SPH Magazines’ Director of Marketing & Circulation Lin Shaomei started off the morning by going through the fundamentals of building a business plan and stressed the importance of having a plan in place.

From an educator, fashion label designer, multi-brand merchandiser to business owner, Sylvia Lim of Triologie shares personal takeaways on how to create and manage a fashion brand. Sylvia is also a trainer at TaF.tc.

Related article: Where Are They Now? We Catch Up With The BAZAAR NewGen Finalists

Following which, Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore’s Executive Editor Charmaine Ho gave the finalists a primer on approaching the media and getting their brands noticed by the press.

Equipped with extensive and expansive sourcing knowledge for apparel and soft lines, Andy Naraindas, Senior Director at Zalora Group gave insight to the workings of an e-commerce giant to the finalists.

Related article: Senior Fashion Editor Windy Aulia’s Photo Diary of the BAZAAR NEWGEN 2017 Show

And Zalora’s Group Director of Public Relations & Social Media Christopher Daguimol also shared his views on the importance of leveraging on the right social media channels for a young business.

Next, Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore’s Associate Digital Editor Pakkee Tan told the finalists how to craft a presence on social media and strategies and tactics to grow their audience online.

Annmarie Harris, Director of Swarovski’s Corporate Branding & Communications shares about Swarovski’s history, its support of young designers in the industry and the growing importance of conscious design in fashion.

Related article: Backstage at the BAZAAR NEWGEN 2017 Runway Show

Benedicta Citro, Swarovski Senior design manager presents the brand’s impressive crystal collections to the finalists. New and upcycled crystals will be made available to our top two finalists for application on their runway pieces for the competition.

With help from CRIB, we got in Albert Shyy, Head of Burda Principal Investment’s Singapore office to tell us what investors look out for in a business, and how to secure funding for their label.

Our six finalists at the end of a very fruitful day at the Swarovski office.

The Harper’s BAZAAR Asia New Generation Fashion Award 2018 is held in collaboration with Swarovski