Page 92 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 6 | August - September 2024

Masala recently had the pleasure of meeting up
with Zenita at Rue de Mansri, a chic café nestled
in the gritty core of old town. In this vibrant setting,
we delved into Zenita’s sustainable closet and gained
a first-hand look at their distinctive and edgy style.

How would you characterise your personal
style?
I started exploring fashion when I was fifteen during
a summer camp programme in Tokyo, Japan. I
visited the famous Takeshita Street in Harajuku
and the Shibuya 109 building, both which were
the hub of the fashionistas. However, my style does
often fluctuate depending on the occasion. For
a photoshoot in Chinatown, expect me in edgy,
street-style fashion. When attending a wedding or a
significant gala dinner, you’ll find me in an oversized
yet sophisticated blazer, blending elegance with
bold statement-making. To pinpoint, I would say
my personal style is very playful as I am always eager
to try anything new!

What influenced you to embrace fashion
and pursue the subject in higher education?
I must say, playing around with different styles and
looks has always brought me profound joy. However,
I owe much of my journey to my late classmate and
dear friend, Pranit Balani. His unwavering support
and gentle spirit encouraged me to embrace my
truest self and pursue fashion. I dedicate this article
to him and his kind, encouraging heart.

What influences shape your personal style?
Living in the tropical climate of Thailand, the
weather plays a significant role in shaping my
style choices, as it often gets quite heated here!
Travelling to different countries and exploring areas
like the vibrant Siam shopping district offers endless
opportunities to observe emerging trends. Even
random online ads from clothing stores on social
media become sparks of inspiration, encouraging
me to experiment with new styles.

Do you have any style icons who inspire you?
Three inspirations come to mind.

Olli Hull, with his artistic flair in upcycled fashion,
has profoundly influenced me. His creativity inspired
me to paint and express my emotions through my
thesis collection, fostering my love and respect
for upcycling vintage clothes. I believe in giving
garments a second life, imbuing them with new
meaning.

Wisdom Kaye’s incredible styling skills are another
source of inspiration. His ability to recreate high-
fashion looks from anime or cartoon characters using
existing wardrobe pieces taught me to innovate with
what I already have.

Lastly, Billie Eilish’s chameleon-like style captivates
me. She effortlessly transitions from oversized, baggy
clothes, to elegant evening gowns and sharp blazers,
proving she can rock any look with ease!