New kids on the block Raffles alumni set to shake up MBFWA

Raffles International Showcase. In its fourth consecutive year, the Raffles International Showcase will celebrate the Raffles Sydney and Singapore campuses most promising alumni. Of the seven designers chosen to take part, five are graduates from the Raffles North Sydney campus and two designers will travel from the Raffles Singapore campus for the event. Raffles College of Design and Commerce is one of only two educational institutions in Australia to secure a placement within Australia’s most prestigious annual fashion event, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia. Since joining the official MBFWA program in 2011, the Raffles showcase has been welcomed and celebrated by various fashion media and industry professionals – and holds a reputation for presenting original, innovative and distinguished design talent from the Asia Pacific. For the runway at Carriageworks, each promising young designer will showcase an individual 10-piece ready-to-wear collection for Spring-Summer 14/15. Collections include sportswear-inspired women’s wear, modern menswear, couture design, hand-sewn embellishments and tailoring. RAFFLES INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE DESIGNERS INCLUDE: GABRIEL LEE (Self-Titled) – Sydney // Image featured above For SS14/15 Lee toys with traditional notions of beauty, inspired by a series of missing children reports during the late 17th century in Spain. Born in South Korea. Lee’s self-titled label plays a game of proportion through textural and digital manipulation. Prints are vibrant and beautiful, but on closer inspection reveal a more ominous reverie. Media Highlights: Dramatic use of colour, digital prints and androgynous tailoring. www.gabriel-lee.com (Coming Soon)   DIYANA KOSSO (Self-Titled) – Sydney Diyana Kosso debuted at MBFWA in 2013 and was selected by Simon Lock as ‘one to watch’. For 2014, Kosso presents a collection that explores the notion of balance. Bold colour, contrasting textures and couture tailoring are used to dramatic effect. Media Highlights: Kosso has collaborated with luxury jewellery designer Aida Guirguis of ‘Scarab Rouge’ for her MBFWA 2014 show. www.diyanakosso.com.au   ASANOVSKI By Fatima Asanovski – Sydney The crux of the Asanovski label lies in its consideration and awareness of the body as the original site of design. With a brave disregard of trend-based design, Asanovski focuses instead on a minimal, masculine style with subtle design detailing. Media Highlights: Exquisite tailoring, geometry, drape and textural fabrications. www.asanovski.com.au (Coming Soon) PAUL NATHAPHOL (Self-Titled) – Singapore Centered upon the idea of Existentialism, Singapore-based designer Paul Nathaphol is fascinated with exploring the notion of self within both contemporary men and women’s wear design. Media Highlights: Nathaphol represented Singapore at Mongolia Fashion Week 2011 and received the ‘Young Designer of the Year Award’. The designer also came 6^th in Thailand’s version of Project Runway, where he received the series’ ‘Most Popular Designer Award’   SARA ALJAISM (Self-titled) – Sydney Sara Aljaism prides herself on creating gowns using traditional European couture methods, including intricate hand-sewn embellishment and the use of rare silks. Media Highlights: Traditional couture techniques combined with modern wearability. Collection celebrates her Middle Eastern heritage. http://www.saraaljaism.com   OPHELIE By Sean Loh & Sheila Agatha Wijaya – Singapore Sean Loh and Sheila Agatha (both born in 1990) decided to join forces after graduating from Raffles College in Singapore in 2012. For MBFWA 2014, their label ‘OPHELIE’ explores the polarity of human nature, using topstitching and embroidery to explore proportion. Media highlights: Winners of Harper’s Bazaar Asia ‘New Generation Award’ regionally for both Malaysia and Indonesia. Will.Be By William Brunton – Sydney William Brunton is a young designer determined to shake up our understanding of menswear. Sharp lines and raw finishings are a key focus for this emerging designer. Media Highlights: A new take on proportion; tailoring. www.willbe.com.au The Raffles International Showcase will take place on Day 3 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia – Wednesday April 9 at 2.15pm, The Runway at Carriageworks, Eveleigh, Sydney. ]]>