OUR TEAM

Born in Frankfurt in 1940, Rolf von Bueren was raised in an artisan family that instilled a lifelong respect for craftsmanship and material integrity. In 1962, at the age of twenty-two, he travelled to Thailand and made Bangkok his home, beginning a deep and enduring engagement with Asia’s cultures and craft traditions. Through extensive travel, he immersed himself in traditional techniques and natural materials that would shape his artistic language. Renowned for monumental, labour-intensive sculptures and objets d’art, his works are held in private collections worldwide and have been exhibited in leading galleries and museums across London, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong. As Founder and Chairman of Lotus Arts de Vivre, Rolf has defined the House’s ethos for over four decades, placing artistic integrity above commercial considerations and creating a world where Asian heritage, nature, and meticulous handcraft exist in enduring harmony.

Nicklas von Bueren represents the second generation of the Lotus Arts de Vivre family and serves as Chief Executive Officer. Born in Bangkok to founders Rolf and Helen von Bueren, he grew up in a multicultural environment shaped by Asia and Europe, and was educated in Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, graduating from the Business School Lausanne. Beyond formal studies, extensive travel and immersion in European and Asian art fostered a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Before joining the family business, Nicki began his career in finance at Siam Commercial Securities during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, gaining formative experience during a period of economic upheaval. He joined Lotus Arts de Vivre in 1998, bringing financial discipline and a structured marketing vision that helped expand the brand’s global presence through international exhibitions and strategic partnerships in major cultural and commercial capitals.

Sri von Bueren represents the second generation of the Lotus Arts de Vivre family and is one of the driving creative forces behind the House’s distinctive identity. The elder son of founders Rolf and Helen von Bueren, Sri was raised in an environment where artistry, culture, and craftsmanship were part of daily life. Surrounded by master artisans, antique collectors, and global travellers, he developed an early instinct for materials, form, and the beauty found in nature. After completing his schooling in the United Kingdom, Sri pursued formal training in gold and silversmithing, mastering contemporary jewellery-making techniques while deepening his understanding of traditional craftsmanship. This blend of technical precision and artistic intuition forms the foundation of his creative approach. Upon returning to Thailand, Sri joined the family business, Lotus Arts de Vivre. In this role, he oversees the design studio and leads the creation of many of LAdV’s most iconic jewellery and home décor pieces. His work is defined by a bold use of unconventional natural materials — from scarab wings and coconut shells to ebony, bamboo, and driftwood — paired with exceptional gemstones and meticulous handcraft. Sri is known for pushing creative boundaries, challenging artisans to explore new techniques, and reimagining ancient crafts for the modern world.

Darin, known professionally as Praew, has a deep appreciation for nature, art, and beauty in all its forms. With a careful eye for detail and a natural instinct for service, she has always found joy in seeing people discover and own beautiful things. She completed a four-year British secretarial studies programme before pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Marketing Planning, graduating with First-Class Honours. Her education, combined with her interest in people and service, shaped the organisational discipline, attentiveness, and client-focused approach that would later become central to her professional life. Before entering the world of sales, Praew had imagined a career in the service industry, perhaps with an airline, or even in a diplomatic role representing her country. Her professional journey began as an executive secretary with a leading Japanese company, before an unexpected opportunity through a headhunter introduced her to sales. What began as an unforeseen path became a career of nearly thirty-six years, built around trust, knowledge, and the quiet satisfaction of connecting clients with objects of exceptional beauty. Throughout her time at Lotus Arts de Vivre, Praew’s role has grown through her close relationships with clients from many different walks of life. She regards each client with deep gratitude, not only for their support and trust, but also for the knowledge, experiences, and personal interests they have shared with her over the years. These encounters have continued to broaden her perspective and inspire her to improve, strengthening the care, preparation, and attention to detail she brings to every client relationship. One of the proudest achievements of her career was earning the trust of a highly valued client, which ultimately led to the largest single sale she has ever completed. For Praew, this was not simply a commercial success, but the result of dedication, sincerity, thorough preparation, and a deep understanding of the pieces she represented. It reinforced her belief that exceptional service is built through genuine relationships, consistency, and the willingness to keep learning every day. Praew sees her role as a bridge between a remarkable work of art and the person who will truly appreciate it. Whenever a new creation emerges from the Lotus Arts de Vivre atelier, her first thought is often which client might connect with it, understand its character, and become its rightful owner. This process of matching a piece with the right collector remains one of the most rewarding parts of her work, giving each day a sense of purpose and discovery. For Praew, the spirit of Lotus Arts de Vivre lies in creating works that are innovative, distinctive, and ahead of the market, pieces that stir excitement, admiration, and desire among collectors. She is especially moved when a true masterpiece appears: a singular work with its own presence, story, and character. In those moments, her role becomes especially meaningful, as she considers who will not only own the piece, but cherish it with the understanding it deserves. Outside of her professional life, Praew continues to draw inspiration from beauty and experience. She enjoys travelling, visiting museums, discovering different cultures, and collecting miniature handcrafted treasures, particularly rare and unusual pieces with a story behind them. She also enjoys spa retreats, exercise, world cinema, music of every genre, and authentic cuisine, valuing memorable experiences not only for their luxury, but for their sincerity, character, and lasting impression.

