PUBLISHED: 13 Mar 2025 at 04: 49
Breaking through the competitive fashion business is not easy, but GENTLEWOMAN, a Thai style manufacturer, has emerged as a favorite among Thai and international clothing lovers.
Raya Wannapinyo, co-founder of GENTLEWOMAN
Behind this victory is Raya Wannapinyo, the company’s co-founder, who is among the People of the Year 2025.
Ms Raya’s innovative journey began with a specific issue.
As a little lady, she struggled to find well-fitting workwear.
In 2018, she and her company lovers launched GENTLEWOMAN, a fashion model designed for working professionals.
The Covid-19 crisis posed major problems for the business, forcing the shutdown of all its physical stores just one and a half decades after the company’s start.
Thankfully, it had an established website selling network.
Ms Raya’s ability to adapt rapidly was important. She shifted the group’s focus to creating everyday, home-friendly styles suited to the work-from-home period.
This approach not only helped the company navigate the challenging period but also increased customer acknowledgement of its logo-driven items.
Mr Raya combines imagination with data-driven decision-making.
She believes the success of the product is not just about style but also about blending customer perspectives with craft to ensure the company offers products that appeal to consumers.
The company’s marketing strategy is centred around its items.
By launching new collections every year, the company remains efficient and responsive to consumer feedback.
This approach has reduced rely on traditional advertising as happy customers naturally promote the brand.
The GENTLEWOMAN Team selection and its strong brand have become well-known among local and international customers.
Mr Raya firmly believes that cooperation and corporate lifestyle are important for the company’s success. She places great significance on hiring individuals who share the agency’s principles and fostering open communication to coincide with the company’s social goals.
This collaborative environment empowers the team to drive the company forward.
GENTLEWOMAN’s financial performance speaks for itself. In 2021, the brand achieved revenue of 168 million baht and profits of 32 million baht. The following year, revenues rose to 594 million baht, with profits reaching 184 million baht.
The brand continued its impressive growth in 2023, generating 1.5 billion baht in revenue and profits of 525 million baht.
The brand has 26 showrooms, including in prominent locations like Central Ladprao, CentralWorld and its flagship store at Siam Square, along with outlets in provincial cities such as Phuket, Pattaya in Chonburi, Hat Yai in Songkhla, and Chiang Mai.
GENTLEWOMAN offers a diverse range of products, from tops and shorts to swimsuits and accessories, all maintaining an essence of femininity.
Ms Raya has demonstrated resilience, adaptability and vision. Her ability to balance creativity with strategy, build a strong team, and prioritise customer needs has made GENTLEWOMAN a standout brand.
Raya WannapinyoCo-founder of Gentlewoman, an accessible-fashion brand