Banteay Srey Boutique is a concept of two women who literally adore handmade, quality, unique and artisan designs – Carol and Kim. We’ll let you in on a secret though, we know nothing about the technicalities of design and the process! We know what we like, and we know what we think is pretty. That’s where the rest of our team step in. Banteay Srey is a collective, a collaboration, we cannot exist with each other. So lets get to know who are the crafty, creative and extremely talented people behind your tailor made, beautiful and classy design.
Meet Oun…
Oun, or as we call her Bong(which means equal friend/brother/sister) Oun is the face of of our clothing production in Siem Reap. This lady has an eye for style! When we first met Oun she came across as quite serious, but after awhile we realised she was just like an egg ( also like me and Kim) hard on the outside but gooey on the inside! She can switch from total seriousness to laughing her head off in 1 second flat. Oun is a justified and tough negotiator when it comes to how much it costs for her work , and we respect her so much for it! The quality she produces, and at the speed she does it, you just have to see it to believe it! She is really not in it for the money though, and says “I love my craft. It gives me the greatest feeling when I see someone wearing one of my designs and what I produced”. She prays every day that our collaboration will be a success and has gone out of her way to help the project through her knowledge of government customs and requirements!
Meet Oum…
Not much is known about Oum, except that you listen to what she says! Oum has over 25 years experience in tailoring, especially for the Western Market (don’t forget Cambodia was once a French Colony). We all present our designs to Oum, and if she says no…it’s a no! She knows exactly what designs fit what shape, and what height etc… She is the measuring and mapping out of the fabric lady. She draws very basic sketches in a notebook by hand, because her knowledge is all in her head. She measures with a measuring tape, but sketches on the fabric with flint. She knows everything you cannot learn from a design book or fashion mag, she is our go-to person, our guru…but without reason or explanation! Oum is Om.
Meet Chorvy…
Chorvy or ‘V’ as she likes to be known is the reason Banteay Srey Boutique exists! Chorvy was a student of Carol when she was volunteering as an English Teacher is Siem Reap. Every day, Chorvy came to class looking exquisite – wearing tailor made, feminine, and classy dresses. Carol was intrigued and asked where are your clothes coming from??? The answer was her sister (Oun). Other than that Chorvy has become the official BSB stylist, she knows how every dress should sit or lay on a person, down to the how the hem should be ironed and what accessories match each design! To add to her talents, an avid artist, she is venturing out into the art of fashion design herself, and one of her designs will feature in our launch collection.
These talented ladies bring you the clothes you will love to wear! Thanks for supporting their and the Banteay Srey Boutique dream of bringing the craft of quality design and tailoring back to the grass roots.
Lots of love,
Carol and Kim xxx
Banteay Srey Boutique 