Judges Kenneth Goh, Lai Chan And Windy Aulia Look Back On A Decade Of NewGen

Harper's BAZAAR Singapore has always been devoted to championing the next generation of fashion design talent. And at the heart of that mission is the Harper's BAZAAR NewGen Award. Created to discover, nurture, and support emerging designers, the annual competition has become an invaluable platform for final year students pursuing their studies in the field of fashion, with a blend of creativity and commerciality unique to Singapore and the region.

The NewGen initiative was launched in 2013 by Kenneth Goh, Editor-in-Chief of Harper's BAZAAR Singapore; Wannaporn ‘Duang’ Poshyanonda, then Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s BAZAAR Thailand; and Ria Lirungan, Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s BAZAAR Indonesia, together with Istituto Marangoni. "We invited editors and editions from [the region] to participate," says Goh. "We found so many winners from all across Asia and they found such wonderful opportunities to showcase their work."

Returning judge, Singaporean couturier Lai Chan, adds, "The point is to find designers who are talented and can be better, who not only look to the future but are also rooted in their culture and heritage. It's important to be passionate and persevere. Designers should be honest, stay true to their style, and be themselves."

Related article: Relive The Magic Of Harper’s BAZAAR Asia NewGen Fashion Award’s Star-Studded Show

While every iteration of NewGen has been a key moment in the fashion calendar for aspiring designers, the 2023 edition marks a significant milestone for this publication—it's our 10th anniversary! As Goh puts it, it's been "a decade of style, a decade of hard work, a decade of incredible students and talent."

Read on to find out more about the key moments and highlights through the years, and watch this space as we take you behind the scenes for the first time ever with a special mini-series titled A Decade of NewGen.

2013/2014

WINNER: Harvee Kok (Malaysia)

THE COLLECTION: Kok’s “Bipolarity” collection referenced the Chinese strategic board game Weiqi by using black and white to depict the theory of Yin and Yang and incorporating elements to resemble a checkerboard.

THE FINALISTS: Eight regional and local finalists from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand—Peggy Hartanto, Teresa Lim, Sheila Agatha Wijaya, Yahn Adam, Jatupong Metula, Harvee Kok, Wiruwan Nhuyung and Sean Loh.

2015

WINNER: Silvia Teh (Singapore)

THE COLLECTION: Teh presented a collection that drew references from Japanese art forms and Javanese culture, fashioned into nipped waists accentuated by obi-inspired belts, an elegant bow perched on top a sleek black top and dramatic skirts. She also layered gossamer organza over printed fabrics for a stunning holographic effect.

THE FINALISTS: Audrey and Cynthia (Indonesia); Alwyn and Evelyn (Malaysia); Lionel Low and Silvia Teh (Singapore); Rukpong And Siripim (Thailand); Hong Lam and Chan Hung (Vietnam)

HIGHLIGHTS: An installation featuring the local 3 designers’ (including second runner-up Benjamin Neo) collections was showcased at Scotts Square. The regional finalists presented their works on the runway during Singapore Fashion Week.

2016

WINNER: William Utama (Indonesia)

THE COLLECTION: Utama’s street-infused collection as well as bold textile manipulation techniques convinced the judges that he was most worthy of being crowned champion.

THE FINALISTS: Wiliam Utama and Wilsen Willim (Indonesia); Aaron Yong and Junn Tan (Malaysia); Fedri Mak and Ng May Ee (Singapore); Seksit Perkchinnaworn and Jirawat Thamrongkittikul (Thailand)

HIGHLIGHTS: Local judging winner Mak and runner-up Ng were fêted with a stylish party at Scotts Square, where special invitees got to view their collections in an exhibition inaugurated by global influencer Nicole Warne and Goh. The finale show was held at National Gallery during Singapore Fashion Week.

2017

WINNER: Phua Chun Huen (Singapore)

THE COLLECTION: A sophisticated collection that showed denim in a new light through innovative fabric manipulation, sharp tailoring and modern silhouettes. Phua's beautiful designs came backed with a sound business plan.

THE FINALISTS: Alifia Maqnuun and Michelle Tjong (Indonesia); Theeratat Thaninbenjakul and Wivat Khamgat (Thailand); Phua Chun Huen and Joanna Lim (Singapore)

HIGHLIGHTS: The finale show was held at the National Gallery Singapore during Singapore Fashion Week 2017 with the fashion crowd in attendance, including Nicole Warne who flew in specially to lend her support.

