Purisa “Minnie” Hengtrakulsin

Purisa “Minnie” Hengtrakulsin

CEO AND DESIGNER, PURISA GLITZY

Industry : Lifestyle

This young designer is currently an IGCSE student at Denla British School. Inspired by Coco Chanel’s biography, which she found at a book fair, Minnie launched her own fashion brand, Purisa Glitzy, eight years ago when she was only 7 years old, using investments from her own savings received during Chinese New Year. Since then, she has created over 13 collections and was even invited to deliver a TED Talk in 2020. Recognized as Thailand’s youngest fashion designer and the world’s youngest owner of a clothing brand, her creations are showcased at fashion shows and pop-up stores in high-end shopping centres. Being a true Gen Z, she utilises social media platforms to promote her brand and engage with customers. The Covid-19 pandemic posed challenges for her business, but it turned out to be a lesson in crisis management that she successfully navigated. Beyond her expertise in fashion design, her angelic voice captivated judges and audiences alike in The Golden Singer 2023 competition. She aspires to inspire younger generations to follow their hearts and pursue what they love doing.

Purisa “Minnie” Hengtrakulsin

Friday Future Lister: Culture, Creativity, Commerce: 16-year old Minnie's Start in Entrepreneurship

Thailand’s young fashion designer, Minnie Hengtrakulsin, navigates the dance between creativity and commerce with her brand, Purisa Glitzy.

Meet Thailand’s teenage fashion designer in our first weekly column featuring the nominees of the 2024 Future List 100 by Koktail

Photo: Courtesy of Purisa Glitzy FB

The Rise of Purisa Glitzy

Still an IGCSE student at Denla British School, Purisa “Minnie” Hengtrakulsin has already made a mark in the fashion scene. Her venture into entrepreneurship was sparked by Coco Chanel’s biography and funded by using her Chinese New Year savings.

At 7 years old, Minnie expressed a desire to establish her own brand, and she continues to reaffirm this decision when discussing aspirations with her parents. Consequently, the family brainstormed a brand name and designed a logo, leading to the birth of the Purisa Glitzy brand in 2015.

Her debut collection, “Purisa Glitzy,” launched in 2016. However, it was her second collection, “PLOY,” inspired by the Thai musical drama “Four Reigns,” that started to get her noticed. Drawing inspiration from historical Thai fashion mixed with Victorian elements, Minnie’s crafted designs captured international attention, laying the foundation for her future collections. She finds inspiration in everything around her; for example, her collection ‘Girlish’ tells the story of a little girl growing into a young lady, inspired by her pencil case with beads and glitter underneath transparent plastic. Additionally, her collection ‘Glitzy Pop’ draws inspiration from her exposure to Pop art during some time spent in the UK.

Minnie’s ability to draw from diverse sources and infuse them into her designs demonstrates her artistic depth and creativity.

From Inspiration to International Recognition

Despite her young age, Minnie has since created over 13 collections and gained global recognition as Thailand’s youngest fashion designer and possibly the world’s youngest owner of a successful clothing brand. She firmly believes that if we want to do something, we can start now no matter how old we are. Her accomplishments showcase the possibilities when talent meets determination.

Photo: Courtesy of thebigchilli

Finding the Right Mix in Imagination and Business

While Minnie’s creations are bespoke and reflect her artistic vision, she understands the importance of financial management. Entrusting the financial aspects of her business to her parents, who own a wholesale clothing shop in Bangkok, Minnie focuses on honing her design skills and expanding her brand’s reach.

Photo: Courtesy of Purisa Glitzy FB

Inspiring the Next Generation

Minnie remains committed to inspiring younger generations to pursue their passions fearlessly. With her voice earning accolades in The Golden Singer 2023 competition and her entrepreneurial spirit driving Purisa Glitzy’s success, Minnie is on track to become one of Thailand’s most beloved clothing icons. It’s all about the power of determination, creativity, and passion in achieving one’s dreams.

Minnie’s story resonates deeply in a world where traditional barriers to entry often discourage young entrepreneurs. Through her journey, she exemplifies the essence of perseverance, reminding us that age is not a limitation but rather an opportunity to defy expectations and carve a unique path.

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