What began as an idea has sparked into a collaboration between DELL and featuring recent graduates aspiring to break into the fashion industry. After many rounds of endless conversations, heartache and coffee-runs, Project Expose was created that is basically fashion that’s amplified by attitude.
Running through from the months of May through to July,teams of more than 6 stylists will come together producing 7 sets of photographs that flaunts their attitude. Photos will be uploaded here daily for the public to “Like”, comment and share.
The Team
Freda, Ryden and Willy are an eclectic trio freshly graduated from Temasek Polytechnic’s Diploma in Moving Images. These young and energetic individuals are always on the look out for new experiences and fresh perspectives. Their lust for adventure has led them to take on the challenge of capturing the essence of Project X through photographs and videos.
Being the eyes and ears of Project X, they will be the ones who will take you into the heart of this project. The mission is simple: To expose the talents of recent graduates who want to break into the local fashion scene.
We’re obviously Foon Foonofans to begin with, but after seeing his seriously enviable collection of leathers, we found ourselves smitten with his casual-yet-sleek takes on the classic shapes we already love to tote.
Foon’s ONESELF collection is purposefully and expertly pieced together, and combines black premium leather with a blood red lining. The simplicity of the sleek, straight lines add a touch of mystique to the monochrome pieces, and create an urban, polished finish which amps up any outfit.
We’ve got a few sneak peeks at the line here, but you can peep the entire collection at IN-STORE, PARCO nextNEXT, Level 2, Parco Marina Bay Millenia Walk.
When well-intentioned entrepreneurs combine fashion with a social cause, oftentimes design and commercial viability fall by the wayside. It puts equally well-intentioned consumers in a dilemma: should I buy something, because it’s fair trade even if it’s butt ugly and I’ll never wear it? Hmm. Hence I was thrilled to learn about Saught, a new socially-conscious accessories line where looking chic and doing good goes hand in hand.
Founded by Pamela Yeo, Ng Sook Zhen and Adeline Heng, three 24-year-old savvy entrepreneurs (with day jobs, might I add) who were moved by the poverty and trauma inflicted by war in Southeast Asia countries, Saught’s first collection of necklaces, earrings and bangles were created using scrap metal salvaged from Cambodian land mines. The founders’ vision for this innovative project was two-fold: to create a work integration social business implemented across post-conflict countries and to create an international community of advocates who will champion for peacebuilding efforts. In other words, if you purchase and adorn yourself with one of Saught’s pieces, you’ll also be lending a hand in rebuilding a post-conflict society and spreading their message while looking oh-so-stylish at the same time. MORE »
Founded by designers of the two diverse backgrounds – Lionel Low and Hariz Lim – fashion label LION EARL is a creative fusion that challenges the boundaries of the arts and aesthetics, seeking to synthesize a new dimension bounded by art, fashion and architecture, and translating that new found dimension into genre-defying, trend-defining outfits.
Not only is Lionel Low a creative individual with a passion for fashion and the arts, he has also received prestigious awards for his works. His best achievement to date is finishing as the1st Runner up in the Inaugural Shu Uemura Design Art Competition 2008 (Asian region). That same year, Lionel interned at Kevin Seah, a fashion label for high-end wedding gowns, and worked directly with the designer himself. It was here that he was taught and eventually mastered the art of meticulous beading. He was also involved in various fashion shows, notably Singapore Fashion Week 2007 as well as Kevin Seah Wedding Shows hosted at the St. Regis and Raffles Hotel. In 2009, Lionel also had opportunity to be mentored by local designer, Nicholas Wong and was eventually offered to work as a freelance designer for the latter’s label Nicholas. Lionel also caught the attention of another international bespoke menswear label stylist, Kovit Ang for Aston Blake. It was through Kovit that Lionel was involved in the Goodrich Opening Ceremony (Plaza Singapura). In this project, Lionel conceptualised the overall womenswear and produced the pieces purely by handwork.
Hariz Lim’s passion for design started in the realm of architecture. At the age of 7, he was already observing his everyday environment and avidly putting pencil to paper. He loved drawing buildings. This ignited his obsession for buildings and architecture. More than a decade later at 23, Hariz is now pursuing his dreams of being an architect. After graduating with a Diploma in Architecture from Singapore Polytechnic, he is now one step closer to fulfilling his dreams, and is enrolled in the third year of the Bachelor of Arts (Architecture) programme at the National University of Singapore. His most recent work is the design of the Plaza Singapura showsuite and sales office, in collaboration with local firm Envelope Architects. Hariz has a diverse range of experience not only in architecture, but also in other creative fields such as fashion and graphic design. During school breaks and even whilst serving his national service, he worked as a freelance graphic designer as well as an image consultant for a photography studio. Back in school, Hariz pursued photography and even film appreciation classes. This reflects his passion for not only architecture but the creative industry in general.
