On a rare, rain-free May-evening in Bangkok, SWECHAM, with a little help from SWEA, hosted a truly delightful gathering on Rambuttri Chakraphong Road, at the cozy boutique THE THREE by TPV.
I must admit, I had no prior idea what TPV was, nor was I familiar with Rambuttri Road – but I was pleasantly surprised!
I took the MRT and hopped on a motorcycle taxi for the final stretch, which turned into a little sightseeing adventure since the driver had trouble finding the right street. I hadn’t been to this part of Bangkok since 1980s, so it was a joy to rediscover its vibrant atmosphere and bustling street life. Not far from Rambuttri is the more famous Khao San Road, known among backpackers, but Rambuttri offers its own charming, laid-back vibe.
At the small TPV shop, we were welcomed with cold drinks and tempting finger foods. The entire SWEA board seemed to be present, mingling with SWECHAM members.
We gathered around a TV screen as SWECHAM’s Anna Olsson Moore and Khun Napat, the wife of Peter – one of the founders behind TPV – greeted us.
Khun Napat then handed over to Peter, who gave a brief, but engaging introduction to the company.
The TPV Story
The name PTV stands for the designer trio: Thomas Elbaum, Patrick Österman, and Vadim Stefanoff. Many Swedes may remember Vincent Shoes Store, a well-known shoe brand from Östermalm, Stockholm. Fun fact: I personally bought several pairs of shoes there for my daughter when she was little!
The story goes like this: Peter had his first child, Vincent, in 1998, and his twin brothers Thomas and Patrick couldn’t find baby shoes they liked. That’s how the idea for Vincent Shoes Store was born, growing into a massive success with stores across 13 countries, including the latest in Dubai and the U.S. (via Amazon). Celebrities like Britney Spears were among their customers.
In 2011, Vincent Shoes was sold to Industrifonden.se and Patrick Tillman (Odd Molly – another famous Swedish brand) and Peter moved to Tenerife, while Thomas, Patrick and Vadim moved to Sri Lanka, and continued developing their design careers, eventually leading to the birth of TPV.
Today, most of their collections are produced in Sri Lanka, with materials sourced primarily from there and India. The focus is on creating versatile, breathable garments – often in pure cotton or linen – designed to suit women of all ages, especially in Thailand’s hot, humid climate.
A Heart for Animals & Community
Peter and Napat are now based in Phuket, where most of the TPV stores are located. Thomas, Patrick and Vadim are nowadays living in Sri Lanka, where the start of TPV began, with their beloved 16 rescue street dogs!
A portion of TVP’s profits goes toward supporting local animal shelters in both Sri Lanka and Thailand, something that khun Napat emphasized as deeply important to them.
More Than Fashion
Beyond fashion, Peter has also dabbled in the restaurant scene. After moving to the Canary Islands, he launched a restaurant in 2011, which grew into an impressive chain of 11 Restaurant Martini. In 2023, fate brought Peter and Napat together, they met in Tenerife, fell in love, and Peter’s long-held dream of living in Thailand became reality.
Napat, originally from Korat, grew up on a farm but dreamed of something different. She studied English and eventually worked in marketing for Anantara Vacation Club Phuket before moving to Spain, where, despite language barriers, she boldly opened a small Thai eatery called Yim Siam (Smile of Thailand). Her 20-seat venture quickly became a thriving 90-seat restaurant, introducing authentic Thai cuisine to Spaniards for seven years – until love called her back to Asia.
Final Words
I continue to be fascinated by the number of talented, creative people out there. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in making this event such a success-and wish TPV the very best of luck as they continue to grow!
