Singapore Fashion Week wraps up on high note

Singapore Fashion Week ended with a flourish, as local luxury shoe brand Mashizan and London-based contemporary label Self-Portrait closed the glitzy event on two runways at the National Gallery Singapore.

The shows wrapped up a five-day extravaganza of collections from Asian designers that dazzled more than 6,000 guests.

Self-Portrait, launched by Malaysia-born designer Han Chong, closed the event on its main stage with an upbeat 15-minute show. The collection featured his distinctive use of lace contrasted with edgier, masculine silhouettes.

Feminine ruffles were paired with military skirts, while lace dresses were made sexy with asymmetrical off-the-shoulder styles.

Over at the second stage in the auditorium foyer, Singaporean shoe designer Mashizan Masjum presented a collection featuring glittery metallic colours and geometric heels. The label, founded in July last year, has been seen on singer La Toya Jackson and other celebrities.

This year's Singapore Fashion Week was not only staged at an impressive new venue - it was previously held at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza - but also had a new focus on Asian talent. Twenty of its 22 shows featured Asian designers, a significant increase from the eight highlighted at last year's event.

Big names this year included Chinese designer Guo Pei, famed for the ornate canary-yellow gown worn by singer Rihanna at last year's Met Gala. Another couturier was New York-based Indian-American Naeem Khan, whose dresses are beloved by United States First Lady Michelle Obama.

Apart from Mashizan, Singapore's signature fashion event also feted local labels such as Arissa X by Arissa Cheo, Max.Tan by Max Tan, Aijek by Danelle Woo and Ong Shunmugam by Priscilla Shunmugam. It was organised by marketing and communications agency Mercury M&C.

Designer Han Chong was honoured to close Singapore Fashion Week on the main stage, saying: "It was my first time showing in Asia. To be able to show in front of friends and family who could make it was exciting."

Marketing executive Shikin Rosli, 25, who attended eight shows, including Self-Portrait, said the gallery gave the event an air of luxury. "I like that the venue offered two stages which gave audiences very different experiences."

melheng@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Oct 31, 2016.
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