Come April, LION EARL will be launching at PARCO Marina Bay, Millenia Walk. The label is also slated for the upcoming Audi Fashion Festival with PARCO next NEXT.
Noël Caleb announced Peiying Lin as winner of the Mirror Mirror On The Wall Fashion Competition, where participants were invited to design the AW 2012 Women’s collection, based on a seven days’ outfit.
Eileen Yap: “We really liked how Lin interpreted the theme and displayed contrasts through the use of colour -black and white-, the fabric -which she also took time to source- and her play on symmetry and asymmetry throughout the whole collection. We felt that she communicated the message and produced a very coherent and interesting collection which works well with what Noël Caleb stands for: a feminine look with strong silhouettes and interesting unique pieces to mix and match. Lin’s collection was also very well thought out and displayed a very creative approach to design which is exactly what we are looking for.”
Lin took weekend Fashion Design courses while working and waiting for her O levels. She attended a local tertiary arts institution, majoring with a Diploma in Fashion, but quit school shortly after that. Lin then headed to the Textile and Fashion Industry Training Centre, where she received a Diploma in Fashion Technology, Merchandising & Marketing.
About her collection: “When I think of the theme “Mirror Mirror on the Wall”, it makes me think of reflection and its elements like shadows and angles. So I interpreted my outfits with asymmetrical and symmetrical cuts and a touch of soft fabrics to soften the looks, as I want to bring out the inner strength, outer grace of a woman, in a feminine manner. There are woven and knitted fabrics for the collection as I wanted to balance up the look. I used mainly black and white, for Black symbolizes the shadow and white symbolizes the light that causes a reflection.”
Lin’s designs will be produced for the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection under the Noël Caleb label. Watch this space.
Mandy Wu opens 2012 with a new jewelry collection and a one-of-a-kind tattoo design specially created for the collection. Customers will to get wear on their skin this exclusive faux tattoo design when they make a purchase from the labelʼs new collection, The Liberated.
The unique tattoo design is a result of a collaboration between the label and Singapore-based tattoo artist, Julian Kyla Chia. Julian’s style of traditional and neo-traditional works have won him much recognition. He swears by his bold lines and even bolder colors.
“For a while now I have been wanting to thank customers and friends for supporting the label. I wanted to give something that they can flaunt and make a statement with. So I thought of skin art which is tough yet somewhat sensual at the same time, very much like our aesthetics. That eventually led to the idea of tattoos as gifts.”
MILS is a label providing alternative designer apparel for the contemporary gentleman, conceived by Sunny Lim, a local up and coming designer whose portfolio includes the 2009 Resuscitation Project and the 2008 Topshop graduate showcase.
Sunny: ” Our debut Spring/ Summer 12 collection explores asymmetrical forms, and suits that follow softly structured lines with detailed tailoring. Hermaphrodite Hindu God Shiva inspires a structured two-piece tailored suit from chambray textiles, layered with a half pant-skirt, as well as clean lines and forms in asymmetrical casual wear.”
Showcasing clean functionality and keen sensibility of the the male body, the collection carries through a sense of Spring with accents of cognac leather albeit monochromatic hues. The label also carry signature elements such as leather strap bound cuffs and collars.
“We will be collaborating with local talents from the arts scene,” Sunny continues, “and for the first short film we are featuring a Ballet Dancer who is working in Singapore. For the next short film, I’m in talks with a local band. So watch this space.”
MILS will be available at Parco Next NEXT from April 1 onwards.
Starting today we’re filling a monthly slot with a mix of eye-popping stuff from the fresh-faced talents which we featured here between 2007 and 2010, and have since blossomed into established creatives-on-the-scene.
Expect to see some stoking work put front and centre in our brandnew monthly digimag, CULTUREPULSE. So here goes the first installment. Take it away!
PS: We emailed all the peeps we featured between 2007 and 2010. Quite a number of emails bounced back. But don’t fret, you can always email michele@culturepush.com if you want to be part of our retrospective.
When we fall into an overly structured, predictable and unchangeable system, we create artificial playgrounds to keep ourselves entertained. Much like installing a luxurious home-entertainment theatre with a huge velvet upholstered sofa inside a 1-room HDB flat. How do we make sense of things when there is constant displacement of logic and information? How much absurdity needs to be introduced to upset the social norm? a LIFE performance deconstructs snippets of life encounters in an artificially constructed world. Choreographer and performer Joavien Ng mischievously attempts to disrupt and alter the constructions of meanings, creating bodies that move between recognisable familiarity and disconnected awkwardness. Gradually, the performance morphs into an incoherent soup of landscapes and meanings, teasing audiences into disorientation. 10 – 12 May, 8pm Esplanade Theatre Studio. Click here for tickets.
