Singapore Fashion Week (SGFW) was packed, back to back, with exciting shows. They all had an important message; New Generation Designers. The new driving force for the fashion industry, tasked with bringing a fresh perspective on what we put on our backs. It could be avant garde, or a play on traditional silhouettes combined with prints inspired by what’s around us.
This year, we saw the debut of the first professional capsule collections from the Star Creations 2014 winners – Han Newman (Korea), Jun Zhou (China) and Rebecca Lam (Hong Kong) – designed under the close mentorship of Douglas and Odile Benjamin of RAOUL and F J Benjamin.
Han NewMan (Korea)
Han Newman took third place with “The Scientific Expedition” collection, all while wowing the judges with his professional sense of direction throughout the competition. It is hardly a surprise when you take a look at his achievements over the years; graduating from Han Yang University in Seoul with a Bachelor of Arts in Clothing and Textile, working as a designer at Nina Ricci Men for two years, and, eventually going independent and winning the Grand Prize in Next Generation Fashion Creator Contest & Fashion Blossom in Seoul.
This year, he launched his own label; Han Newman and his maiden capsule collection titled “Jump into the Sky”. He drew inspiration from the excitement and apprehension we feel in the pivotal moments of our lives, from getting a new job to meeting people for the first time – as if releasing a parachute into the sky. It featured tom-boyish outfits with an obvious sporty street style influence that has taken over the world as of late. What sets him apart is his unique use of details and aviator-inspired prints in oversized parachute silhouettes.
Jun Zhou (China)
While he is a fresh grad from London College of Fashion with a Masters in Fashion Design & Technology, Menswear, he has already claimed the prestigious Gold Prize of the 8th Cocoon Cup China International Women’s Designer Contest – all before taking 2nd place at Star Creations.
He was my favourite of the three, taking simple, structural shapes and transforming them into high-end luxury. He took traditional country and hiking looks combined with sportswear references, and topped them off with a vibrant choice of blue and yellow – definite show stealers.
Rebecca Lam (Hong Kong)
Professionally trained at Ryerson University, School of Fashion, Rebecca holds more than the title of designer. She enjoys expressing her abstract point of view, ideas and mood in fashion as well as in paintings. With so much talent, it is no wonder she has taken home the bragging rights for Audi Young Designer Award, Victoria Amadio Award, finalist for the Bretton Designer of the Year award and, of course, Grand Prize Winner for Star Creations 2014.
Her capsule collection has a rather meaningful take. Aptly named Support Spring/Summer ’16, it gives back to the support from friends and family who helped make her collection a reality. She has taken monochrome fashion to another level with a play on her abstract paintings and playing with the block colour trend. Incredibly wearable, the designs and cuts are classic and will not go out of style.
For more pictures, check out the SUPERADRIANME Facebook Page.
About the Writer
Jessica is a young lady of many obsessions. She gets herself into everything ranging from the latest in the monochrome fashion world (she only wears black, and sometimes, white) to convincing the masses that Community is the best TV series ever made.
Currently, she enjoys looking like Sailor Mercury had a baby with Wednesday Addams.
