Just how much bigger is the annual Singapore Fashion Week going to be this year? For starters, the number of designers showcasing their collections at National Gallery Singapore next month goes up from over 50 compared to 40 a year before.
Held from Oct 26 to Oct 28, the three-day event which is known for championing the works of established and emerging regional and homegrown Asian designers will be headlined by Taiwanese-American designer Jason Wu. Meanwhile, veteran designer Lai Chan who is feted for his couture-worthy cheongsams will open the shows on Oct 26 — the first time a homegrown designer is accorded the honour.
So what else is new in this year’s instalment? Cue a modest fashion (read: Muslim) fashion showcase and an industry technology summit that Wu would be speaking at. With a packed schedule for Singapore Fashion Week this year, we round up some of the labels and designers to pencil down in your calendar.
Who: The Taiwan-born and New York-based fashion designer who rose to fame after Michelle Obama donned his ivory gown for her husband’s inauguration ball in 2009.
What to expect: It is not clear if Wu would be presenting his seductive and grown-up Fall ’17 collection in Singapore, or if he would be showing the Madame Gres-influenced Spring ’18 collection which he recently presented at New York Fashion Week. But the fact that this year marks his 10th anniversary in the business does open the possibilities that the 34-year-old might show some of his greatest hits.
Who: The Taiwan-born and New York-based fashion designer who rose to fame after Michelle Obama donned his ivory gown for her husband’s inauguration ball in 2009.
What to expect: It is not clear if Wu would be presenting his seductive and grown-up Fall ’17 collection in Singapore, or if he would be showing the Madame Gres-influenced Spring ’18 collection which he recently presented at New York Fashion Week. But the fact that this year marks his 10th anniversary in the business does open the possibilities that the 34-year-old might show some of his greatest hits.
Who: The man behind the eponymous fashion label known for its cheongsams. Besides being a favourite of the high-society and brides, the veteran designer’s works have also appeared on the silver screen in movies such as Romeo + Juliet and Shakespeare In The Park.
What to expect: Chan will be the first homegrown designer to open Singapore Fashion Week on Oct 26. While this is not the first time the Oriental cheongsam has made its debut at the Singapore Fashion Week runway, Chan’s deft tailoring and modern but non-kitschy interpretation of the Chinese garment would be a true masterclass to watch. Be prepared to spot plenty of guests donning the traditional dress too.
Who: The man behind the eponymous fashion label known for its cheongsams. Besides being a favourite of the high-society and brides, the veteran designer’s works have also appeared on the silver screen in movies such as Romeo + Juliet and Shakespeare In The Park.
What to expect: Chan will be the first homegrown designer to open Singapore Fashion Week on Oct 26. While this is not the first time the Oriental cheongsam has made its debut at the Singapore Fashion Week runway, Chan’s deft tailoring and modern but non-kitschy interpretation of the Chinese garment would be a true masterclass to watch. Be prepared to spot plenty of guests donning the traditional dress too.
Who: The six-year-old womenswear line started by the Israeli-based Singapore designer Gin Lee. Last year, she was named “Emerging Designer of the Year” at the Singapore Fashion Awards.
What to expect: Lee would be showcasing her S/S ’18 collection during the Fashion Futures 2.0 segment on Oct 26 — meant to be a business-focused and talent development programme for Singapore designers — of Singapore Fashion Week. Known for creating wardrobe classics with a relaxed cut, she’d be showing her designs along with Singapore bag brand Ling Wu.
Who: The six-year-old womenswear line started by the Israeli-based Singapore designer Gin Lee. Last year, she was named “Emerging Designer of the Year” at the Singapore Fashion Awards.
What to expect: Lee would be showcasing her S/S ’18 collection during the Fashion Futures 2.0 segment on Oct 26 — meant to be a business-focused and talent development programme for Singapore designers — of Singapore Fashion Week. Known for creating wardrobe classics with a relaxed cut, she’d be showing her designs along with Singapore bag brand Ling Wu.
Who: Founded in 2014, this womenswear label is helmed by creative director Daniel Ngoo. The Perak-born Ngoo previously cut his teeth in design by working for Malaysian fashion designer Lee Khoon Hooi and Singapore brand Raoul
What to expect: Whole9Yards will be showcasing its S/S ’18 on Oct 27 as part of the Fashion Futures 2.0 event. True to the brand’s trademark of street-slash-contemporary fashion, expect plenty of lace, embroidery, and florals. Think a darker Sacai and Self-Portrait.
Who: Founded in 2014, this womenswear label is helmed by creative director Daniel Ngoo. The Perak-born Ngoo previously cut his teeth in design by working for Malaysian fashion designer Lee Khoon Hooi and Singapore brand Raoul
What to expect: Whole9Yards will be showcasing its S/S ’18 on Oct 27 as part of the Fashion Futures 2.0 event. True to the brand’s trademark of street-slash-contemporary fashion, expect plenty of lace, embroidery, and florals. Think a darker Sacai and Self-Portrait.
Who: The eponymous line of Myanmar-born designer and London College of Fashion alum Wai Yang.
What to expect: The designer will be debuting her Spring ’18 collection at the fashion incubation Fashion Futures 1.0 show on Oct 26. Expect to see her penchant for exaggerated silhouettes and gender-fluid designs and dramatic prints at the event. In short, her work is going to be big on the fashion school cool factor.
Who: The eponymous line of Myanmar-born designer and London College of Fashion alum Wai Yang.
What to expect: The designer will be debuting her Spring ’18 collection at the fashion incubation Fashion Futures 1.0 show on Oct 26. Expect to see her penchant for exaggerated silhouettes and gender-fluid designs and dramatic prints at the event. In short, her work is going to be big on the fashion school cool factor.
Who: The fashion lecturer and luxury bag designer Ling Wu. She is also behind what could just be one of the most beautiful stores in Singapore.
What to expect: The bag designer will be showcasing her latest bag collection alongside fashion label Ginlee on Oct 26. Look out for her buttery soft leather bags and that edgy take exotic skins for clutches sans the ladies-who-lunch vibe.
Who: The fashion lecturer and luxury bag designer Ling Wu. She is also behind what could just be one of the most beautiful stores in Singapore.
What to expect: The bag designer will be showcasing her latest bag collection alongside fashion label Ginlee on Oct 26. Look out for her buttery soft leather bags and that edgy take exotic skins for clutches sans the ladies-who-lunch vibe.
Who: The womenswear label started by four-time Singapore Fashion Week alum and street style fixture Yoyo Cao.
What to expect: Besides Insta-ready wardrobe basics that are also trendy, Cao’s recent obsession with tailoring also means the clothes go beyond #OOTDs. And yes, get ready to see plenty of Cao’s celebrity and fashion insider posse in the front row on Oct 28.
Who: The womenswear label started by four-time Singapore Fashion Week alum and street style fixture Yoyo Cao.
What to expect: Besides Insta-ready wardrobe basics that are also trendy, Cao’s recent obsession with tailoring also means the clothes go beyond #OOTDs. And yes, get ready to see plenty of Cao’s celebrity and fashion insider posse in the front row on Oct 28.
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