Harper’s Bazaar mentors new generation of Asian fashion designers

The “international” in the Bangkok International Fashion Week 2013 collections specifically look to Asia, with three runway shows from a tightly-curated list featuring fashion from India (Manish Arora), Malaysia (Melinda Looi Couture) and the Philippines (John Paras).  A fourth show, referring to the event’s slogan “Future Is Asia,” sought to find the next generation of Asian fashion designers, with one selected winner receiving THB1 million (more than US$33,000) to further his or her master’s degree studies at the Istituto Marangoni in London.

Eight talented finalists showcased their capsule collections in Bangkok as part of the inaugural Harper’s Bazaar Asia New Generation Fashion Designer Award.  Jointly run by Harper’s Bazaar editorial staffs in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, the finalists hailing from those countries went through a rigorous selection and training process on their road to Bangkok International Fashion Week.  The intention from the magazine is clear: to bring designers from Southeast Asia to the international stage.

“Not only did they get some great teachings from Thai designers here, but they also learned about a business model – taking [their work] forward as a business,” Harper’s Bazaar Thailand editor-in-chief Duang Poshyanonda told event MC Cindy Burbridge Bishop onstage before the show.

“I think it’s about time for us to [work] together to produce new talents who can compete with the international fashion industry,” added Ria Lirungan, editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar Indonesia.  “I hope it will be a platform to develop the Asian fashion industry.”

The finalists, their countries and the names of their collections follow (in order of appearance in the show):

Peggy Arista, Indonesia – “Unseen”
Sheila Agatha Widjaya, Indonesia – “Moonshine”
Harvee Kok Leung Vee, Malaysia – “Bipolarity” (winner)
Sean Loh Kouk Chai, Malaysia – “A Thousand Kisses Deep”
Teresa Lim, Singapore – “Lenina Gone Wild”
Yahn Adam, Singapore – “My Asylum”
Wiruwan Hnuyung, Thailand – “En Garden”
Jatupong Metula, Thailand – “The Whispering”

Photos: Harper’s Bazaar Asia New Generation Fashion Designer Award – Bangkok International Fashion Week 2013
all photos by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine

Video: Harper’s Bazaar Asia New Generation Fashion Designer Award – Bangkok International Fashion Week 2013
video by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine