15th March, Bangkok - Mercedes-Benz is sponsoring special prizes for young designers participating in the Graduate Fashion Week, part of Bangkok Fashion Week 2006, which staged at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Three award winning designers who have achieved international recognition from Mercedes-Benz sponsored fashion design competitions are invited to join the event.



For many years, Mercedes-Benz authorized dealer DaimlerChrysler (Thailand) Co Ltd has committed to supporting the development of the fashion industry, and this year the company is a main sponsor of the upcoming Fashion Week, at which Mercedes-Benz cars are selected as the Official Vehicle.

The winner and runner-ups at Graduate Fashion Week can collect exclusive prizes from MercedesBenz and they are represent Thailand in the Mercedes-Benz Asia Fashion Award Regional Final in Singapore. The winner of this regional competition are entitled to a cash prize of US$ 10,000, or about 390,000 baht, along with an exclusive invitation to exhibit awarding winning design works at the International Fashion Week and a training programme at DaimlerChrysler Advanced Design Centre in Como, Italy.

The three emerging designers from the Thailand Fashion Designer Contest, which was organised by DaimlerChrysler (Thailand) Co Ltd in coperation with the Department of Export Promotion, are exhibit their design masterpieces at the Graduate Fashion Week.




The winner of Mercedes-Benz Asia Fashion Award 2005 Jeenanun Kongthanathaveenunt was presented his multi-sized, magnet-embedded outfits featuring the alternative design theme of versatility and unconventional flexibility.

The Asia Fashion Award 2005 is part of the Singapore Fashion Festival. Those celebrated are 12 winners from six countries - Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Thailand Fashion Designer Contest 2005 award wining designer Thitipol Chitrasantisuk is exhibiting his "Memoir" collection inspired by time, memory and loneliness written on his personal diary. Thitipol is currently working for Grey by Greyhound and as a part-time stylist for one of Thailand's leading magazines. His work is noted for the successful combination of layering of concept and colours.

Equally appealing, Veerasak Wongsathapornkul, who was the winner at Thailand Fashion Designer Contest 2004, is showcase his 'Kai Ready to Wear' collection. He is now an independent designer.

Through this sponsorship, Mercedes-Benz has once gain demonstrated its continuous support and encouragement to fuel the development within the Thai fashion industry in pursuit of global presence.