This year at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2018, AirAsia Runway Ready Designer Search (AARRDS) continued their annual pursuit to search for up-and-coming fashion design talents here in Malaysia. The designer search is committed to help young aspiring talents to fulfil their dreams, to support them and to provide them the highest form of exposure and opportunities available in the fashion industry. With bright futures ahead of them, these finalists are no doubt the up-and-coming faces of fashion to look out for in Malaysia one day.
Tan Win Shean (foreground, most left) with other Top 5 finalists of AirAsia Runway Ready Designer Search 2018.
The finale that took place at Pavilion KL ended with a bang where the top five finalists showcased three fashion-forward looks each from their collection on the runway, before a fashion figure panel of judges from the industry. The designers were judged based on their design creativity, originality and consistency of their collection, adherence to the Asean theme, practicality as well as stage presentation. ESMOD Kuala Lumpur’s very own graduate, Tan Win Shean, clinched the 2nd Runner-up title with his collection ‘Scarecrow The Saint’, and walked away with prizes consisting of a contract with fashion and lifestyle luxury brand Infinence to design a capsule collection, as well as an all-new Huawei Nova 3 smartphone.
“Being the 2nd runner-up was definitely good news, but there’s always room for improvement. However, I’m thankful for the opportunity given to showcase my designs on an international platform. At the end of the day, what mattered most was that I knew I’ve done my best. That sense of accomplishment was all that I was longing for,” said Tan earnestly about his recent win.
In preparation for this competition, he carefully planned out his time right after being selected as a Top 5 finalist. He also had a checklist of all the things to be done, from conceptual up to completion. Like with every other collection, this one was no different, as he revealed the biggest challenge faced was the race against time to complete everything before the deadline.
He is grateful to ESMOD KL for providing him with the facilities and space to create his collection, and also to the lecturers who had checked on him from time to time, giving useful advice that helped him in realising the designs. Early this year, he was also presented with the prestigious Golden Needle Award 2018, one of the highest accolades for an ESMOD student. The pure gold needle made into a necklace is one of the highest recognitions for being the most committed, conscientious and hardworking team player throughout his course of study.
“One must stay true to what you stand for or believe in. Always work hard and practice. Last and most importantly be nice to everyone. After all, the industry is all about building connections,” he shared as advice to aspiring fashion designers. He plans to pursue his degree in fashion marketing, and pick up embroidery and tailoring courses in the future.
Indeed, students of ESMOD Kuala Lumpur are always encouraged to challenge themselves by participating in competitions that expose them to real life industry practice to put to test what they have already learnt from ESMOD Kuala Lumpur, which is under the umbrella of the world’s first and oldest fashion school in the world with over 170 years of history! As one of the leading fashion design institutions in the country, ESMOD Kuala Lumpur pledges to provide the best education programme and continues to nurture its students passionately through the world class intensive course of ESMOD Fashion Design & Pattern Making.
Tan (left) with the Grand Winner and 1st Runner-up.
Tan Win Shean receiving the Golden Needle Award 2018, pictured with Mr. Tatsun Hoi, Principal of The One Academy.
Tan Win Shean’s winning collection – Scarecrow The Saint.
The One Academy of Communication Design
https://edufair.fsi.com.my/theone
