Following the resurgence in local fashion brands at Men’s Fashion Week and Audi Fashion Festival, a new wave of local designers are blazing the trail with their brave, bold creations. We pick four most worthy to part you from your moolah.
MILS
Who: Founder/designer Sunny Lim participated at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Australia last month, and his collections will hit stores in New York later this year, making him the most promising designer of the lot. Following in the footsteps of the now defunct Woods & Woods, Lim creates contemporary classic pieces for men with a clever juxtaposition of fabrics.
“I am greatly inspired by literature, social constructs and history,” he says.
For his next Spring/Summer collection, for example, Lim was inspired by Brit author Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. “I juxtaposed translucency from high tech dintex fabrics overlaying paneled shirts with irregular collars to create a very utilitarian look.”
Must-buys: For the current season, made-to-order leather jackets ($1,000) and jumpers in black cotton garbandine ($235), while for Spring/Summer 2013 (pre-orders available), waterproof jackets ($199) and made-to-order leather pants ($600).
Where: Parco Next NEXT
Evenodd
Who: Another designer with a penchant for audacious menswear creations withan emphasis on streamlining the male figure, former stylist Samuel Wong’s genre-bending pieces are a hoot. “The brand came about when I was designing clothes for myself to wear to events,” says Wong. “I realized there was a gap between edgy and more wearable, minimal-type pieces in Singapore as everyone is so obsessed with the preppy look. Hence, I wanted to create something completely different.” Indeed, Wong’s philosophy of integrating masculine and feminine elements results in shirts, T-shirts, shorts, pants, blazers, jackets and even ponchos with a twist—with shirts particularly so, fused with flared, emphasized waistlines.
Must-buys: The new collection of Autumn/Winter drops from the brand’s Black line of T-shirts and accessories ($69 upwards), as well as the current range of shirts ($149 upwards) that will make you a standout anywhere.
Where: Blackmarket and Parco Next NEXT
Lion Earl
Who: Marrying fashion and architectural elements to dazzling effect, womenswear designers Lionel Low and Hariz create show-stopping, sensuous dresses that echo renowned local couturier Ashley Isham’s equally elaborate pieces. “For the current season, we came up with a narrative of a tree lady who was forced to leave her forest due to deforestation and urbanization,” says Low.
Key pieces include a dress and a skirt that were hand-beaded for more than 50 hours each. “The fabrics were then frayed to create a fringe that resembled the visual effect of the branches and roots of willow trees,” he adds. “There is also a piece with a deep plunging neckline gown with over 200 hand dyed buttons and a four-meter long train.” Ooh la la.
Must-buys: The above elaborate masterpieces aside, the upcoming Fall/Winter collection features a white chiffon dress with faux fur trimmings and a vest with playful fox motifs—definitely another stunner (all $700 upwards).
Where: Parco Next NEXT
ZAAK
Who: Informed by the works of fashion designers Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada, the brand by Daion Lim pushes the style envelope with its uncompromising take on accessories and womenswear. “I’ve always believed that any piece of design must be able to evoke emotions, whether good or bad,” says Lim. For his latest collection, Lim chose to focus on the silhouette and cut and also play on the impracticality of clothes. “Friends always harp on how everything has to be practical and it really annoys me,” he says. “So I placed pockets—some oversized and up to four—on a sleeveless top or moved the pockets to the front of pants as well.” Very bold indeed.
Must-buys: Chunky accessories and bags ($59 upwards) that are inspired by Lim’s recent trip to Dhaka, Bangladesh. “I was really interested in the strong colors, as well as their use of raw materials, in particular how they manage to weave plastic fabrics into their bags,” he says.
Where: Threadbare & Squirrel
