W: Gill Scott
The 2025 graduate showcase at Srinakharinwirot University’s College of Creative Industry (CCI) was defined by a singular, looming challenge: how to reconcile the weight of Thai tradition with the urgent, clinical demands of the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy. Among the 27 designers who presented, Piyabud Waleekeitkul emerged not just as a student, but as a sophisticated architect of identity. His collection functioned as a bridge between the analogue past and a speculative future, treating "Thai-ness" not as a fixed costume, but as a living, breathing algorithm.
"Piyabud treats cultural heritage as software rather than a relic, reprogramming tradition for a digital, globalized era."
Technically, the collection was a masterclass in the "intimacy of construction" that CCI has become known for. Waleekeitkul’s silhouettes were unapologetically architectural, featuring deep, structured volumes that felt both protective and ethereal. There was a deliberate tension in the material choices; by juxtaposing technical, synthetic textiles with raw, organic fibers, he managed to satisfy the sustainability brief without the aesthetic "drabness" that often plagues eco-conscious fashion. The garments didn't just hang on the body; they seemed to redefine the body’s relationship to the space around it.
"The collection represents a masterful balance of speculative design and commercial viability, proving that the future of regional fashion is being built in Bangkok."
What sets Waleekeitkul apart is his refusal to look West for validation. In a global market often saturated with European-centric aesthetics, this collection felt rooted in the humid, neon-lit energy of modern Bangkok. It was "Heritage Futurism" in its purest form—a collection that respects the craftsmanship of the ancestors while acknowledging that the next generation of Thai designers is ready to lead the global conversation on circular luxury. As the standout of the 2025 cohort, Piyabud Waleekeitkul has signalled that he is a designer whose voice will likely resonate far beyond the walls of the SWU House.
