Female shows you the Asian labels of the moment, as curated by Corrine Ng, co-founder of online multi-label store Shopthemag, and an advocate of regional designers.

Top Local Designers Koon Hor

MULTITUDE
Who: A six-month-old local costume jewellery brand co-developed by (and exclusive to) Shopthemag – the identities of its two designers remain under wraps.
Why: Its elaborate, Peranakan-tinged necklaces recall those by French jeweller-of-the-moment Shourouk, but cost a fraction ($300-$600). Styles range from chandelier patterns to body chains, all handmade in Singapore using mainly crystal and brass. Production is limited to keep the pieces exclusive, and they have been selling out fast even though the brand is so new and hardly known. That should change soon.

Top Local Designers Koon Hor 1

MAN CHIEN
Who:
Malaysian artist-turned-designer who launched her namesake label last year.
Why: The term “wearable art” is often used loosely, but her stuff is the real deal. Working with simple, classic silhouettes, she hand-felts and hand-paints every piece so a dress takes three days to complete. She also treats them so they can be dry-cleaned. For all that workmanship, she’s priced so reasonably ($399-$1,399) that Ng’s had customers asking if they’ve been undercharged.

Top Local Designers Koon Hor 2

KOONHOR
Who: The Singapore-based label started by Catrine The (above left) and Koon Lim in F/W ’10 under the name Apercu.
Why: It’s about time the brand, which puts an edgy, slightly sporty spin on functional separates ($399-$1,800), gets the recognition it deserves locally. Its designs are fashion-forward with high-tech fabrication; it’s international, having shown at the New York Fashion Week for three seasons; in 2013, Vogue Italia called it a brand to watch; and its star pieces are always snapped up by Shopthemag’s savvy Hong Kong-based customers.

Top Local Designers Koon Hor 3

MELINDA LOOI
Who: Award-winning Malaysian couture/bridal designer whose ready-to-wear line is into its third season.
Why: She’s one of the bolder designers coming out of the region right now, and debuting on Shopthemag in S/S ’15. Her pieces ($399-$2,099) – T-shirt dresses, maxis and sheaths with spare, modern lines – boast an eclectic mix of prints and fabrics (think organza with knits and leather), and intricate beadwork. They’re always a standout, which is unique considering how the clean, pared-back look is so in right now.

An adapted version of this article was published in Female January 2015.