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RIZAL AHYAR, 42, FASHION CHOREOGRAPHER
If you've been to any of Zouk's anniversary parties or shows at the Singapore Fashion Festival, you would have seen this showman in his element.
Rizal's shows are done with much fanfare and aplomb, you can expect to see acrobats, cheerleaders, marching bands and fashion insiders as catwalk models.
It's Cirque du Soleil meets Moulin Rouge with a little Priscilla Queen Of The Desert thrown in.
He credits his mother for his creative streak, having urged him to take part in school concerts and attend music classes.
The 22-year veteran has done many memorable shows, including putting together the first parade to launch Singapore International Shopping Festival in 1990 and a few years later, the Great Singapore Sale.
"For both parades, we had a cast of nearly 2,000 people and only time for three or four rehearsals. We only had two weekends to try and pull the entire parade together," he says.
He was also behind The Elite Models Asia Pacific finals in Shanghai last year.
What's inspiring about fashoin is that it's always evolving, he says.
"Sometimes quicker, sometimes slower, but always different."
How have you contributed to the Singapore fashion scene?
I've always been true to my own style of presentation.
I believe intensity, if used carefully, is an important ingredient to adding drama and vibrancy to a production.
Big or small, you need to understand what your clients want or how they visualise their events in their mind.
Never re-hash your jobs, especially in Singapore, because it's too small and people will talk about it. Re-invention is a must.
What struggles did you face along the way?
Less-known - and worse, new and inexperienced - competitors who undercut prices. And that there are those who still feel that foreign means better. But in the end, the results will show.
What is the Singapore look?
Very dressed down. Make-up is often optional. However, the one thing most Singaporeans make a conscious effort to be - or look, at least - is healthy.
Which aspect of the Singapore style would you change?
I wish that Singaporeans would learn to respect the idea of dressing up for an occasion. For example a wedding requires some formality - you shouldn't look like you've rushed off from the race tracks. It's one thing not to have any pride in your dressing, but you should respect the people who have invited you and bother to dress up.
>> Singapore style
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