STYLISH DESTINATIONS - SINGAPORE

By Eva Fydrych*

LUCKY NUMBER EIGHT

SINGAPORE IS WORLD�S 8TH FASHION CAPITAL

Photo courtesy of Zimbio

According to a survey by Global Language Monitor, Singapore is ranked number 8 in the world�s most fashionable cities.

Based on Narrative Tracking Technology which analyzes the Internet, Blogosphere, print and electronic media, as well as new social media sources such as Facebook and Twitter, Singapore has been propelled into the top 10 list of 2011�s fashion capitals (in 2010, Singapore was number 15). Right now the country is just two spots behind Hong Kong, and one spot above Tokyo.

Part of the success of bringing Singapore to the world map has got to be the annual Audi Fashion Festival which is held in April/May every year, as well we the BLUEPRINT trade show amongst many other breakthroughs, such as the opening of the first H&M and Louis Vuitton Island Maison in Southeast Asia.

Source: http://www.languagemonitor.com/fashion/london-overtakes-new-york-as-top-global-fashion-capital/

August 20th 2011

LOCAL FASHION DESIGNERS

Singaporean fashion designer Max Tan

Singaporean fashion designer Max Tan; Photo by May Lin Le Goff

Designer: Ashburn Eng; Photo by Soon Tong

FASHION EVENTS

There are two major fashion events taking place in Singapore each year: Audi Fashion Festival in May and Women's Fashion Week in October.

Organised by Fide Multimedia and SENATUS, WFW Singapore presents a season of exclusive shows which showcase the Best of Haute Couture. Frank Cintamani, WFW 2011 Singapore�s Chairman and Founder of Fide Multimedia, says, �Throughout its rich history, both Haute Couture and the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture which regulates it, have been regarded as representing the most exceptional, refined and skilled fashion and couture in the world. With Singapore�s evolving position as a sophisticated and affluent global centre for fashion, it is both timely and appropriate that Haute Couture, which is the epitome of fashion talent, expertise and craftsmanship, should be so extensively represented here at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore�.

�In achieving this unique event in bringing Paris to Singapore, it is our aspiration to likewise bring Singapore and Asia to Paris. There is an enormous creative fashion talent, depth of experience and skill in Singapore and Asia that, without doubt, would be both appreciated and be of great interest to those in Paris and the rest of the world. It is our dream to build upon everything that we are doing so as to create a fashion bridge between these exciting and dynamic cultures�, concludes Frank.

Women's Fashion Week official poster

Audi Fashion Festival 2011

From the world�s most revered designers and international top models to red carpet fashion galas and glamorous after-parties, the Audi Fashion Festival is gearing up for its high-octane return to Singapore from 16-20 May 2012 .

Audi Fashion Festival will be highlighted as the biggest fashion event of the year, with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board. Guests will be treated to a presentation of Thierry Mugler�s Autumn/Winter 2012 collection in the presence of Creative Director, Nicola Formichetti. Formichetti is well known for his extraordinary styling as Fashion Director in the Haus of Gaga (Lady Gaga) as well as being an art director for many fashion shoots and advertising campaigns. One of the most influential creative forces working in fashion today, Formichetti regards the digital world as his muse and avidly uses the web and social media. He is currently also the Contributing Editor of Dazed & Confused Magazine as well as the Fashion Director of Vogue Hommes Japan.

American fashion designer Zac Posen will be presenting his Pre-Fall 2012 and Fall/Winter 2012 collection at the Audi Fashion Festival (AFF) 2012 on 19 May at the Tent@Orchard. This will be Posen�s first ever show in Asia. Posen launched his namesake collection in 2001 and, following his first runway presentation in 2004, received the CFDA Swarovski�Perry Ellis Award for Ready-to-Wear. With his attention-grabbing designs, he is a favourite of many celebrity style icons, including Natalie Portman, Rihanna, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Lopez and Beyonc� Knowles.

Known for his iconic hourglass creations, such as the galaxy dress; Roland Mouret will be presenting his Autumn/Winter 2012 collection from Roland Mouret by the designer Roland Mouret at the festival. Mouret has reinvented the idea of style and sexiness in his brilliantly cut dresses which are some off the most empowering garments offered to women in the past decade.

