Opening night sets the tone. So what did it foretell of Fashion Season @ Orchard?
Lots of giveaways, and a healthy respect for the Singaporean/Asian models.
We criss-crossed town on Friday night to catch all the shows/events.
6pm: Ion Orchard
It was not hard to spot the 16 models giving out the Topshop and Topman gift cards at Ion Orchard. In all, they gave out 5,000 cards worth between $10 and $50 to anyone who caught their fancy. It was easy to score a card.
The already tall girls were wearing sky-high heels, making them stick out among the Orchard Road crowd like well-dressed giraffes. It must have been tough for them because one model actually stepped aside, took her heels off in a huff and looked like she was going to faint. Suffer for beauty, my dear.
7pm: Mandarin Gallery The official launch of FSO was also the chance for the public to get to see the 10 finalists of the FSO Asian Model contest. Among them is The New Paper New Face 2004 finalist and sole Singaporean Cristabel Campbell, 23.
She is honoured but “mildly frustrated” about being the only local.
“Every time something like this happens, I’m reminded of how the industry here is just not very local friendly.”
But this outspoken girl also saw the contest as a step up.
“This is a good indication that at least they’re slowly opening up to the idea of Asian – and maybe local – faces in this Asian country.”
She added: “I’d like to also think my being part of this helps in a tiny way change the opinion that most people have of the local modelling scene.”
And that would be?
“Calling event girls models, or girls who work for free for experimental photography.
“We can also do runway shows, editorial shoots and are perfectly capable of making a living in bigger fashion cities.”
Someone please hand her a Cultural Medallion already.
7.30pm: Tangs Orchard
At the Tangs show, experience won over.
After a parade of cookie-cutter nymphettes, the show concluded with a quartet of former top local models. These ladies ruled the ’80s runway and from the looks of it, they are still capable of rocking it.
Former top Singapore models Lilian Sim, Melinda Ho, Torey Ong and Wendi Liong – dressed by Singapore designers Peter Kor and Thomas Wee – walked down the catwalk to much applause.
When frequent cover girl and runway staple Sim appeared, it was as if time stood still.
The 46-year-old mother of four didn’t look much different from her heyday. She credited it to cutting back on rice.
She joked: “Make-up covers a lot!"
But she confessed vanity helped.
“Well, we generally do maintain ourselves because we still want to look good.”
This brief return made her miss her modelling days.
Sim said, almost wistfully: “It’s nice to show off your beauty. After being normal all day, it’s nice to be beautiful once in a while.”
And after so many years, what do these veteran models talk about backstage?
“These days we just chat about our kids.”
8.30pm: 313@Somerset
By the time we dashed over, we caught the tail end of the show.
Models walked among the shoppers but since it was one of those “real people” shows, it took a while to distinguish between the civilians and the talents.
Here’s a clue: The talents looked dressed for winter, even when the FSO is celebrating the Spring/Summer collections.
Still, it’s good to see all types of models getting a piece of the action on Orchard Road’s biggest fashion night.
A bit of something for everyone – that’s the true spirit of fashion!
WHAT’S UP
Here’s when, where and how you can enjoy Fashion Season @ Orchard:
Win $1,000 shopping vouchers or fashion apparel and accessories by voting for your favourite Asian model in the FSO ASian Model Contest. Log on to www.razor.tv to see all the interviews with the models and vote. Voting ends April 12.
Vote for your favourite denim display at the Paragon, styled by Her World, Female and Nuyou fashion editors and stylists. and you could win shopping vouchers! The display will be up from Tuesday until next Sunday at Paragon Atrium 2. If you’re looking to buy a dress for your D&D, catch the Karen Miller fashion show at Paragon on Thursday at 7pm.
Witness one of the biggest fashion shows you’ll ever see on Saturday at 7pm, featuring 125 models in clothes by international fashion labels such as Alldressedup, Levi’s, Liz Claiborne, New Look and Vivienne Westwood.
The show will be held on the pedestrian walkway at Paragon.
This article was first published in The New Paper.
