BEYOND THE MALL: BANGKOK’S 6 HOTTEST FASHION COLLECTIVES
words by ROMÉE AVRIL
In a city where street food and street style go hand in hand, Bangkok’s fashion scene offers a refreshing alternative to sterile, air-conditioned shopping malls. Scattered across eclectic neighborhoods like Ari and Siam, these shops aren’t just retail spaces—they’re capsules of culture, passion, and taste. Here are five gems that to me define Bangkok’s independent fashion landscape.
VINTAGE BY TIDA
images by ROMÉE AVRIL
Hidden above an unassuming café, you will find the bag closet of your dreams. Launched in 2019, Vintage by Tida started as an online store selling curated vintage pieces from Tida’s personal collection. During the COVID-19 lockdown, the brand gained momentum and as of recently, the boutique has outgrown its digital shell. Tucked in Ari, a neighborhood known for its indie cafés and concept stores, Vintage by Tida offers a discreet yet dazzling space filled with rare designer finds. From it-kid Balenciaga, limited-edition Cartier watches, and Louis Vuitton x Murakami chain bags, the curation is sharp, fearless, and deeply personal. Tida has an eye for pieces that feel collected, not just stocked—and it shows.
HDKK VINTAGE STORE
images via instagram @hdkk_vintage_store
HDKK is a fever dream for maximalists. Located in Siam, this curated designer vintage boutique is stacked with oversized varsity jackets, washed-out denim, rugged leather, and uncommon accessories. The store’s energy is kinetic—a curated chaos that invites digging and discovering. It’s a go-to spot for those chasing bold statements and out of the box gems, all handpicked with a love for nostalgia and pop culture crossovers.
NONG RAK
images via instagram @thenongrak
Not vintage, but very much in a league of its own. Founded by a Thai-American couple, Nong Rak is a hand-knit love letter to slow fashion. Using organic cotton, mohair, and deadstock yarns, the brand’s tactile pieces are as emotionally rich as they are visually stunning. Worn by muses Alexa Chung, Amine and Gabbriette, their looks and personality connects craft to sustainability, and sensuality. Ethereal but grounded, Nong Rak is redefining what Thai-made fashion looks and feels like.
MADBACON
images courtesy of MADBACON
Ari’s coolest concept store didn’t start with fashion. Madbacon began as a quirky souvenir shop before morphing into a launchpad for local designers and avant-garde aesthetics. Up a narrow iron staircase awaits a space brimming with sculptural silhouettes from the likes of Issey Miyake and Comme des Garçons. Sit down at the cafe in the back of the store if you need some time to think about what item you will add to your wardrobe.
COSTUME BANGKOK
images via instagram @costumebkk
If you like your vintage with a side of effortless cool, Costume Bangkok delivers. While being among one of the first curated vintage stores in Bangkok, they are locked in to over fifteen years of retail experience. The space is minimal, the hangers heavy with meaning—tailored jackets, unexpected cuts, and quietly bold choices. I love how their pieces whisper style rather than screaming it. Costume offers a moodboard of retro classics, reimagined with restraint and elegance. I gasped while spotting this jaw dropping CHANEL ring, but had to refrain from buying it as I am an independent artist on tour through Asia.
PONY STONE
images via instagram @ponystone_official
If Bangkok had a rockstar label, it would be Pony Stone. The brand is globally known for its fiercely deconstructed denim, subversive silhouettes, and body-celebrating cuts. Worn regularly by BLACKPINK and loved by those who live for fashion with bite, Pony Stone turns destruction into desire. The SHARK hoodie cut-out bodysuit is on my wish list—equal parts rebellious and architectural. In Bangkok, you’ll find it at HIDE in Ari, a concept store as cool and curated as the clothes it carries.