Other participating designers include: Swarovski, Raoul, Alldressedup, Esther Perbandt, Timo Weiland, Yeojin Bae, Mae Pang, Max Tan, Redken, Audi Star Creation 2011's winners, and Parco Next NEXT showcasing Singapore�s most exciting young designer labels.

From media to fashion industry heavyweights and the cr�me de la cr�me of society, the Tent@Orchard will be the place to be seen!

STYLISH ARCHITECTURE

The architecture of Singapore displays a range of influences and styles from different places and periods. These range from the eclectic styles and hybrid forms of the colonial period to the tendency of more contemporary architecture to incorporate trends from around the world.

From the late 1990s, like many other global cities and aspiring global cities, the Singapore government consciously launched a drive to develop 'iconic' landmarks in the city, as a means to strengthening the Singapore brand identity as well as to attract foreign tourists, skilled immigrants, investements and buzz. Several such landmark projects have since been developed, sometimes through open or closed architectural design competitions. These include the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay arts centre, the Supreme Court of Singapore, the new National Library, the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort and the Singapore Flyer.

55 Blair Road Project by Ong & Ong Architects

Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands

VivoCity shopping mall

TRENDY BOUTIQUES

Many stylish stores are located at Haji Lane in the Kampong Glam neighbourhood of Singapore. Young people frequent the shophouses along this lane for the independent fashion boutiques and Middle Eastern cafes. It is one of the few places where you can see graffiti art in Singapore.

Other great locations for independent fashion include Bugis Junction, Bukit Timah, Yong Siak Street (a 7 minute walk from the Tiong Bahru MRT Station), and PARCO at Marina Bay.

Little Man boutique  - fashion designer Alicia Ong

Black Market 2 run by Filipino video artist Q.Teofisto and motion graphics designer J.Tuan

Local designer Jo Soh�s brand, HANSEL, located at Fullhouse Cafe

The 1967 Aston Martin Mini Cooper Classic outside Fullhouse Cafe

WORLD-CLASS SHOPPING

Brace yourself for a world-class shopping experience. There are many shopping precincts you can explore to get your shopping fix, for a variety of shopping choices throughout the island.

For the latest in fashion trends, check out Orchard Road which is Singapore�s main shopping district. 

Once an area filled with nutmeg, pepper and fruit orchards, Orchard Road has certainly come a long way. In the early 19th century, the orchards and plantations began to make way for houses, wet markets and outdoor hawker centres. In 2009, ION Orchard opened its doors. Spread across eight levels, the 66,000 square metres mall is filled with international luxury labels, high street brands, an art and exhibition gallery, casual dining outlets and fine-dining restaurants.

Fronting Orchard Road, ION Orchard is where six top luxury brands have built signature flagships in duplex units. Leading labels include names such as Ermenegildo Zegna, Louis Vuitton and Dior. For those who appreciate the designer things in life, you�ll be thrilled to know that ION Orchard is home to the largest Prada flagship store in the Asia Pacific. Designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi, it covers 1,200 sq m over two floors and offers the latest range of ready-to-wear, bags, accessories and footwear for women and men.

Directly linked to the Orchard MRT Station, the four basement levels of ION Orchard are constantly teeming with shoppers from all walks of life. A wide variety of high street brands such as Topshop, Fred Perry and Armani Exchange attract crowds of students and nine-to-five workers. ION Orchard is also where you�ll find French beauty and cosmetics store Sephora - the largest store in Asia. Second in size, only to the main store in France, Sephora at ION Orchard includes an in-store spa that offers a variety of facials, body treatments, waxing and nail care services.

But if you�re looking for more cultural shopping, then the districts of Kampong Glam, Little India and Chinatown are most ideal. Here, you�ll find an assortment of ethnic products, jewellery, textiles, antiques and more.

*All information has been taken from the following websites: AFF, WFW, Wikipedia, Your Singapore.

Louis Vuitton at ION Orchard

Stella McCartney

Luis Vuitton at Marina Bay

Penhaligon�s Boutique in Singapore (All photos courtesy of Zimbio)

More about Singapore: OFFICIAL TOURISM WEBSITE

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