The works of three notable Singaporean jewellery designers are being highlighted at Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM)’s debut show for contemporary local jewellery, aptly titled #SGJewelleryNow.
The homegrown designers and jewellery houses are namely Edmond Chin, State Property and Foundation Jewellers, with pieces that best represent the diverse multicultural influences and time-honed craftsmanship characteristic of the local jewellery scene.
Highlights include Taka pendants worn by the Ngada people of central Flores, East Indonesia, reimagined as an intricate golden necklace by Edmond Chin; an emerald signet ring hand-carved with floral motifs adapted from a Javanese comb in ACM’s very own collection by State Property; and a brooch inlaid with 61 diamonds to evoke the pristine plumage of a bird of paradise by Foundation Jeweller’s ateliers, itself resembling a piece that was presented to the late Queen Elizabeth II by former president of Singapore Tony Tan in 2012.
The display is part of the ongoing #SGFashionNow: Runway Singapore exhibition, an annual fashion showcase that’s seeing its final – and largest ever – showing since it was inaugurated in 2021.
The 2024 edition, fresh off the show’s premiere in Korea, features 28 designers that’ve been making waves in the local fashion scene, ranging from up-and-comers at the bleeding edge of their craft like Youths in Balaclava and Baelf Design, to established veterans that’ve left an indelible mark on the fashion world, including Andrew Gn, Ashley Isham, Benny Ong and Harry Halim.
Their works are assorted into three main categories, each exploring distinct segments of the burgeoning Singapore fashion scene.
There’s craftsmanship, highlighting, above all else, the artisanship of tailors who specialise in the bespoke and hand-crafted, continuing in a proud tradition first instated by Shanghainese tailors immigrating to Singapore in the 1930s.
Next comes Innovation in Tradition, where time-honoured techniques and silhouettes are given a fashion-forward facelift with contemporary practices. Think 3D printing, laser cutting, and novel textiles, along with a healthy dose of progressive flairs.
Last but not least, we have Urbanite, which explores the nascent force that is streetwear – a fashion style sometimes utilitarian, sometimes edgy, but always exciting, especially given its new-age confluence with the world of high fashion.
Both #SGFashionNow: Runway Singapore (co-curated by ACM and students from the School of Fashion at Lasalle College of the Arts) and #SGJewelleryNow runs now till Sep 1, 2024. Visit #SGFashionNow at the Contemporary Gallery, and #SGJewelleryNow at the Jewellery Gallery. Tickets are required (admission is free for Singaporeans and permanent residents). Visit here for more information.
All photos courtesy of Asian Civilisations Museum.
