successful clothing brand. She firmly believes that if we want to do something, we can start now no matter how old we are. Her accomplishments showcase the possibilities when talent meets determination.

While Minnie's creations are bespoke and reflect her artistic vision, she understands the importance of financial management. Entrusting the financial aspects of her business to her parents, who own a wholesale clothing shop in Bangkok, Minnie focuses on honing her design skills and expanding her brand's reach.

Minnie remains committed to inspiring younger generations to pursue their passions fearlessly. With her voice earning accolades in The Golden Singer 2023 competition and her entrepreneurial spirit driving Purisa Glitzy's success, Minnie is on track to become one of Thailand's most beloved clothing icons. It’s all about the power of determination, creativity, and passion in achieving one's dreams.

Minnie's story resonates deeply in a world where traditional barriers to entry often discourage young entrepreneurs. Through her journey, she exemplifies the essence of perseverance, reminding us that age is not a limitation but rather an opportunity to defy expectations and carve a unique path.