Nine handpicked strangers. Nine individual and completely different ideas. Four and a half days to crank the concepts out. This is Shooting Home 2012. Held by Objectifs—a visual arts centre in Singapore that focuses on photography and film—Shooting Home is an annual photography mentorship programme that targets at the most talented emerging photographers on the island. Using 'shooting home' as the central theme, the nine handpicked participants are encouraged to draw and explore ideas from their existing environment. Within the structured four and a half intensive workshop days, participants get to translate that one idea into personal creations which culminates in an exhibition at the end of the programme. A reunion show will be expected a year later.This year's mentors for Shooting Home include some of Singapore's top photographers, artists and curators—Bryan van der Beek, Chris Yap, Darren Soh, Emmeline Yong, Ernest Goh, Genevieve Chua and Shirlene Noordin. Guest speakers include Wesley Loh and Tay Kay Chin. 10 May-2 June at Objectifs Gallery.
When we fall into an overly structured, predictable and unchangeable system, we create artificial playgrounds to keep ourselves entertained. Much like installing a luxurious home-entertainment theatre with a huge velvet-upholstered sofa inside a 1-room HDB flat. How do we make sense of things when there is constant displacement of logic and information? How much absurdity needs to be introduced to upset the social norm? a LIFE performance deconstructs snippets of life encounters in an artificially constructed world. Choreographer and performer Joavien Ng mischievously attempts to disrupt and alter the constructions of meanings, creating bodies that move between recognisable familiarity and disconnected awkwardness. Gradually, the performance morphs into an incoherent soup of landscapes and meanings, teasing audiences into disorientation. 10 – 12 May, 8pm at Esplanade Theatre Studio. Click here for details.
Come Away With Me starts as a persuasion to experience the range of works made by the graduating MA Fine Arts candidates of 2012. Working within the studios at LASALLE College of the Arts, this final exhibition showcases the different concerns in contemporary art practice that each candidate brings to the programme. Spanning the duration of 48 weeks, the programme seeks to encourage a broad range of disciplines and research interests that are explored, articulated and challenged in both areas of studio work and dissertation writing. Walk with them, take a chance. Exhibiting Artists : Ayano Hattori , Baktiar Zainol , Carolyn Law , Donna Ong , Madhura Nayak , Moe Htet Htet , Nah Yong En , Ng Yong Heng. 3-15 May a the ICA Gallery 1, LASALLE College of the Arts.
On 28 April, Singaporeans will have an opportunity to refresh their bookshelves at the Book Exchange 2012 by exchanging what they have read with others. Organised by the National Library Board (NLB) and held in conjunction with World Book and Copyright Day, this initiative promotes a self-sustaining reading and learning culture in Singapore. This year, more than 7,000 people are expected to participate in the Book Exchange. So far, over 47,000 books have been dropped off during the book collection period. More books will be expected this week.Local celebrity, children’s author and NLB’s reading ambassador, Mr Edmund Chen, will be at the event to encourage participants to read more books and give away signed copies of his book “Dino Rulez” to the first 50 participants. 28 April, 8.30am at the National Library Building, The Plaza, Level 1.
What makes us call a place our home? Houses are distinct geographical places; a roof above our heads. The allegorical definition of a roof is a shelter, something that protects us and keeps us safe in. It is when we search for a place of comfort and familiarity or attempt to form new meanings and memories of a place that would eventually lead us home. This search for a home is often transitory and transient. Shifting Homes looks at different artists’ perspectives of home. Abstract paintings that appear as boundless landscapes describe these no-where spaces as we try to search for a place to belong. Photographs of concealed spaces that one could make out as skeletons of buildings hold possibilities and dormant memories of a potential home. From whimsical sketches of a travelling mind, dealing with real and imagined spaces that are no less tangible, to an almost voyeuristic documentation of the physical memories of strangers’ homes, this exhibition dwells on the ideas and definitions of home, and perhaps, this delineates our journey towards home. Featuring: Huang Mingrong, Jason Lee, Kathlyn Loke Yi, Natalia Ludmila, Cherie Tan and Yaohui. Curated by Lee Shuxian. 27 April - 25 May at 5footway, 8 Aliwal Street.
Lucid Dreams in the Reverie of the Real is an exhibition of works by Lee Wen, a multidisciplinary artist and one of Singapore’s most internationally recognised contemporary artists. His earliest known work in a book entitled A Waking Dream (1981) with texts and drawings preceded the manga generation of today and showed evidence of his inclination in using dreams, metaphor and myth-making to manifest a narrative of our perception of life and reality. Best known for his Yellow Man series of work, Lee is also one of the Singapore artists who pioneered in the field of performance art. Through various constructed personas, his work allow visitors an insight into the artist and provocateur, whose very being is motivated by a strong conviction of justice and idealism, with a persistence to stay true to the self in a highly structured world. In this exhibition, Lee will be presenting key works spanning two-and-a-half decades alongside more recent ones. The vast selection includes installations, photographs, videos and documentations. Lee will also perform ‘live’ during selected exhibition periods and talk about his experiences and personal development as an artist, covering subjects such as memories and myth-making. 20 April to 10 June at Singapore Art Museum.
