The New Guard: Harper ’s BAZAAR NewGen Award 2023 Finalists On Their Design Journey Ahead
The six finalists share their process, aesthetic and vision.
2023 marked the 10th year of the Harper’s BAZAAR NewGen Fashion Award: a decade of empowering and celebrating rising talent, and unleashing their potential in the fashion industry. We gather the six finalists as they share their process, aesthetic and vision—both for their collections and their design journey ahead.
Winner Lim Su Hui with models wearing designs from her collection ‘Homeland’
Related article: Inside The Star-Studded Harper’s BAZAAR NewGen Award 2023 Show
Winner: Lim Su Hui
“The realisation that I had an opportunity to launch my brand, and hearing my name announced as the winner was a surreal moment. Knowing that I can continue to learn what I enjoy in a completely new environment outside of Singapore excites me—it’s also a space for me to be mentored through a different lens, and to embrace independence abroad.”
Related article: Harper’s BAZAAR NewGen Award 2022 Winner Serina Lee On Life At Istituto Marangoni London
Verina Lie
“This experience has taught me to work hard and always stay true to myself… all that while taking into account the advice given, and knowing that every moment counts.”
Feliony Faustine
“My biggest challenge was deciding which aspect of the collection I would like to expand on as there was so much potential! I incorporated sustainability as a key point by upcycling thrifted items, and it expanded from there, further emphasising my message of ‘Style Unbound’—where the clothes are inherently genderless.”
Related article: Harper’s BAZAAR NewGen Award 2023: Meet The 6 Finalists
Leong Jia Yin
“While my final collection did convey the essence I envisioned, I recognised a potential for enhancement. It could have been more impactful by delving further into textile experimentation to heighten the sensory impact of the garments, thus strengthening the collection’s ability to evoke a deeper connection with its audience. Nonetheless, I am proud of what I’ve created.”
To Guan Yu
“‘Every designer needs a second pair of eyes’, was something that a mentor said that stuck with me throughout. As creatives we often get fixated and operate with tunnel vision on a theme or subject. Experiment. Explore. Be bold.”
Alison Oh
“Being part of BAZAAR NewGen has taught me the depth of my creative capabilities and resilience. It highlighted my ability to innovate under pressure and reinforced my passion for pushing artistic boundaries. The experience affirmed my dedication to continuous growth and learning in the dynamic world of fashion.”
Photographer: Lawrence Teo
Stylist: Gracia Phang
Hair: Yuhi Kim using DunGüd Singapore and Woorailoora
Makeup: Keith Bryant Lee and Wee Ming, both using Chanel Beauty
Talents: Liang Man Yuan; Spencer Lee/Mannequin, Aslesha Williams/AVE Management
Stylist’s assistant: Joelle Iong