 ophthalmologist turned handbag manufacturer fulfills mother’s dream
Wannasu Thailand (short for Wannasuvarnamani) was established in 2015 by two brothers, including one ophthalmologist whose ambition was to fulfill his mother’s dream of owning a handbag brand as luxurious as Gucci and Hermes.
“Let’s fulfill our mother’s dream,” said one day to his sibling Dr Chernet Suvarnamani, President and CEO of Wannasu Thailand whose mother, a former surgery nurse, is totally crazy about handbags. And so was created Wannasu, named after the mother’s name. 
Doctors like to dissect. So, Dr Suvarnamani dissected one of his mother’s Gucci handbags in order to understand how to manufacture a similarly high quality product.
Three years later, 20 highly skilled workers in Bangkok use the most precious materials to make the company’s different lines of products.
“In order to match my mother’s name and tastes, we could only go luxury and exotic,” explains Dr Suvarnamani. Raw material is sourced from diverse countries: Stingray, python and lizard from Thailand and Spain, Ostrich from South Africa and Iran, cow hide from France and Togo, crocodile from Thailand and Australia. 
The various designs are a mix of classic and fun, inspired by astrology, tradition and symbolism. The owl that appears on many of the handbags represents wisdom, according to Dr Suvarnamani. “This bird works hard and never sleeps. In Japan and China it is considered as an animal bringing good luck,” explains Dr Suvarnamani. Born in August, his zodiacal sign is Leo which is why the lion is also one of the design’s favorite. The flap of most handbags is designed like the door of a palace, symbolizing protection while the hexagonal shape of several products represents a crown. 
At the moment, Wannasu owns three shops in Thailand including one flagship store in Siam Paragon department store in Bangkok which is the sixth largest mall in Thailand. Plans are to export to Dubai and to be present in multi-branded stores in China.
“This is why we chose to exhibit at APLF, where we also launched our new line called “Love at first sight,” says Dr Suvarnamani. “We want to make Wannasu known outside Thailand and want to meet buyers and new suppliers,” he concluded. (APLF, Hong Kong
(12/11/2018) |
