In February 2004, the international fashion show and carnival will kick off the Bangkok fashion city. Several international supermodels are expected to be contracted for the show. In addition, several well-known designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Donatella Versace and Kenzo will be invited to participate in the event.

The event will be jointly sponsored by four shopping centres -- Emporium, Siam Center, Siam Discovery and Siam Paragon.

Supaluck Ampujh, Siam Paragon''s vice-chairwoman, said co-operation among the four shopping venues was part of a joint strategy between the government and the private sector to push Bangkok as an international fashion centre.

Ms. Supaluck said 30 million baht was budgeted for the events, scheduled to take place on Feb 1 under the name of "Bangkok Fashion City Extravaganza".

The fashion carnival will be held on Sukhumvit Road with roads sealed off from Siam Discovery at Pathum Wan intersection to Benjasiri Park. It will include a fashion show in the park consisting of 400 models wearing both local and international fashion brands as well as costumes and ornaments.