Who is Grace Ling? Well, she’s Manhattan-based Singaporean fashion designer—and alum of Central Saint Martins and Parsons School of Design—who’s known for sophisticated tailoring and witty designs.
When asked to describe her style, Ling once said in an interview that it’s “a sense of eccentric elegance and intelligent femininity. Absurdist yet sophisticated. I love things that are timeless yet have a unique edge.”
Read on to find out 5 other little-known facts of Singapore’s latest rising star.
Ling’s time in one of the world’s most renowned academic institutions for design opened doors for her designing for Thom Browne and the the Olsen Twin’s The Row.
These experiences along with her personal absurdist flair are what the designer counts as the biggest inspirations behind her collections, which also taps into the construction of sleek minimalist structured garments with the use of 3D printing, CAD, and CGI technologies.
You may have already seen this silver minaudière that’s shaped after one’s posterior. Its hilarious and ingenious design aside, there’s a greener story to this must-have bag.
Created by 3D printing in New York and then lined with leather in Italy, this bag utilises both technology and traditional craft to produce—a signature feature of GRACE LING.
The use of 3D rendering and advanced printing technologies in her products allow Ling to calculate the precise amount of material required to complete each of her pieces, which then minimises waste.
Ling once stated that her methods in fashion production can be “revolutionary for sustainability around fashion production and business systems that are prime for change and progress.”
Have you seen Jennifer Lopez’s show-stopping look during her recent live performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon?
What about top model Karlie Kloss’s look the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards’s red carpet? Yes, they are both custom designs created by Ling. Stunning.
Elaborating on the term, Ling says that “it basically means the attribution of human characteristics to inanimate objects. From an absurdist perspective, I wanted to see how inanimate sculptures can trigger an emotional response.”
Ling also adds that how she styles her garments and accessories is also key to the GRACE LING label: “Some of the jackets are very covered up with little skin exposed, but there is a Butt Bag hung on the outside of the jacket. The butt is being looked at, but separate from the wearer. It is for me a way to display wit and playfulness through the accessories while maintaining sophistication and maturity in the garments. There is an odd sense of empowerment in that, it’s a different kind of sexy.”
Blink you might miss her. Ling played a bridesmaid in the film and can be seen walking down the aisle with a bouquet in tow. She was also in a scene flirting with Jimmy O Yang alongside the other bridesmaids, where she’s got a funny anecdote for. Read the accompanying caption above to find out more.