SINGAPORE

kwodrent

The kwodrent series is a progressive and empirical body of works based on the study of rectangles, referenced to materials and construction methods. Each piece of work is numbered and dated to form a chronological record of the series’ development.

The series is defined and shaped by the pivotal working process, an intuitive and tactile approach derived from working hands-on with the medium. A fundamental aspect of the kwodrent series is the focus on the interdependency and inherent relationship between making and thinking, physical and abstract, as well as analogous and digital.

Laichan

Laichan is one of Singapore’s most celebrated couturiers and a firm favourite of women who appreciate fine details and high quality. His boutique is located at the iconic Raffles Hotel in Singapore where he designs luxury clothes with a symbiotic approach and sensibility. His designs are not simply about trends but also about refined good taste, style and beauty.

With BLUEPRINT 2010, Laichan is making a high-profile “comeback” with a collection that combines luxury and timelessness with extreme wearability. Made of misty colours, precious fabric and all things desirable, it embodies a return to feminine grace and a juxtaposition of east-west influences.


Marilyn Tan

Marilyn Tan works with silver as well as white and yellow gold. She loves to use unusual or unusually finished stones in her work and has worked with a wide variety of both precious and semi-precious gems. These basic materials are complimented by the use of other interesting materials, such as leather, silk ribbon, acrylic and suede, as she is always on the lookout for new elements to incorporate into her one-of-a-kind handcrafted designs.

Marilyn’s bold, modern, strong and sometimes colourful designs, inspired by her travels and her environment, are for confident, independent and strong women, although bespoke pieces for men are also available.

Nuboaix

Nuboaix was conceived with the dream to engineer a change in form, utility, shape, and silhouette – so as to transcend the trend cycle and offer timeless creations. The Nuboaix woman is a subtle fashion rebel – no one dictates what she can or cannot wear. She appreciates innovation and creativity on her own terms.

RAOUL

RAOUL is a stylish, innovative fashion brand offering accessible luxury and essentials to astute consumers. The brand carries a comprehensive collection of ladies’ ready-to-wear, leather goods and accessories.

Developed by F J Benjamin and launched in Singapore in 2002, it has made a name for itself and since grown from a single store to more than 30 retail stores in South East Asia and the Middle East, with a recently-opened showroom in New York. RAOUL is currently stocked at Harrods. It will also launch a young designer collaboration for its Fall/Winter 2010 collection.

Saturday

Saturday is the latest brainchild of Nic Wong and Daniel Loh. They chose the name because it implies a day of simplicity and comfort. Immerse yourself in drapes and layers of sheer comfort and embrace its carefree spirit. Blending sophistication and minimalism, this new form of simplicity is effortlessly done, yet perfectly undone. Saturday brings you a luxurious take on casual staples and the one-piece wear it
all. Focusing on a fluid and feminine silhouette, expect streamlined asymmetric details in soft light fabrics.

72 Smalldive (Singapore/Milan)

72 Smalldive was started by Szetiong Soh, whose hardcore addiction to design and “all things beautiful” often led him to new friendships with talented artists, artisans, and designers in Milan, where he is based. With the conviction that material consumption can be meaningful and humane, Szetiong established his studio in 2006, specializing in bespoke modern contemporary jewellery using precious and semi-precious stones.

Following the success of the venture, Szetiong felt that the studio should place its focus in making high quality and well-designed accessories more accessible to consumers. 72 Smalldive therefore launched its first prêt-a-porter jewellerry collection, Cut, in 2005, and presented Materialimmateriali in Paris in 2007. Two products from Materialimmateriali have been featured in Agence Marc Praquin’s Design&Design Book of the Year 2008 (www.indexbook.com).

Utt’er | Singapore

This label reinterprets a ready-to-wear line through uncommon pattern-making techniques, emphasizing form and comfort. A line that fuses modern living and vanity with quirky details - surprising seam lines, cuts or seemingly contradicting fabric choices – it presents edgy lifestyle pieces that are wholly original and minimal.

Vice & Vanity

Vice & Vanity was formed in 2006 by Vivi Lim and Aaron Kao, both of whom have no formal training in design. Aaron has a BA in Fine Art from the Royal Melbourne institute of Technology while Vivi is simply a keen observer of fashion with many years of experience in the retail industry. Both share a common aesthetic for all things creative and innovative, culminating in a favourite pastime for collecting and making curiosities.

The label happened by accident when a friend invited them to create a line for his boutique. They went on to design three more collections before they were invited to exhibit at the S/S 09 London Fashion Week. They were also shortlisted for the 09/10 Who’s Next exhibition held in Paris.

Wykidd

After partnering with British designer Ann Kelly in 1994 to launch Song & Kelly, one of the first Asian labels to make a mark on the Australian, UK and Singapore retail scenes, Wykidd Song has remained a media darling of the local and regional fash pack. He started his own WK design studio to craft bespoke dresses and undertake creative projects such as the designing of the male and female ministerial uniforms of the 2009 APEC summit in Singapore, and has never strayed far from his trademark luxe yet clean-lined aesthetics.

For Song, true luxury is to be found in subdued elegance and the art of tailoring. A concept that he is about to transfer to his debut men's line, which will be launched at BLUEPRINT 2010.

Yen

Yen is all about playing with details and fabrics to achieve a chic, modern and dainty look. Designer Arthur Yen has been in the fashion business for almost three decades, having designed haute couture collections under the Arthur Yen label, ready-to-wear lines, exclusive working women’s collections and other in-house labels for departmental stores around Southeast Asia. With a keen eye for the latest trends and a savvy business sense, he has outlasted the cyclical demands of the fashion industry, maintaining his position as one of the top designers here through the years.

The latest additions to his expanding fashion business are the popular women’s labels Joan Allen, Joan Sports, and Anne Kelly. Recognizing the expanding market for plus sizes and roomier tailored clothes, he has conceived collections along more classic lines, embellished with the season’s most stylish details.

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