Recently, however, top French fashion designer Christian Audigier and his partner, Brazilian fashion model Nathalie Sorensen were in Phuket to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
They also celebrated Ms Sorensen’s birthday on December 20 at Phuket Town’s famed Ka-Jok-See restaurant, and allowed photographer Christian Mouchet to take pictures and hold a short interview.
Christian Mouchet: You are French, born in Avignon in the south of France. Can we say how old you are?
Christian Audigier: Yes, I was born in May 1958, so I am 53 years old.
CM: You are a fashion designer with a fine career in France, and then you took yourself to the US at the beginning of the 2000. Now your fashions are sold in 72 countries under the Ed Hardy label. Legend has it that you arrived in Los Angeles with just US$500 in your pocket. True?
CA: [with a grin] Actually, it was just US$250.
CM: You have built an empire with Ed Hardy and now you’ve just sold it to a large American group Are you retiring?
CA: A semi-retirement – I’m doing some thinking about the future, possibly the development of a proper brand with my own name, Christian Audigier ... next, maybe 100 boutiques in Hong Kong, right next to the strong emerging economy of China.
CM: And to do this thinking you have chosen Phuket. Why?
CA: I’ve been here many times and I always stay in the same place, Twin Palms at Surin Beach. I feel like I’m at home there. They’re my friends, it’s a haven of peace and serenity, far from the craziness of America. I love it there.
On top of that, Phuket is practical – it’s just two hours’ flying time from Hong Kong.
CM: Your partner Nathalie Sorensen is spending Christmas and the New Year here with you...
CA: Yes, but it is also her birthday and we wanted to share it with close friends. We celebrated it on the 20th in Phuket Town at Ka-Jok-See restaurant.
CM: Nathalie, you are a top Brazilian model and you are also an actress in a Brazilian soap opera... Your birthday, Phuket, Asia – have you have a good time here?
NS: It’s been superb. My birthday party was a great success. I know Asia a little. I lived and worked for two years in Japan, Korea and Hong Kong but it’s my first time in Phuket. I adore it. I’d love to settle here.
CM: You mentioned Hong Kong. Is that where you met Christian?
NS: No, I met him in my home country, Brazil, last year during the Rio Carnival.
CM: So, Christian, you appreciate Phuket as much as Nathalie does – any plans to do something in Thailand?
CA: [Big grin]
– Christian Mouchet can be contacted at chrismouchet@gmail.com