2018

WINNER: Andrew Low (Singapore)

THE COLLECTION: Low showed a collection that mixed utilitarian codes, tailoring and a smorgasbord of prints and patterns.

THE FINALISTS: Gaurav Singh and Robin Roy (India); Andandika Surasetja and Frederika Cynthia Dewi (Indonesia); Andrew Low and Julian Cheong (Singapore); Thammachat Choksan and Pongsakorn Sriya (Thailand)

HIGHLIGHTS: The finale show took place at the Capitol Theatre and it was an evening filled with fashion, glamour and even a surprise performance by RuPaul’s Drag Race favourite, Detox.

2019

WINNER: Kelly Vallerie (Indonesia)

THE COLLECTION: Vallerie presented a transformative collection comprising asymmetric, deconstructed pieces that can be separated and combined to form multi-functional garments.

THE FINALISTS: Dea Yuliana and Kelly Vallerie (Indonesia); Rena Kok and Zoey Zhao (Singapore); Pornchanok Rittikong and Boonsong Thaodee (Thailand); Hoang Minh Ha and Le Hoang Son (Vietnam)

HIGHLIGHTS: Finalists had the privilege of getting insights into the industry during a one-day workshop with Debra Langley (venture partner with Start Today Ventures), Marco Ferrari (Zalora’s category manger), Stefanie Block (Zalora’s director of buying), Phuay Li Ying (Ying The Label), Harper's BAZAAR Singapore Creative Director Windy Aulia, Yoyo Cao (fashion entrepreneur and social media mogul); as well as India Plumbly (head of atelier) and Ng Yu Ting (senior fashion executive) from Swarovski.

Our special guest performer Narelle Kheng opened the show by debuting her latest song “Blue”, followed by brother and former bandmate Benjamin Kheng, who also premiered his newest song “Wicked”. The duo ended the fashion show with their rendition of Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop The Feeling“.

2020

A special 2020 edition of the Harper’s BAZAAR Asia NewGen Award, titled “A New Slate”, was launched during the pandemic. Silvia Teh (left) and Rena Kok (right)—past winners of the Harper’s BAZAAR Asia NewGen Fashion Award—worked on a capsule collection of four full looks.

Teh and Kok spent three months working on a capsule collection under the guidance of Goh, Aulia, and then Executive Editor Charmaine Ho. The collections were sold exclusively online at One Orchard Store and then at Design Orchard.

2021

WINNER: Justin Chua (Singapore)

THE COLLECTION: Chua impressed with a two‐piece nylon and taffeta ensemble with transformative aspects: A zippered dress that can be converted into a top and a skirt, and a cropped jacket that can be turned into a bag. 

THE FINALISTS: Justin Chua, Wiyah Ismail, Irene Calista Wiratma, Sheree Toh, Mia Zhang

HIGHLIGHTS: Due to travel restrictions, the 2021 edition was a Singapore-only affair. The finalists, all from LASALLE College of the Arts, were shortlisted on the strength of their graduate collections, before creating an exclusive one-off look for the Award. Instead of a grand finale, a series of intimate presentations were held, in which contestants presented a single look that encapsulated their vision. The winner announcement was made at Design Orchard after a five-month-long journey.

2022

WINNER: Serina Lee (Singapore)

THE COLLECTION: A serene, picturesque blend of age-old traditions and cutting-edge modernity. Lee's starting point was the ancient art of Chinese painting and calligraphy, though her approach was rooted in the design language of the present, and even the future—via a venture into the metaverse. She also translated her textile art into 3D digital graphics, which can be bought as NFTs; and then there are the digital filters that animate the physical prints when applied to the garments.

THE FINALISTS: Serina Lee, Joe Kean, Sit Shi Jie, Faith Lois Seet Fae, Arthur Chong and Choi Nakyeong

HIGHLIGHTS: The 2022 iteration marked a return to the runway where we could fully celebrate the fruits of the designers’ seven-month NewGen journey in front of top industry leaders, celebrities and other esteemed guests. That included Thai actor Nattawin Wattanagitiphat (better known as Apo to his fans), Singaporean actors such as Ayden Sng and Carrie Wong, and TikTok stars David Eung Hao, David Matthew Ubaña and Raynold Tan.