5 Best Looks From The Raffles Design 2024 Graduation Fashion Show And The Minds Behind Them
The show saw whimsical designs, bold colours, and intricate craftsmanship taking centre stage.
By Ynez Loh - published
Known to nurture some of the most promising up-and-coming designers, the Raffles Design Institute Singapore held its December 2024 Graduation Exhibition and Fashion Show at the Fairmont Hotel’s Stamford Ballroom on 14 December 2024.
The night saw whimsical designs, bold colours, and intricate craftsmanship taking centre stage. The show consisted of multiple segments, showcasing collections from the graduates of Raffles Design Institute Singapore’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fashion and the Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design; a sustainable menswear collection in collaboration with Liberty London; as well as the winner of the Regina Fang Oriental Fashion Award.
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Raffles Design Institute Singapore graduate and Harper’s BAZAAR NewGen Award 2023 Finalist Verina Lie with models on the runway.
Read on to see five of our favourite looks from the show and the designers behind them.
1. Verina Lie
Harper’s BAZAAR NewGen Award 2023 Finalist Verina Lie’s collection, Art of Endurance, paid homage to celebrated Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s strength and resilience through bold colours and intricate craftmanship. From puff-sleeved blouses to floral print skirts and tiered detailing, each piece evokes an unapologetic attitude.
2. Ashley Ruth Widjaja
Ashley Ruth Widjaja’s collection, titled “Wonder Haven”, drew inspiration from the magical Alice in Wonderland. With a combination of playful silhouettes and pastel hues, the Indonesian designer’s youthful imagination is reminiscent of Lolita fashion and exudes a sense of carefree joy.
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3. Vincy Carleta
Drawing inspiration from the TV series based on Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Vincy Carleta put her twist on the red robe worn by concubines forced into servitude in the show. Challenging the themes of oppressive patriarchy and dictatorship, Carleta worked her magic into her collection, Bitter Eden, comprising bold, feminine designs that seek to empower and inspire women.
4. Eain Dra Htut Oo
Eain Dra Htut Oo’s collection, Scribbles of Colour, stemmed from the idea of childhood scribbles. Reflecting a time without restrictions, her denim pieces celebrate her journey and growth, showcasing colourful stitching and pink accessories befitting of a girlish, youthful look.
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5. Wang Bingrong
Chinese designer Wang Bingrong spotlight tradition with his collection titled “Voyages of Silk and Spice”. Based off the grand expeditions of Zheng He—an admiral who spearheaded the silk and spice trade in the Ming Dynasty—Wang’s garments put a modern twist on traditional Chinese textures, embodying the beauty of East meets West.