Raffles Design Insitute Graduation Show DEC. '08 (Update: Better video quality and more pictures)

!UPDATES!: Added a little more pictures and more comments (in italics) to the photographs shown.

Raffles Design Institute showcased the works from more than 20 graduates from B(A) Honours in Fashion Design on Wednesday at the Ritz Carlton, Singapore.

In my opinion, going to school is the only time were one get to experiment and make a huge impression to the industry. From my observations, most of the collections were mostly dark in terms of colour scheme (some were way too dark!) and the themes were mostly psychological, a little ethnic or historical. Perhaps it's because it's the 'Winter' period, I'm not sure...

Many of the collection impressed me nevertheless. Here are some pictures some taken on my own (unfortunately, my pictures are a little 'old school' as I had no choice but to use a disposable camera) and some pictures which I found from other sources (which I believe might be better than mine) for the exhibition and fashion show.

I've compiled a video which was taken from my camera to get the feel of the show. Cramming 24 collections in a video was hard, so I just selected a few. The video quality isn't as good as I wanted it to be since it was taken from my phone (hence the reason why I made the video look like an old film!).

Meanwhile, enjoy the visuals...

Exhibition:Ideal shop display from the Fashion Merchandising students...
Streetwear?

One of the lamp shades shown in the exhibition.
Hmmm, so this is what I should do with my old sunglasses... A way to go green I suppose!


Display board...a little preview on what the graduating class were presenting for the fashion show.
Very promising...

Going psychedelic!!!


Drawing done by Shannon Lee.
Love, LOVE (!!!) the drawing...it's actually two layers....it's drawn by a piece of tracing paper and underneath is a printed copy of the drawing with a background.


Fashion Show:


Video Compilation
Been trying to upload a better quality on Youtube...hope this works!

Designer: Leslie Yong
Title of collection: 'Message From Unknown'
Comment: Impressed by the collection. There was one outfit (that will be shown on the scanned in version next time) which was embellished by safety pins and I must say...'This is NOT new!'. At least it was done nicely and not clustered! Impressive array of outfits shown and the only thing that will stick in my mind is the masked male figure as shown above.

Designer: Shannon Lee
Title of collection: 'The Anomalies: Mr. and Ms. Anonymous'
Comment: At first, I was really worried about the colour scheme when this collection came out. However, I was won over by the orange jacket which suddenly popped out in the line up. If it was not for that orange jacket, it could have been lost. I did mention that there were too many hoods in this collection but who am I to be picky over such things since I like hoods as well?! This collection has been well thought out. I would have liked to have seen the accessories up-close though...


Designer: Joyce Wong
Title of collection: 'When Fashion Meets Architecture'
Comment: The person who saw the title of this collection on the brochure got excited when seeing the title. However, upon seeing the pictures of the garments, well let's just say that person was pretty disappointed...and that person's an architect! Personally, I think there is not much relevance to these two connection but person could say the lines on the first dress? Can I say that?


Designer: Stephanie Emmanuel Puteri Subagyo
Title of collection: 'African Art Conceals and Reveals'
Comment: Love the draped dress and the way the prints fell in place in the outfit (even though I am NOT a big fan of animal prints!). However, I've seen this concept done many times though I won't say it's a huge crime since there are many ways to go around dealing with any African theme.


Designer: Yang Jing
Title of collection: 'Walking on the Moon'
Comment: Interesting backpack! (Well at least that's what I think it is!)


Designer: Anny Theresia
Title of collection: 'The Exotic of Sardanapalus'
Comment: Honestly, I only remember this outfit out of the whole collection. Even though this silhouette has been done so many times, I still like it! The brochure pictures is much better though!

Designer: Xia Mai Xena
Title of collection: 'The Scream for Alfred Hitchcock'
Comment: Hard for me to comment...I guess these two outfits are the most memorable out of the collection. I would like to have a vest like that though. Amazing how a vest can make an outfit look a bit smarter looking.


