Nicklas von Bueren

Nicklas von Bueren contemplates on his affection for Thailand and his passion for preserving its traditions and talents through his family-owned business Lotus Arts De Vivre, writes Lily Ong.

Nicklas von Bueren is an introspective man. Listening to the musical quality in his accented voice that conveys his Thai roots, I cannot help but to feel impressed by the intellect and eloquence that he possesses.

As we converse, it soon becomes evident that von Bueren harbours strong feelings for the country he calls home. He recounts an instance in his youth when he signed up to join an NGO named PDA which stands for Population and Community Development Association founded by Thai businessman Mechai Viravaidya. “My father thought it would be a good idea for me to go outside of Bangkok to work and see for myself what is going on in Thailand,” he explains.

He then went on to study in Switzerland. Upon his return, he joined a Thai bank and later a security firm. Von Bueren revealed that he chose these career options because he was driven by his desire to understand his home country better through the lens of a financier. He eventually made the decision to join his family-owned business, Lotus Arts De Vivre in 1998.

Together with his parents Rolf and Helen von Bueren and his brother Sri, he now takes pride in nurturing the company step by step along the way. Founded as a hobby by von Bueren’s mother, Lotus Arts De Vivre produces exquisite jewellery as well as handbags, furniture, household items, and art pieces.

“There are a few Thai brands in the luxury business. It’s funny, really. Most local shoppers look to the West to find something that they can find here in their backyard—craftsmanship and expertise,” says von Bueren ruefully.

“In that sense, I suppose it takes a foreign eye to appreciate the beauty of what we have in our own backyard. We have great encouragement from our friends and customers abroad to keep promoting and preserving Asian arts and crafts.


(Photo: The von Bueren family)

As longtime art appreciators, my family and I see our work as presenting tradition and beauty in a contemporary form through our eyes. Our philosophy is to create unique products made from longstanding craftsmanship reformed into modern designs.”

Step into any of Lotus Arts de Vivre’s niche boutiques in Bangkok, Singapore or Indonesia and you will feel as if you were transported into a cabinet of curiosity. Asian motifs such as serpents, elephants and jungle birds are apparent in the products’ design. What is impressive though is the great lengths the von Buerens go to in sourcing the perfect material for their products coupled with craftsmanship expertise. From wood carvers in Java to lacquer talents from Japan or China, expect to find an estimate of five to six materials in one jewellery piece.


(L-R: Nicklas von Bueren, Rekha von Bueren, Meera Sen and John Chua)

Together with his Malaysian wife Rekha von Bueren is a father to three young children. He admits that finding a good work-life balance is important to him at the moment.

“When you are in a family business, you don’t realise that you are constantly working. You are always engaged and it can get difficult to switch off sometimes. Yet this is enjoyable to me. My work is my lifestyle; I love art and I also love my family. With these two aspects, I am always learning and growing. I am lucky to be in a business that part of my free time can be part of my work as well,” he concludes. 

 

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