Through Precious Plastic, environmentalist Dominic Puwasawat Chakrabongse hopes to foster a nation-wide circular economy
After earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy from the London School of Economics, Dominic Puwasawat Chakrabongse pursued his passion for environment conservation with several NGOs around the globe. On returning to Thailand he was shocked by Bangkok’s overwhelming abundance of trash and decided take action. “I wanted to do something that was community driven and emphasised the circular economy,” he says. “That’s how Precious Plastic Thailand came about. It was born out of this effort to inspire and empower ordinary people across the country to change their perception of plastic and understand that it can be turned into something new and valuable.”
Wearing her own design, Thipvipa hopes to become a top choice for royalty across the globe
Hence a normal day in the life of the young designer entails hours spent mulling over the creation of one-of-a-kind pieces. “L’Astelle is rooted in embroidery,” she explains. “Each piece takes months of preparation. Like any art, it requires time and patience.” Her love of European architecture, particularly gothic churches, opera houses and castles such as the Augustenberg Palace in Germany and Opéra Garnier in Paris, often inspires her work. “I try to emulate the same sophisticated beauty and level of craftsmanship that went into building those magnificent edifices,” she says.
Given that this is a family business, it’s no surprise that deep down Harald has always hoped his children would one day take over and carry on the legacy. At first only his daughter Caroline, the eldest of his two children, joined the firm. It wasn’t until around three years ago that 37-year-old son Felix finally decided to work in the company. For a long time this move was not a certainty. “I did a few internships with B.Grimm,” says the young man. “But since my early 20s, I have been passionate about meditation and spirituality.” So much so that he spent years traversing the globe, including years in Buddhist monasteries in Nepal and attending Christian spiritual centres in Brazil and retreats in the United States. “Meditating is still my favourite thing to do in life,” he adds. “There is just something so powerful and compelling to me about the inner universe it is much richer and more rewarding than the outside world.”