Everything is Handmade

They’re the next oft-plagiarised symbol of status in Thailand. DANIEL GOH visited Hob Shop at the most populated Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok.

Stamped with fashionable graffiti, it’s perhaps worth noting that popularity has risen tremendously for Hob Shop. Their new generation of handbags and clutches are marked by a feeling of classic and timeless style. In keeping up with times, Hob Shop produces bags of all kinds – they are modest in size, discreetly logoed (if at all) and boast functionality in the shape of funky, splashed coloured designs, and durability in genuine leather. Count in also their rectangular envelope style clutches in different shapes and sizes with sleek buckle fastening; they come with sliding straps which are easily adjustable in length, and would go with just about everything.  Such versatility spurs modern shoppers to immediately like their design.

It was Mr Navapon Chottanasincharoen, also known as Hob, who was the brainchild behind these totes. Hob started out only having a tiny stall at the Suan Lum Night Bazzar selling accessories like bracelets and belts. But, slowly but surely, his business improved and he used his profit savings to start his first physical storefront at Siam Square, a popular tourists-flocked shopping mall in the heart of central Bangkok. Later, Hob also started out his third storefront at Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Born the son of a leather-selling merchant, Hob started to experiment with some leathers at home to make some bracelets for himself. “Incidentally my friends like what I had designed and I thought I can make a living out of it.” Four years on, Hob is still continually fulfilling his inspiration into reality. Now Hob even branched out Hob Shop to Hong Kong and Germany.

Hobshop was founded in 2008. Alongside his sister, Gib, they made leather goods, mainly clutches, but gradually moved into the fashion accessories market too. Although absent from a design background, Hob is determined to churn out design that is simple yet different.  “I have focused on the quality of the material and the craft, rather than gratuitous hardware. And everything is handmade at the Hob Shop,” the entrepreneur and designer quips sanguinely.

At the Chatuchak Weekend Market, you will easily find people of all sorts. But at the Hob Shop, you will find customers who are pursuing understated luxury with real longevity. Simply match any of their bags against a boyfriend jacket or a filmy, chiffon dress.  The capacity is just adequate for a novel, a DSLR, a lipstick, a notebook and keys – things that modern men and women want on assignment.

Given the high impact aesthetic of today’s best-selling bags, Hob stays positive and unthreatened by luxurious brands such as Chanel and Prada. “They’re iconic pieces,” says Hob. “But perhaps the most striking thing about our design is that it has an edgy feel attached to it. And the longevity that is attached to the stigma of genuine leathers.”

Hob certainly has a knack for delivering what shoppers want. “Hob Shop has found itself a good position as  “affordable, simple and unique’. All my bags and accessories have premium qualities, but they’re more within reach,” the entrepreneur says.

But Hob says his success isn’t just about luck. “There are several futuristic designs that underpin our success,” says the 30-year-old bachelor. Now the brand’s popularity abroad is spurred on by the vogue for all things Thai and unique; the effect of this – a significant rise in profits last year. “We are proud to launch Hob Shop’s products in Hong Kong. And the results are fantastic. We’ve gained a fair share of media coverage and exposure.”

Like other successors, Hob faces the problem of plagiarism on his designs.  “I’ve to contend with some entrepreneurs who simply steal our designs and they even go to the extend of sourcing raw leathers from our factory. Hob also admits that counterfeit works are rampant in Thailand but it’s the integrity and creativity that eventually win consumers’ hearts.

“We’re happy for what we’re today. We’re not proud. We’re still as humble as who we’re four years ago.”

Hob Shop, he said, was just getting started.

“There are a lot of goodwill and faith for Hob Shop brand among shoppers in Thailand – they connect more and I don’t only refer to Thai shoppers alone because Thailand encompasses consumers of all kinds,” says Hob. “Some bags can look so anonymous, but there’s a friendliness to our brand. And we’ve done it very, very well.”

Hob Shop is located at:
Thailand

Shop 1 : jatujak weekend market

section 16 soi 23 / 3 room 385-6

Shop2 : jatujak weekend market

section 23 soi 30 /3 room281

Shop 3 : Terminal21 , Asoke junction , Sukhumvit road , 3 floor , room3135

Hong Kong

Gi mall . Granville road . Tsim sha tsui  , ground floor

Germany

CHAoS iN fORm, Falckensteinstrasse 46, 10997 Berlin – Kreuzberg

Canada

Be-Unik, www.b-unik.com

USA

Samoestyle.com

For more info, visit www.hobonlineshop.com.