Kleting from Jakarta and her design.

PLAYING with deconstructive patterns, Indonesian designer Kleting recreates a pair of Indian-inspired jodhphur into formal pants for the office. Simple, stylish and with a clever twist.

Many of us might not have heard of her YET, but the 30-year-old budding designer who has had her brand, KLE, for two years now has big dreams to see her clothes sold beyond the doors of her local outlets, and in stores worldwide.

KLE will be in town this month from May 19-22 to showcase her Cruise 2011/2012 collection as part of the much-anticipated fashion event of the year, BLUEPRINT 2011.

The tradeshow, which is into its second year after a successful first run last year, is a platform to help budding designers, like Kleting, launch their brands internationally.

This year, some 120 Asian and international cult brands hailing from capitals like Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York and London will be showcased in Singapore.

Good news for participating designers is that top-tier buyers such as Samsung Cheil Industries, In the Woods, Boontheshop, J Roseroco NY and Lotte from Korea, Lane Crawford and The Swank from Hong Kong and Triple Major, Shine and Water Stone from China have confirmed their attendance.

Kicking off the event, is a closed-door fashion trade show held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre from May 19-20, where designers will present their Cruise 2011/2012 collections to more the international buyers. Homebrands such as RAOUL, Ashley Isham, alldressedup and Wykidd will also be on showcase. --- Realised it's not a fashion show they are refering to, it's just a fashion showcase, my bad.

And just when you think it's all about apparel, accessory designers will also get an opportunity to showcase their crafts. Look out for up-and-coming stars like Ling Wu, The Jewel Box and Tsura are among returning brands like Choo Yilin (Singapore) and Pitch (Bangkok) which have now boasts of regional presence.

Exclusive shopping

Pop-up stores and exclusive designer buys. Fashionistas can look forward to a shopping extraveganza at BLUEPRINT Emporium, where limited-edition items will be sold at good discounts.

For two days only, from May 21-22, pieces from about 80 of the trade show designers will be up for sale. These include seasonal and sample sales items.

Emporium-only stores to look out for include four of the best high street stores from Korea, LeShop, Zooc, BanillaB and Lowclassic; fashion labels from Jakarta such as Geulis, Anonymous, King Barracuda and Eye Amand; Laconic from Penang, and Ongshunmugam from Singapore. Items not stocked in Singapore, such as Timo Weiland from New York and Jose Duran from Dominican Republic will also be up for grabs.

Also available is a tight edit of expat pop-up stores such as Tabitha Foundation Singapore – a not-for-profit organisation which supports the poorest communities in Cambodia by building a sustainable livelihood for the women and their families through handmade silk and upcycled products, along with nana&bird, a weekend-only pop-up store with a specially curated collection of fashion, handmade leather goods, jewellery and furnishings.

Additional reporting by Charlene Ng.