Men With Style: Prates Songtieng, Illustrator
Also known as Monsieur Poppi, the 42-year-old Thai illustrator’s style is as charming as his art.
By Gracia Phang - published
“I moved to New York in 2010 with one suitcase and a big dream. Now, I live that dream, illustrating for fashion houses and magazines,” says Prates Songtieng (also known as @monsieurpoppi) of his artistic journey.
Not only does the work of the Bangkok-born-and-raised illustrator draw you in with an undeniable charm and liveliness, his personal style is also as refreshing as it is alluring. While he does not have any style icons, he finds inspiration in the people he sees on the street—the curiosity and stories he imagines about them are what shapes how he dresses. His dream dinner companions? Salvador Dali and Alexander McQueen.
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What is your relationship like with art and illustration? Can you tell us about the journey to becoming a full-fledged artist?
“My relationship with art started with my mother, who was an art teacher. She never gave me video games. Instead, she handed me pencils, colors, and paper. For me, art wasn’t a hobby—it was simply a way to play.
Years later, after I moved to New York and Instagram had just begun, I would draw and tag brands in my posts for fun. One day, a brand actually reached out to me. That single moment shifted everything. Suddenly, art wasn’t just a passion; it became a livelihood.”
What is your favourite medium to use, and why?
“Lately, I’ve been painting on fabric. It transforms illustration into something wearable, tactile, and alive—each piece becomes a one-of-a-kind story you can walk around in.”
What is the first thing you’d do if you were in a creative rut?
“If I were in a creative rut, the first thing I would do is engage in a different type of creative activity. For example, I would style my friends or a model and take fashion photographs of them. Why? Because stepping into a new creative format helps you get out of a rut and combat burnout. It allows you to explore new ideas and techniques without the pressure you feel in your usual medium, which can often reignite your original passion.”
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What is your first fashion memory?
“My first fashion memory is of my grandfather. He was always immaculately dressed, always with a subtle fragrance. He had great aviator sunglasses, neat hair, and stylish leather loafers. He had the suave look of James Bond, but the true character of a gentleman.”
What is your relationship with fashion, and what does fashion mean to you?
“Fashion is an autobiography without words. Every outfit I wear is a page from that book, revealing where I’ve been, how I’m feeling, and who I want to be that day.”
How would you best describe your style?
“My style is eclectic. My friends actually call me a chameleon with discipline because I’m constantly shifting between vintage, craft, and high fashion. One day you might see me in Comme des Garçons with an avant-garde hat, and the next, I’ll be wearing a perfectly cut Ralph Lauren blazer with an unexpected twist.”
Who is your favourite fashion designer, and why?
“My favorite designer is undoubtedly Alexander McQueen. When I was in fashion school, he was at his creative peak, and every collection made my jaw drop. He was a master of impeccable tailoring and theatrical storytelling, pushing fashion to be a medium for raw emotion and intellectual expression, not just commerce.”
Do you have a favourite fashion and art collaboration, and why?
“To me, the best fashion and art collaboration is between Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí. Their partnership in the 1930s was a true meeting of surrealist minds. Instead of just putting a painting on a dress, they created wearable art that was bizarre, witty, and deeply symbolic. The famous Lobster Dress and the Shoe Hat are perfect examples of how they blurred the lines between fashion and high art. Their work was revolutionary and set the standard for all collaborations that followed.”
Prates’ Five Wardrobe Must-haves
1. A well-tailored blazer
“A good blazer can elevate any outfit, whether it’s paired with a simple T-shirt and jeans or worn over a dress. It’s the ultimate tool for adding structure and polish.”
Double-breasted linen jacket, $3,016, Bode at Farfetch
2. Quality leather shoes
“I believe your shoes say a lot about you. Investing in classic, well-made leather shoes—like loafers or boots—is a non-negotiable for me because they’re durable, timeless, and get better with age.”
Peterborough suede boots, about $1,581, Church’s
3. Something handmade
“Whether it’s a handcrafted leather belt, a piece of jewelry, or a custom-tailored hat, I always want something that tells a story and shows the human touch of a skilled artisan.”
Capote hat, $395, Hat Of Cain
4. A simple white T-shirt
“It’s the ultimate blank canvas. A well-fitting white T-shirt is a foundation for countless outfits and is one of the most versatile and essential pieces you can own.”
Boxy cotton tee, $345, Dries Van Noten
5. Vintage denim
“I prefer vintage denim to anything new. It has a unique character, a perfect worn-in feel, and the fit is always different. It’s a key part of my personal style that can’t be replicated. “
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