Singapore Fashion Week 2013: Days 6 & 7 – Asian Couture
updated the 7 October 2015 à 00:07
The second week of FIDé Fashion Weeks 2013 edition starts with a bang by inaugurating the Asian Couture Federation and unveiling the first Asian Couture shows.
With the inauguration of the Asian Couture Federation (ACF), the second part of Singapore Fashion Week 2013 has undoubtedly reached the juiciest part of its 11 day run.
The fun started on Monday with a gala event which officially announced ACF with all its first 10 members present. To top it off the guests were treated to a special show by French couturier Stephane Rolland (read our interview with him here).
It was that spectacular show which marked the official start of the Asian Couture shows. Each and every one showcasing exactly why and for whom this federation was conceived.
Rolling onto Tuesday, the couture kept coming courtesy of a show with South Korean designer Lie Sang Bong. Monochromes dominated most of the collection. The repetition of a stylised flower was introduced on each piece, either as cut-outs on skirts and dresses, or on prints, embroidered on chiffon, disguised as sunglasses; but the most admirable metamorphosis of the flower was above fascinating gowns as disassembled on fabric, in a 3D decomposition to inconspicuously shelter the chest.
These intricate evening dresses and ball gowns are our favourites from the collection, together with the colourful prints and the bright-pink insole shoes, in black PVC.
Indonesian-born Sebastian Gunawan presented a heavily British-inspired collection which was backed by a wholly British soundtrack. At the tunes of “God Save the Queen” from the more traditional hymn to the sound of clash and punk-rock, Sebastian Gunawan’s SS14 collection started with bright blues embroidered in gold and closed with silver embroidery, beads, gowns and glitter.
Closing the first day of Asian Couture was Japanese designer Yumi Katsura. Wearable dresses opened her runway and slowly progressed into more elaborate tailoring, materials, pit-stopping on traditional Japanese wedding attires and finally landing home at the designer’s playground: western bridals.
Yumi Katsura, who embarked her prolific career with the first bridal dresses salon in Japan, back in 1964, is still re-inventing the wedding gown by introducing different materials and experimenting with new cuts and concepts.
Lilyth Compostella
Photos: FIDé Fashion Weeks
Singapore Fashion Week (organised by FIDé Fashion Weeks) is taking place at Marina Bay Sands The Shoppes, until the 19th of October. For more information about the event, click here.
*More Singapore Fashion Week coverage: Pret-a-porter, Menswear, Japanese fashion, Asian Couture 2, French Couture, Closing shows.
