Fashion-forward collections by graduates from the MDIS School of Fashion and Design highlight denim, long silhouettes and gender-neutral styles
Malaysia, 11 July 2017 – At the 3rd MDIS Graduation Fashion Show, 15 local and international designers from the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) showcased their defining collections. The artistic creations were inspired by personal journeys and heavily influenced by social movements and world cultures.
From diverse cultures and backgrounds, the promising young talent from Singapore, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Philippines showcased designs themed around a common focus – “Definition”.
The statement collections, featuring bold, edgy and fanciful looks are a reflection of the designers’ life journeys that have defined them as young designers living in a complex world. With designs strongly expressing the ‘self’, their collections also highlight some of the latest fashion trends with denim, long silhouette and gender-neutral styles.
“Success comes about from what you know and who you know. To this end, our MDIS School of Fashion and Design is dedicated to providing numerous opportunities to students to gain industry exposure and recognition. Various platforms like project collaborations and internships with leading fashion brands, international fashion show participation, and overseas learning trips help our students gain necessary industry exposure, enhancing their knowledge and equipping them with industry-ready skills,” said Dr R Theyvendran, MDIS Secretary-General.
“The MDIS Graduation Fashion Show therefore marks not an end, but a beginning; of a successful career for our graduates from Nottingham Trent University’s diploma and bachelor programmes.”
Industry-relevant experience
Malaysian designers, Mavis Ng and Koo Yih Ru, are among the graduates who gained valuable industry-relevant experience during their studies at MDIS.
“My desire to explore and learn new things led me to fashion design. One of the fashion brands I’ve worked with is Dolce & Gabbana, on a group project. It was a great experience as we were able to explore and propose a new collection for them” shared Yih Ru.
Yih Ru’s fashion collection – The In-between, takes inspiration from her childhood love and friendship with dolls. Fabric appliques are contrasted against strong colours to set a whimsical and fanciful mood for the collection. Prints of childlike faces play ‘peek-a-book’ throughout her designs, adding a touch of playfulness to the collection.
Mavis Ng is no stranger to fashion design, having grown up with a mother who is a professional pattern maker and drafter. Just like her mother, she grew to love fashion design and formalised her training at MDIS.
“I love to create things from scratch. Now that I’ve graduated, I plan to work as a merchandiser or buyer to gain in-depth knowledge and experience of the fashion market,” revealed Mavis.
Mavis’ collection – Mezzo Forte, is about ‘Living in the gap’; the uniqueness of her designs is in its simple cut and silhouette, and play of different tones of black, grey and white with splashes of bright orange to represent the light that can shine through shadows.
Industry Collaborations
The 15 graduate designers have worked with several renowned fashion brands including Bossini, Dolce & Gabbana, Ducati, and Trendz360. Several have won competitions including Compleat in Style 2015 and Men’s Folio Designer of the Year. Being a part of fashion shows such as Digital Fashion Week and Singapore Fashion Week have also opened up their eyes to the inner workings of the fashion industry.
Global lifestyle group, Trendz360 is one of the latest fashion brands to collaborate with MDIS. Students had the task of designing promotional website banners for the brand in Singapore, Australia and the UK; assisting with the design of artwork; organising photo shoots; and styling models.
MDIS also announced an expanded collaboration with leading fashion label in executive wear, Blum & Co, to develop a new line ‘Blumex’ for young executives. While the Fashion Design students create different looks for the collection, the Fashion Marketing students will assist in research, marketing, branding and visual merchandising.
Singapore Fashion Week 2017
This year, MDIS will once again be participating in the iconic fashion event, Singapore Fashion Week. The institute will be proudly showcasing the creative works of 24 Fashion Design, and Fashion Marketing and Branding graduates, in conjunction with Nottingham Trent University and in partnership with Blum & Co. at Singapore Fashion Week 2017 on 26 October.
新加坡管理发展学院 Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS)
https://www.fsi.com.my/mdis/
