This video has been making the rounds since April with great force and for good reason. I’m sure that many of you will already be familiar with Kevin Lester’s “Rockstar” video, a collaboration with freelance videographer Yadin Mohamed and vocal scratcher Eric Foenander.  For this side project -the online free for download album “Let’s talk about Kevin Lester”- the 25-year-old rapper, songwriter and producer collaborated with local videographers and animators to challenge himself and the scene.

Kevin started out in 2002 at “Platform 2”. It was at this open mic that he enjoyed positive reviews and numerous call backs. He continued to create a buzz and scored a featuring role in local sensation, TripleNoize’ s second album; Noisy Fm.

In 2005 he joined “Bonafide Vintage Flav’r” and had commercial as well as critical success with the release of the e.p. “The BVF Project” featuring the number 1 radio hit “Feels Good”.  The group has since disbanded but Kevin took this opportunity to fulfil a career long dream. He helped form SIXX, a hip hop band played with live instruments.

The  free for download album will be soon available from facebook and myspace. Until then, enjoy the Rockstar video and soak up the Kevin Lester vibe.

Here’s a great opportunity for young designers to sink their teeth into some socially beneficial design work under supervision of experienced mentors in the industry.

The Designers Association Singapore (DAS) Young Designers is organizing a design workshop and mentorship programme. In teams of 2-5 members, participants will work with graphic design, illustration, photography and interactive design professionals in a series of talks and consultation sessions to craft a fresh and innovative campaign for NGOs. The workshop is open to young designers under 28, from every discipline.

You should apply because:

1. It’s an intense design education experience with an awesome line of speakers you really want to meet.
2. You’ll be working to create campaigns for great NGOs in Singapore.
3. You might just qualify for the mentorship programme, which includes a grant to actually execute the campaign, and of course with your mentor who may be…
4. Steve Lawler (Kult), Juggi Ramakrishnan (ACRES/Ogilvy) and Victor (Trine Design Associates). Awesome companies.

//Guest speakers & consultants
Alvin Wong Twei, Kult
Kun, Make Studios
Larry Peh, &larry
Skan, Storm Lion
Victor, Trine Design Associates
Wil Kolen, Chemistry

//Partnering NGOs
ACRES
H.O.M.E
WINGS

Applications close 18th May, so don’t delay. For more information, check out the Facebook page.

The Noise Apprenticeship Program in 2009 first introduced Clarence Lam to photography, when he was mentored by photographer, Tan Kheng Ju to produce a series of work for the Gallery Hotel.

Clarence has always been passionate about the arts, and he brought his background as a designer and a dancer into his photographs. In his work, Clarence places great emphasis on art direction, together with the use of color and lighting, to bring out the aesthetics. “I immediately fell in love with dance photography when I came across the work of renowned dance photographers  Lois Greenfield and Tan Ngiap Heng,” he explains. “I hope to carry on what they have started in the world of dance photography.”

Currently pursuing a BFA in Photography and Digital Imaging at the NTU School of Art, Design and Media, Clarence is working on several projects exploring the key ideas of dance. “Most of my works are focused on the exploration of dance in photography, as well as the various emotions experienced by a dancer. However, I prefer to use or even create an environment that goes beyond the stage.” he adds. “In that process, I attempt to introduce elements of the bizarre and the surreal, and also explore the other relationships in dance, apart from the ones we see in a performance.”

Vue Privée is a new gallery space on this island, dedicated to the world of fine art photography. Founded by established photographer Olivier Henry, the gallery exists to redefine and democratize the world of fine art photography through exhibitions, education platforms and art consultancy services.

Technicolor Japan marks Vue Privée’s inaugural exhibition. Aimed at capturing the elegance of Old Japan, seen through the lens of photographers living and working during the late Edo period (1972 – 1912), the exhibition also see local delights put their own spin on these 19th century images. Coming from distinctively different practices, they include: Justin Lee, Jamie Paul, Craig Redman, Steve Lawler and Fleecircus.

Exhibition starts from 14th May 2010 – 4 July 2010, at 20 Cairnhill Road.

28 April saw twelve fashion students showcasing their lingerie designs for this year’s Triumph Inspiration Awards. By interpreting the design theme of “Shape Sensation”, the students competed for the honour of representing Singapore at the Triumph Inspiration Awards Final held in London in September this year.

Grace Eliana Sugiarto, 22, from Raffles Design Institute was crowned as the winner, wowing the judges with her concept titled “Preserved Beauty”.

Grace about her piece: “I was deeply inspired by Pharaoh Hatshepsu, the first woman to rule Egypt as Pharaoh for more than 20 year; She brought much prosperity, wealth and peace in her time. Although she has lived thousands years ago, she would be rocking the lingerie in the other world as the bodysuit is inspired by the wrapping method of mummification using nude colored stockings instead of linen bandages.”

Click to ogle the other designs in the competition.

Images  from Alicia’s latest lookbook, ‘In Love With A Girl’.

Our pick from the recent Blueprint 2010 tradeshow, is local designer Alicia Ong. Born in 1983, Alicia began her career in fashion in 2005, with an internship at Marc by Marc Jacobs while studying at Parsons School of Design. After graduation, Alicia spent almost two years working for fashion houses J Crew, DKNY and Richard Chai.

Following her return to Singapore in 2008, she pursued freelance work with local designer Wykidd Song. Her creative flair and independent nature led to the foundation of AL&ALICIA.

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Prior to the pursuit of a BFA (photography) in the School of Art, Design & Media, Nanyang Technological University, Poh Ling studied painting in Nanyang Junior College’s Art Elective Program. “I enjoy the realism both media can provide, but I am now working primarily with photography as I love the immediacy it can create,” she adds.

Poh Ling wants to share her views and the nuances of life she sees, with others, especially Singaporeans, and her observation is often quirky. With her versatility in different media, Poh Ling aims to use new and interactive media to engage the new generation in art.

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I spotted these customs on the Royalefam website and thought they were pretty rad. But it wasn’t until I learned a bit more about the designer that I really understood how cool they were.

Ivan Timothy Prasetya aka PRAS has been training under the SBTG academy for the past five months, learning the ropes of professional sneaker customization. “I started my internship in 2009, right after my NS, which also explains why most of my sneakers have some serious army/military action.”

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