Thai label Wonder Anatomie wants to appeal to the international consumer

Despite many designers' claims to originality, few ever push boundaries. But one Asian name is starting to become synonymous with forward-thinking fashion innovation in the region.

Wonder Anatomie was started by Thai designer Khatikasemlert Chalermkiat, better known as "Pop" among fashion circles. He came into fashion by a less formal route, initially spending his days working in interior design while hawking his fashion creations on Bangkok's side streets at night.

His fans egged him on to make the leap, and soon Pop had enrolled in the city's fashion school, before eventually receiving a scholarship to study in Paris. It was there that he interned at Maison Martin Margiela and started carving out a distinctive career.

"At Margiela, they let me use second-hand clothes to recreate their new designs. It helped me think outside the box," he says, on his latest visit to Hong Kong, at the Shine boutique, where he is stocked.

"Most designers think in 2D, but I try to think in 3D. I use everything from plastic to acrylic - everything from my interior design days."

This precocious use of materials is slowly making a name for Wonder Anatomie. Exaggerated silhouettes, boxy exteriors contrasting with sleek, body hugging interiors - and of course, the skeletal cut-out shapes - have come to define each collection.