YOUNG fashion designers want more platforms like the Singapore Fashion Festival (SFF) to create awareness of local labels.

Harry Halim, who is making his debut at the festival this year for the Nokia L'Amour Young Designer Show, says: "It is important for the agencies to keep local fashion going by encouraging new talents to come forward to join the industry.

"So, besides organising more competitions to 'discover' fresh talents, they can also consider pumping more money into events like SFF. It helps drum up publicity and spread the message to international buyers and local consumers."

It starts with education, says Vicky Tay, who launched her own label Burgundy last November. "It would be good to encourage the new generation to pursue fashion design as a career," she adds.

"It's unfortunate that the general mindset is that design school is the only option when a professional degree doesn't work out."

Both of them, as well as Hiroko Ueno of the eponymous label Ueno, also look forward to the day when Singaporean consumers become more supportive of local fashion.

Customers need to drop the perception that clothes from Singapore designers are inferior or less in value when compared to international labels, says Ms Ueno. Rather, she feels that there are "more than enough talents, designers and brilliant minds in Singapore".

Hideki Akiyoshi, regional creative director of Style Asia, an events and marketing consultancy that has helped organised shows for the likes of Versace, Leslie Kee, Sabotage(d) and Hugo Boss, feels that Singapore designers should stick to what works for the local climate.

"We have no autumn or winter season, so there is no point in producing the fur and leather pieces much loved by fashion capitals like New York and Milan," he says. "Instead of trying to copy what's in season at these cities, we should concentrate on making sexy, contemporary and wearable outfits for the tropics.

"Only then can we carve out a unique style identity for Singapore and transform it into a fashion capital."

Meet the fab four

These up-and-coming designers will be at the Nokia L?Amour Young Designer Show organised in support of young local talent in Singapore?s fashion industry.

DESMOND YANG, 33, ABYZZ

How he started: Worked for several local brands before launching Abyzz in 2003. Churns out sleek, streamlined and wearable pieces to take you from day to night. His collections are also sold in New York, Taipei and Manila.

What to expect from his Nokia collection: Bursting with colours, textures and prints to highlight the luscious graphic decoration and craftsmanship of the L'Amour mobile phone.

Inspired by: American designer Charles James, for his "superb pattern-making and original timeless designs".

Check out his works at: Level 2 Isetan Scotts.

HARRY HALIM, 22, HARRYHALIM

How he started: After graduating from LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts in 2005, he interned for a year with Celia Loe. After that, he was hired as a designer for Aussino's womenswear collection in China. He won the Asian Young Fashion Designers Contest at last year's Singapore Fashion Week, a trade-based fashion event.

What to expect from his Nokia collection: "Simple cuts", despite having won praise for his dark mysterious palette and sexy couture details such as elaborate pleating and raw finishes.

Inspired by: Martin Margiela, whom he admires for giving an unconventional twist to ready-to-wear clothes by fusing craftsmanship with concepts.

Check out his works at: Reverie, 11 Haji Lane.

HIROKO UENO, 23, UENO

How she started: While studying at Raffles Design Institute, she participated in various local and international fashion awards and events, including International Women's Wear Design Contest in Shanghai, 2002 and Singapore Young Designers Contest in 2003. After bagging the Mercedes-Benz Singapore Fashion Award in 2005, she was hired as a designer at recently defunct Song+Kelly21.

What to expect from her Nokia collection: Romantic ensembles in white and embellished with linens and laces in "a dazzling fusion of myth, magic, sea, sex and sun". It should bring to mind "the Greek isles of azure skies against crisp white villages scattered along the turquoise Aegean Sea".

Inspired by: "Christopher Bailey for Burberry, for creating effortlessly beautiful clothes; Alice Temperley, for her dreamy confections; and Marc Jacobs for his playful, sexy take on luxury brands."

Check out her works at: #03-16 The Heeren Shops.

VICKY TAY, 25, BURGUNDY

How she started: An avid fashion lover since her childhood days, she opted for a degree in electrical engineering because "I was afraid that it wouldn't work out". Nevertheless, she eventually decided to follow her heart and took the year after her graduation to learn tailoring and design basics. Five months ago, she started Burgundy.

What to expect from her Nokia collection: French Riviera, dominated by a soothing palette of navy, white and natural hues, perked up with embellishments such as glass beads and shell cutouts. Look out for her reinterpretation of classics such as high-waisted sailor pants in cotton satin.

Inspired by: "Miuccia Prada, whose clothes always make you think, and Giorgio Armani, who makes such elegant numbers."

Check out her works at: #03-06 Palais Renaissance. The Nokia L'Amour Young Designer Show begins at 5pm on Saturday at The Tent at Ngee Ann City.

For more details, log on to www.singaporefashionfestival.com.sg

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