Singapore’s premier fashion event, the Singapore Fashion Week (SGFW) has always been a supportive platform for local designers. And at this year’s SGFW, e-commerce platform Zalora gave their support to emerging designers featured in the Fashion Futures 1.0 shows.
An exciting feature this year was that attendees for selected designers at the show could shop for the clothes directly from a live streaming service provided by Zalora. For Weekend Sundries and Ying The Label, attendees were able to browse a catalog of presented looks during the shows, wish list their favourites, then purchase the outfits via the Zalora e-shopping mobile app straight away.
And if you missed out on the show, here are the designers that were featured in this year’s Fashion Futures 1.0 shows:
The Label: A classic menswear label that pays attention to craftsmanship and fine detailing. Taking its name from the French expression, “of good lineage”, Deboneire applies the crème of both classic and contemporary tailoring to its intricately made suits, and offers an expansive choice of prints, fabrics and cuts.
The Designer: Deboneire’s Founder and Creative Director Matthew Gideon has showcased his creations in major expositions like Singapore Rendezvous in 2016, and the Gala Dinner of The French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore 2017. A self-taught designer who first studied software engineering and graphic design, Matthew ventured into fashion design at the tender age of 17. Since then, this avid vanguard of men’s tailoring has dressed local male celebrities like Nathan Hartono, Keagan Kang, Lee Teng, Paul Foster and Utt, and has also worked on collaborations with international brands like Formula 1, Lamborghini, deLaCour and JP Morgan.
Best Worn By: The man who appreciates a good cut and quality tailoring details in his clothes, and wants to look sharp and professional with an understated sophistication.
Best Worn For: The office and formal events, where you need a sharply tailored outfit to impress.
The Label: Built on the values of being true to yourself, being confident in who you are and being the best you can be, Ginlee Studio makes clothes with relaxed flattering silhouettes to provide comfort and uncompromised style. Its FW 2017 collection reinterprets urban classics to give them a fresh modern spin.
The Designer: Established in 2011 in Israel by Singaporean designer Gin Lee, Ginlee Studio is known for its elegant and minimalistic designs that marry comfort with style. Having lived across Singapore, London, Shanghai and Israel over the past 15 years, Gin’s designs reflect her own philosophy towards fashion and clothes: ‘Making Fashion Matters’. She feels that fashion should have a high functionality that is well-designed and complements the wearer’s daily needs.
Best Worn By: The woman who prefers no fuss in her outfits and appreciates quality and wearability above all else.
Best Worn For: Everyday work and play, and especially for days when you are constantly on the go.
The Label: A Singapore brand which creates luxurious handbags for modern, independent women. Ling Wu bags and accessories are made of butter-soft leathers and hand-polished exotic skins and feature classic shapes and silhouettes.
The Designer: Heir to a long line of independent and entrepreneurial women, bag designer Goh Ling Ling’s passion for vintage handbags inspired her to create her label Ling Wu after graduating from Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London. Now, as a mother-of-three, Ling is keenly aware of the need that both function and beauty play in the lives of a new generation of independent women. Above all, she believes a great bag should never live within the confines of the latest trend, but should live with purpose as a close and honest friend to whoever owns it.
Best Worn By: The bag lover who wants a luxury bag that is practical and projects timeless style.
Best Worn For: Carrying everyday essentials, and when you want to transition from day to night effortlessly without the need to change your bag.
The Label: A luxury fashion label that emphasises artisanal designs and patterns, Nida Shay‘s new collection is inspired by Singapore and the beauty of nature. Named “Journey of the Crimson Sunbird”, the pieces will feature tropical leaves and florals rich in colour and embellishment on traditionally feminine silhouettes.
The Designer: Nida Tahir Shaheryar, Founder and Creative Director of Nida Shay, is born and raised in Abu Dhabi with Pakistani heritage, and currently based in Singapore. After a short career in finance, Nida pursued her childhood dream and went on to study fashion at Parsons School of Design in Paris and is now dedicated to developing her womenswear clothing line Nida Shay. Her work is inspired by her love for nature – and further ignited by her father’s magical garden in Lahore, his love for poetry and the curiosity of her two little boys, and features signature detailed patterns that come to life through the rich craftsmanship derived from her Abu Dhabi and Pakistani heritage.
Best Worn By: The woman who loves feminine touches and details on her outfits, and someone who appreciates pretty florals and artisanal embroidery.
Best Worn For: Events where you need to dress up without being too formal looking, like at a tea party or a wedding lunch.
The Label: Using unconventional materials, bold graphical prints and eye-catching colours, Wai Yang is the label to go to if you want to stand out from the crowd. The interesting textures and details on each piece of clothing is contrasted with a minimal aesthetic, creating unique looks and shapes that continually redefine modern womenswear.
The Designer: Wai Yang is a Burmese-born Singapore based designer, who began her studies in BA Fashion Design at Raffles Design Institute in Singapore, before completing another degree in BA Fashion Textiles at the London College of Fashion. She has gained some industry experiences, worked for a few commercial and luxury brands, before launching her own label Wai Yang, in 2016.
Best Worn By: The modern woman who likes strong colours, bold patterns and a contemporary silhouette.
Best Worn For: Functions and parties. Several pieces can also work for the modern office and can take you from boardroom to after-work events.
The Label: Centred on simplicity of cut with a focus on attention to detail and ease of wear, Weekend Sundries is designed with quality fabrics that feels great on your body. The label’s core philosophy is rooted in the understated beauty found in the most commonplace and familiar things that surround us, and offers the wearer a breathing space and respite through the clothes.
The Designer: Multi-disciplinary designer, Michelle Chan, is the owner and founder of Singapore womenswear label Weekend Sundries. Michelle graduated from Brown University with a double degree in Architectural Studies & Fine Arts (Printmaking) and later honed her skills in pattern making and draping at The London College of Fashion, as well as textile printing techniques at the London Printwork Trust. That turning point gave her the conviction to establish her design studio and subsequently, the launch of her debut collection in 2012.
Best Worn By: The woman who puts comfort first and views fashion as a lifestyle to be incorporated into urban living.
Best Worn For: Everyday living and relaxed days.
The Label: Ying The Label, an emerging Singaporean label, creates beautiful collections featuring silhouettes with feminine and simple detailing on flowy outlines. Materials used are always soft to the touch and embrace the wearer’s body with ultimate comfort. The label also loves infusing its clothes with origami-inspired patterns for an artsy, whimsical touch.
The Designer: Since its inaugural launch in January 2015, Ying The Label has been stocked by departmental stores like Isetan and Tangs, as well as other smaller retailers like Soon Lee at Haji Lane. Its designer, Ying, is always inspired by her surroundings and emotions, and through them she produces subtle but surprising; delicate yet profound; classic and highly wearable clothes.
Best Worn By: A woman who enjoys a little quirkiness and fun in her dressing.
Best Worn For: Casual weekends and lunch dates with BFFs. Many of the pieces can also be worked into everyday office wear.
Visit singaporefashionweek.com.sg for more information.
Download the ZALORA app here and catch the live stream of the Singapore Fashion Week 2017 Fashion Futures 1.0 shows at www.zalora.sg/fashion-week-singapore
This story first appeared on www.womensweekly.com.sg
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