Pornpreeya Lieakrul, known professionally as Inn, developed an early appreciation for beauty, creativity, and design, qualities that would later draw her naturally towards the world of Lotus Arts de Vivre. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English Business Communication from Sripatum University before beginning her professional career in administrative and secretarial roles. During her university years, she first encountered Lotus Arts de Vivre through magazines, where the atelier’s creations left a lasting impression. Following graduation, she was encouraged to apply for a position within the company, an opportunity that would ultimately lead her into the world of luxury, craftsmanship, and client relations. Throughout her time at Lotus Arts de Vivre, Inn’s role has evolved considerably through hands-on experience across management, teamwork, client service, and international event organisation. Working both in Thailand and abroad has allowed her to develop a deeper understanding of the operational and interpersonal aspects of the luxury industry, while strengthening her ability to engage with clients from diverse backgrounds. One of the aspects of her work she values most is the collective achievement shared with her team when sales objectives are successfully met, reflecting both consistency and collaboration behind the scenes. Inn is particularly inspired by the opportunity to encounter new creations within the atelier, pieces she believes possess a level of originality and craftsmanship rarely found elsewhere. Equally meaningful to her is the privilege of serving high-level clients and participating in overseas events organised by the company, experiences that continue to broaden her perspective and deepen her understanding of the industry. What originally attracted her to Lotus Arts de Vivre was the individuality and creative spirit of the founders, whose personal style and constant sense of inspiration left a strong impression on her from the beginning. For Inn, storytelling remains central to the experience of luxury. She believes each work created by Lotus Arts de Vivre carries its own narrative, and that communicating the concept, inspiration, and artistry behind a piece is an essential part of connecting clients to the atelier’s world. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys travelling with friends, discovering new food, exercising, and spending time with her family. Much of her personal life remains connected to the countryside of Ratchaburi, where she enjoys caring for her father and the animals at her family home.

Sean Thummanond Gillies was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, and brings a multicultural perspective shaped by his Scottish upbringing and Thai heritage through his grandfather. Educated in Edinburgh, he later studied Graphic Design at Glasgow Caledonian University, where he developed an early interest in visual culture and design. Before joining Lotus Arts de Vivre, Sean built a foundation in luxury retail that began in Scotland and later took him to London and Kuwait. It was in Kuwait in 2016 that he first encountered Lotus Arts de Vivre, when the von Bueren family arrived to host a trunk show. Through a local partner, he was invited to assist with sales support during the three-day event. Following the success of the trunk show, he was introduced to the partners preparing to open a new Lotus Arts de Vivre boutique in Dubai and was offered the opportunity to help establish and manage the boutique at City Walk. After three and a half years in Dubai, the experience highlighted the importance of location within luxury retail. Coinciding with the global disruption of the COVID-19 period, the decision was taken to close the boutique. Sean was subsequently invited to join Lotus Arts de Vivre in Bangkok during the opening of the atelier’s boutique at the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, where he now supports local, regional, and international partners while cultivating relationships with collectors and clients around the world. Sean’s motivation lies in introducing clients and partners to the world of Lotus Arts de Vivre and sharing the artistry behind its creations. Working within a family-led company, where the creative vision is both intimate and deeply personal, remains a source of inspiration. He believes the objects emerging from the Lotus Arts de Vivre atelier are singular in the breadth of materials, craftsmanship, and imagination they bring together. Outside of his professional role, Sean maintains an active lifestyle through sport and creative exploration. He is particularly drawn to photography, often working with film, and finds inspiration in galleries, museums, architecture, and independent boutiques encountered during his travels.