Anywhere Markets attended the opening of ZSISKA stunning new flagship shop in Bangkok’s Central World Mall.   The concept and design is simple and striking and creates a beautiful frame for the striking designs from ZSISKA.

 

As the US distributor for the ZSISKA brand for 10 years, we were proud and excited to be part of this new step forward.   The store provides a wonderful presence in an exciting city and works to solidify the world-wide branded image in a sophisticated manner.   Over the past years, designer Siska has progressed from whimsical gift and jewelry to a strong designer brand name.   Every season she introduces a wide variety of new collections and colors to suit both Eastern and Western tastes and fashions.   Each collection has unique designs and techniques without losing her signature look.

 

“Working with Siska has been a fantastic experience,” says Beverley Davimes, CEO Anywhere Markets, Inc. “She never fails to surprise us with creative and wearable designs.   Her brand has come to the forefront of fashion in many countries, and yet she has never changed.   Her positive approach to life, caring for people and animals and her intrinsic desire to help improve lives in her own small way has always been an inspiration, especially in these hard economic times.”

 

During the past 3 years the ZSISKA brand has been through a magical transformation with a strong brand identity.   In building a state of the art factory, increasing staff by almost 1000% with skilled artisans, bringing in a multi-national management team and world class graphic designer; the company has invested in the future.   Investing in its people is very important to the mission of the company.   They provide great working conditions, competitive pay and benefits packages and Siska’s dream to build a school has been amended into a program to provide the children of their workers with all schooling costs paid by the company, including books and uniforms.   Taking care of her staff is one expense that is not and has never been negotiable.   The loyalty and devotion by the staff is apparent in every aspect of the company and their workmanship.

 

Siska is aware of her responsibility to both her customers and her employers, “The opening of the store at the moment is our investment in the future.   It provides a showcase to our customers world-wide and a stronger identity.   When the economy is tough, it means we must work harder and better than others to survive.   We must come up with better products and designs, and look for all possible avenues to strengthen us.   The women and men who work for us have supported me and believe I will take care of them and I cannot let them down”

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Being stranded in an Asian city during a coup sounds pretty desperate and scary, but Thailand truly lived up to its moniker, “Amazing Thailand” during this past few weeks.   Contrary to the international media coverage of the seizure of Thailand’s international airports by protestors demanding the current Thai government be dissolved because of corruption; being in Bangkok during this historic event was like winning a paid vacation and being part of a unique experience.

 

The PAD protestors in a well-planned and executed maneuver peacefully (and unbelievably) overwhelmed the Suvarnabhumi Airport uniformed in their yellow T-shirts, disrupting flights and travel schedules for 2 weeks.   The international media showed angry travelers and the red-shirted government supporters.   In Bangkok, daily life continued in the usual Thai “don’t worry” fashion, and people in the street maintained their friendly demeanor amidst worries of a worsening economy (not so different from here) and the predictions of the dire effects that the bad press and warnings to stay away from Thailand from various governments will have on it’s tourist and export trade.   Incredible as it may seem, the protestors got their way in just over a week as the Courts ruled to dissolve the existing government due to bought votes and prohibited the Prime Minister from being involved in Politics for the next 5 years.   The PAD left the government offices that they were occupying and the airports they were ransoming.   Although, literally thousands of people had camped out in the airport for such an extended period they left the place in immaculate condition, no vandalism, nothing was broken with the exception of a broken window caused by the government supporters outside.   Truly, this would have made Gandhi proud, the protestors were not violent, apologizing to the travelers and on TV for their inconvenience, but gently saying that they needed to do this for their country.

 

In the meantime, we were the fortunate recipients of incredible hospitality in our favorite hotel; receiving 3 wonderful meals a day and a beautiful room at the Hotel Solitaire (http://www.presidentsolitaire.com/z985/photo.html) great pool, constant updates on the situation, free hi-speed internet in our room and a lovely pool to lounge in.

In contrast to the dramatized hype of the press, we had the unique and pleasant experience of being in a vibrant, fast paced city; the hub of Asia, as guests of Thailand.   I understand the frustration of travelers and businesses, who were greatly inconvenienced, but in the crazy world we live in today, things happen continually to wreak havoc with our plans and one finds alternatives.   Within days of the airports being closed, the existing Thai government announced that it would provide stranded travelers an allowance of 2,000 baht per person /day (approximately $57 at the current exchange rate), which would be paid to the hotel.   Our intrepid hotel manager immediately signed up for the re-imbursement and told us he had automatically extended our reservation for an extra week and allowed us to keep the same room. He told us not to worry about anything.   The hotel had no guarantee that they would actually receive the compensation, since the government offering it was in the process of being kicked out and a new government wouldn’t necessarily honor it, the hospitality and level of service provided was extra-ordinary.   The hotel made copies of our original travel documents and when we checked out we signed that we agreed with the charges being submitted to a 3^rd party.

 

The US Embassy was pretty useless, but friendly.   American Airlines was most disappointing in their customer service, not updating us on cancelled flights although they had our cell number, e-mail, hotel info; their staff in Bangkok couldn’t speak English (???), and they were closed on the weekends (not even staying open in a crisis).   Japan Airlines, affiliated with AA, were an improvement, having English speaking staff available through the weekend.   Even so, we still had to keep making international calls to AA in the States up reschedule our flights  … think different time zones and blessings to SKYPE, otherwise it would have cost us a fortune.

 

All I can say is "Thailand is Amazing".   Imagine any other country with a corrupt and selfish government (and we know of a few of those) being peacefully evicted by the will of a non-violent protest of the people.   Imagine that country providing accommodating approximately for 350,000 stranded travelers - can you?  I know that I can’t.  Thailand and Thai people have an amazing history and culture, and interesting present and hopefully will move into a better future.

 

 

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Dutch jewelry designer, Siska has once again delighted us with her new resin fashion jewelry collections under the ZSiska brand. Four new collections debuting this fall are the << MORE >>

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Lovely Polish born actress, Izabella Miko accessorizes with dramatic simplicity at the Night of 100 Stars. Wearing glass drop earrings by Italian designer Katia Lumachiand a simple white dress with a splash of color on the red carpet, she looks flawless.<< MORE >>

Actress/Model Bai Ling definitely showed a deplorable lack of judgement being caught shoplifting celeb mags and sundries at an LAX gift store. However, out on the town at pre-grammy events, her fashion sense was right on target, when photographed wearing Italian jewelry designer, Katia Lumachi'sKatia Lumachi'sdramatic red and black glass spiral pendant and drop earrings to accessorize an elegant black and white lace dress. << MORE >>

Wide cuff's and skinny bangles, in fact arm candy of any size continues to be BIG. This year is no exception ..... ALL materials are IN; resin, lucite, glass, leather, precious metals, glass .... just stack 'em up. Jewel encrusted, hand painted, etched or just plain; there's an expression for everyone's personality at Anywhere Markets. These designers create a treasure trove of trendy fashion jewelry. Dutch designer, ZSiska's hand painted Hanami bangles with pure silver and 24kt gold inlay are timeless works of art to be treasured and enjoyed forever. Glass bubbles made from Italian blown glass by Katia Lumachi appear to float like the bubbles on the Mediterranean Sea iNkwenkwezi bracelets made from wire and bead covered safety pins continue to create delight. Mi Wi A ostrich eggshell bracelets created by the San people of Namibia using their ancient methods is perfect alone or mixed with silver or gold bangles. Theme bracelets including dogs, mermaids and pub signs are whimsical accessories to any casual outfit.<< MORE >>