Designer: Risma Novianti
Title of collection: 'Black Iris'
Comment: Apologies to the designer, I only remember this outfit perhaps it was because everyone had to sit through many minutes seeing over 20 collections (in around two hours!). I wish we could wear hats like this in Singapore without being stared at like an idiot. I bet I can get away with that in Europe...I think...


Designer: Aven Kee Ai Wei
Title of collection: 'Self Re-Invention, Obsession of Beauty + Lack of Self Confidence = Plastic Surgery'
Comment: What a long title for the concept!!! I wish I had a closer shot of the dress (worn by the blond model) that was partially made out of plastic. I remember doing a concept similar to this many years ago and it was not successful at all! This is quite a successful collection with the concept although a bit more colour would have been great. A splash of red (I don't mean to literately represent surgery!) would be great. Great construction on the garments.

To the graduates of 2008, congratulations!

PS. Once I get a new scanner (mine broke down mysteriously...), I will post more pictures from the brochure for the show.

Featuring: Wallace and Gromit sports designer looks!

Yup, indeed, as the headline mentioned, Aardman's Wallace and Gromit are in designer wear...for the poster campaign for UK's Harvey Nichols. The campaign is to promote the opening for the branch in Bristol. The advertising campaign is created by DDB London with photography by Giles Revell.

Wallace is styled in Paul Smith while Gromit wears a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses and purple silk scarf by Duchamp


Lady Tottington is styled in Alexander McQueen, Christian Louboutin (love the shoes!) and Zagliani.

Wallace is styled in Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana and Giorgio Armani while Gromit wears navy silk Paul Smith scarf.


Making of the Campaign



Now who would have thought they would sport a sharper look?

Resource: Creative Review (http://www.creativereview.co.uk/crblog/wallace-gromit-model-for-harvey-nics/)

Everyone’s talking about H&M...

There are many other websites mentioning about the collaboration with H&M and Comme des Garcon since April.

Here is a little gist. This fall (November 2008), the Comme des Garcon line will join the list of past contributing collaborators such as Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Victor and Rolf. The Comme des Garcon collection will release to the public limited to certain cities.

I doubt I have to elaborate any further…as many other great websites have already mentioned about the arrival of the collection. Here are a few website to mention:

That's Chic: Raych’s has her personal observations about the collection that contains the photos that has leaked out. http://thatschic.blogspot.com/2008/08/collaboration-between-h-and-cdg.html

Fastionista: The sneak peek from ‘W’ magazine (issue will be out on the 19th of August (in the US) with comments from designer Rei Kawakubo. http://fashionista.com/2008/08/comme_for_hm_-_a_sneak_peak.php

Selectism.com: The website provides better views (or for my case better loading time) of the garments. http://www.selectism.com/posts/archive/2008/august/15/comme_des_garcon_for_hm/index.htm

Respectfully Yours: Some opinion about what is seen from the photo leaks of the H&M collection wondering: ‘when looking at comme de garcons' fall 2008 ready-to-wear, i can't help but wonder - what happened?’ http://ryours.blogspot.com/2008/08/comme-de-garcons-for-h.html

Style Bubble: Some comment and what outfit Susie has her eyes on. http://stylebubble.typepad.com/style_bubble/2008/08/you-go-away-for.html


What's my opinion?

I’m a little skeptical about this men’s wear outfit…is it just me or does this look like it came from a sleep wear set?

The styling element of this ensemble catches my eyes. At least the polka dots aren’t as dull as the men’s ensemble mentioned. Perhaps I like it because of the way the scarf is tied around the neck.

I have my eyes on these two jackets. I like the way the shapes and asymmetrical proportion is played around (left) and the placement of the zip (right). However I’m pretty sure I will not be able to get it since there is no H&M in Singapore. Oh well… wishful thinking! Ha ha!

Yves Saint Laurent: Will always be remembered...

