Bangkok is a city brimming with talented personalities and charming characters who have pushed their way through to really make their mark. There’s no doubt that they’re truly living their best life, and doing it in great style. In our Good Life Gurus series, we explore and ask the city’s millennial tastemakers and cultural arbiters to reveal what the good life means to them, and give us a little insight into how they live it.
Amongst our wishlist of dream jobs, “luxury pyjama designer” ranks pretty high.
Such is not the dream but the beautiful reality for Japanese-Dutch Mika Wassenaar, who grew up in Montreal before moving to Bangkok, Shanghai, London, and finally Phuket to set up her business.
Inspired by these travels and more, the wife of renowned artist Goldie is the mastermind behind Siamese Dreams, a local brand that spotlights local craftsmanship and a spirit of social responsibility.
It is with conscious curiosity, everyday luxury, and a ritual of selfcare in mind that the pyjama brand came into being a few years ago. Using only 100% cotton, Mika has worked exclusively with female artists to create the hand-painted designs the brand is so loved for. Made proudly in Thailand with socially responsible suppliers, a percentage of profits are also donated to charities to support education systems in the local community. She’s made a bit a name for herself in insider loungewear circles, with various local influencers, trendsetters, and even Thai supermodels sporting her brand.
Here, we chat to Mika a little about the philosophy behind her business, her own definition of self-care and relaxation, and her favourite good life spots across her home island of Phuket. We conducted this interview all while wearing pyjamas, because of course.
Having grown up in Montréal, and having a multi-cultural upbringing with a Japanese mother and Dutch father, I’m a proud global citizen. I have been fortunate enough to have travelled around the world and lived in such great cities as London, Shanghai, and Bangkok. I have worked in the fashion and textile industry for nearly two decades, from design to buying. I’m currently based in Phuket, where I live with my husband, daughter and cats.
After moving to Phuket in 2014, and having worked for various brands over the years, I longed to create something of my very own. After failing to find consciously made pyjamas and loungewear, in beautiful and fun prints, made entirely in Thailand, I knew I should make my own. It’s my homage to Thailand, for all her beauty and charm and for welcoming me to make my home here.
Our customers are intelligent, kind, and playful. They expect beautifully designed, well-made products that are ethically made, using natural fabrics, with a minimal impact on the environment. They are savvy and well-travelled and most importantly, don’t take themselves too seriously.
I believe that beautiful and comfortable loungewear is one of the foundations for a happy self-care routine. What we wear at home, when we rest, is equally as important as what we wear in the outside world.
Being content with my life choices, nurturing healthy relationships, being grateful for everything.
- Plenty of rest and sleep
- Delicious and nourishing foods
- Plenty of laughter
- Radical self love
- Daily gratitude lists
Scented candles (I love Diptyque and KARMAKAMET), long showers or baths, chill playlists or guided meditations, putting on my Siamese Dreams pyjamas, and reading a great book.
For work, I source only natural fabrics and try to minimise packaging waste. At home, aside from the standard reusable bags and containers, we recently installed Solar Power (Phuket Solar Co.)
I really enjoy Kundalini Yoga, hiking up the Kamala Hills, and walking on the beach.
Traditional Turkish Breakfast at Istanbul Café, Kata.
Siam Supper Club, for live jazz music on a Monday night.
Sunset Cocktails PINE Beach Bar at the InterContinental Kamala Beach.
Wings Boutique, Boat Avenue, Cherngtalay.
Bangkok!
Surrender to the rhythm of the island. True Luxury is laid back, barefoot, and casual.
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Written by
Lisa Gries
Creative Content Director, Bangkok
Lisa is the Creative Content Director for Lifestyle Asia and Prestige Thailand. She leads a data-driven content strategy for both titles, finding the balance between scathing SEO metrics and sucks-you-right-in story-telling. Lisa writes mostly on dining, travel, and pop-culture, and is a sucker for a good savoury cocktail. Passionate about Bangkok’s ever-growing bar scene, she also sits on the committee for various bar and spirit awards in the region.
