Onsirin Buranupakorn, founder and creative director of the luxury ready-to-wear brand ONSIRIN, has taken the New York fashion scene by storm with her unique mix of traditional feminine silhouettes, edgy elements of fetish wear, and rock and roll spirit. Born and raised in Thailand, Buranupakorn’s journey to becoming a pioneer in sustainable luxury fashion exhibits her talent, determination, and innovative spirit.
After collaborating with the iconic Anna Sui brand and after his work commitment at the luxury evening wear brand Sem Sem, Buranupakorn quickly made a name for herself with her brand, ONSIRIN. Her philosophy centers around sustainable fashion and ethical production practices. This sets her apart in an industry often criticized for its environmental impact.
Buranupakorn’s experiences in New York have been transformative, both personally and professionally. She went from showcasing her ‘Great Feminine Appropriation’ collection at New York Fashion Week to being featured in L’Officiel Thailand’s 12th anniversary issue. Buranupakorn has embraced every opportunity the city has offered.
Drawing from her own experiences, Buranupakorn offers five essential tips for young fashion designers arriving in New York:
The first tip Buranupakorn shares is to immerse yourself in the fashion scene. “New York’s fashion scene is like a living, breathing entity,” Buranupakorn says. “To truly understand it, you need to be part of it.” She advises newcomers to explore the city’s fashion districts and prestigious design schools.
The Garment District, SoHo, Chelsea, and Brooklyn are all key areas to explore, each offering a unique perspective on the city’s fashion landscape. Buranupakorn also emphasizes the importance of attending New York Fashion Week, explaining that it’s not just about the runway shows but also the street style, networking events, and after-parties that make up integral parts of the experience.
For international designers, Buranupakorn suggests keeping an eye on prestigious New York-based brands such as Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Oscar de la Renta, Proenza Schouler, and Anna Sui.
The second tip is to build a network of friends and connections. “In New York, your network is your net worth,” Buranupakorn affirms. She stresses the importance of building genuine relationships within the industry, cautioning, “Never underestimate anyone. The intern you meet today could be leading a major brand tomorrow.”
Buranupakorn suggests attending industry events and fashion meetups and joining professional organizations. “New York is a catalyst for talent,” she explains. “The fashion community here is tightly knit. Everyone knows everyone, and word travels fast.” This interconnectedness, Buranupakorn notes, can be both a blessing and a challenge. “Your reputation is everything,” she says. “Always be professional, kind, and authentic in your interactions.”
Buranupakorn’s third tip is to educate yourself continuously. “Fashion is an ever-evolving art form,” Buranupakorn asserts. “To stay relevant, you must be a lifelong learner.” She advises young designers to study fashion history, current trends, and the work of established stylists. Buranupakorn suggests taking advantage of New York’s educational resources, including institutions like Parsons School of Design, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Pratt Institute, and LIM College.
However, she adds that education should be wider than formal settings. “Every person in the industry has something to teach you. From the pattern cutter to the embroiderer, listen and learn from their expertise.” She encourages attending talks, workshops, and exhibitions, noting that New York constantly hosts fashion luminaries, providing opportunities to hear them speak and share their insights.
The fourth piece of advice from Buranupakorn is to find inspiration in the city’s diversity. “New York City is a living mood board,” Buranupakorn enthuses. “The streets are filled with thousands of ideas and potential trends waiting to be discovered.” She encourages young designers to observe and draw inspiration from the city’s diverse population. “From the subway to the cafe, from teenagers to the elderly, you’ll see creativity in how people express themselves through fashion,” Buranupakorn notes. This diversity, she believes, is what keeps New York at the forefront of fashion.
“The city shows us where fashion is going,” she explains. “It’s a melting pot of cultures, styles, and individual expressions. As designers, our job is to distill these influences into cohesive collections.” Buranupakorn’s own work, such as her “Bangkok After Dark” editorial, showcases how she draws inspiration from her Thai roots and the duality of tradition and modernity in contemporary Thailand.
The fifth and final tip Buranupakorn offers is to be patient and persistent. “Success in New York’s fashion industry doesn’t happen overnight,” Buranupakorn cautions. “It requires hard work, patience, and an unwavering commitment to your craft.” She speaks from experience, recalling her own journey from International Designer to Celebrity Designer.
“There were times when I questioned if I was on the right path,” Buranupakorn admits. “But I kept pushing, kept creating, kept learning.” Buranupakorn believes that persistence is vital to success in New York. “If a person is truly intent on working in fashion, it will happen,” she says confidently. “They will create the right circumstances to
make their mark. It’s in the DNA of this wonderful city – if you work hard and stay true to your vision, opportunities will come.” She encourages young designers to view setbacks as learning experiences, suggesting, “Use rejection as motivation to refine your skills and your vision.”
Her tips for young fashion designers arriving in New York provide us the essence of success in this wonderful industry. By immersing oneself in the fashion scene, building a strong network, continuously learning, finding inspiration in the city’s diversity, and maintaining patience and persistence, aspiring designers can navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that the remarkable New York’s fashion world offers.
Indeed, the dream of making it in New York’s fashion industry can become a reality. As she puts it, “Don’t be afraid to start small and grow organically,” she says. “It’s okay to start where you are with what you have.”