It's normally difficult to write about the loss of anybody. It's a sensitive issue but I felt I should mention about one of the most influental design of all times; Yves Henri Donat Mathieu Saint Laurent.

I’m sure there are news headlines mentioning about the loss of the designer of the era, Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008). Sometimes, it’s peculiar how such a lost can have an impact in our minds. However, for me, this instance, I would try to recall how I knew the name the first time.

One day, four years ago, I was researching on ‘The New Look’ by Christian Dior. How is this relevant to Yves Saint Laurent you ask…? Well simply put, it was right next to the page of Dior. Of course, that’s not all of it! I read more and found out that 17 year old Yves Saint Laurent worked for Dior (I kept reading on although it wasn’t part of my research). After Dior's death in 1957, Yves, at the age of 21, was in charge of the saving the Dior house from financial ruin. He retained the shape and the same exquisite fabrics which was the identity of Dior. Also, he made them softer, lighter and easier to wear which the public appreciated. Fast forward to 1962, after bringing Dior to success once again and in the wake of his shock from serving the army, he opened his own label called ‘YSL’.

Yves Saint Laurent during his early days of fashion:

Source: 'The Strait Times: Life; June 3, 2008' (Singapore newspaper)

I found this documentary on YouTube on the year (1962) he began his own line.

This loss of Yves Saint Laurent reminded me of last year's loss of the Italian designer. This was Gianfranco Ferre, known as "the architect of fashion" for his educational background and his original attitude towards fashion. Both worked towards the sucess of Dior during different eras.

A quote from Yves Saint Laurent which is fixed in my mind: “Fashion fades. Style is eternal.”

Indeed it does...

Observation: Sex and the City

I admit, I really like the television series, Sex and the City. The is THE SHOW where you can see clothing from various designers like Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Gucci, Prada....the list is endless. Everyone knows that it was the shoe where the public began to appreciate shoes from Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blanik and Jimmy Choo.


I find myself really fasinated with the garments which are featured in both the shoes and the movie (which I have to admit, I watched it twice :P)


Fans of the show or other fashionista who 'borrow ideas' from the shows often long for the items featured in the show. I find myself going on ebay typing in 'Manolo Blanik', 'Gucci', Vivienne Westwood' and 'Sex and the City' after watching some of their episodes. Sometimes I feel like getting these things.


Weeks (or maybe one or two months) before the movie premiered, there are articles that have been featuring the clothes from the movie. I find it really clever when there are magazine ariticles which runs about how to be stylish like the characters, Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha on a budget (and believe me, I have some articles in various magazines I have encountered which would be too much to put in this blog!).

This was something I recieved from ASOS newsletter recently (I find it tempting to purchase their stuff but I feel it's kind of silly to purchase such thing since shipping is super expensive to my country!) on how to replicate the style of Carrie Bradsaw from the movie.



ASOS Newsletter (Click for a better view)


Many of us would know that 'Sex and the City' tours in New York are being set up by tour agencies just to get the experience. I liked this article from 8 Days.

(Click and read the article.... Prices quoted in Singapore dollars (as I assume). I feel tempted to try the hotel stay at The Berkley, Knightsbridge and can't help feeling a little sorry for the person who got duped for one particular tour. However, it seemed too good to be true and won't even bother trying to pay for such a thing!)

Anyway, here's one of the outfit I loved in the movie (as I like this particular designer!):

The Vivienne Westwood wedding dress! I'm not too hot on the feathers (actually more than that which you will find out in the movie) on the head. Apparently, it was a decision between Zac Posen and Vivienne Westwood for the wedding dress selection.... (read it on http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/lifestyle-fashion/stylenews/satc-4873.html)

A bit of a contrast to Dita Von Tesse's wedding dress (also designed by Vivienne Westwood) isn't it? I love this dress as well!


If I was a crazy fan, I would probably be moving to New York and try living in their own shoes this instant (and I am not that big of a fan)...