The Men's Folio Designer of the Year competition is an annual event held in November showcasing the best budding talents in menswear across the region. It is a platform for aspiring menswear designers regardless of their background to demonstrate their sartorial capabilities and unique points of view to a panel of esteemed judges.
See entries belowLatika Balachander
BA(Hons) Fashion Design and Textiles, Class of 2020
Entry: Blurred Bodies
Latika's collection brings about an interpersonal dialogue between the body, garment and viewer. Visually inspired by the skin, the garments signify that the skin is the only determinant of our identity — the only organ that separates humans based on age and race differences.
Azra Syakirah
BA(Hons) Fashion Design and Textiles, Class of 2018
Entry: GIN OUKAM
2018’s brief was inspired by the Seven Sins, where designers were asked to present their take on ONE of the cardinal vices (Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, Pride) through a menswear collection, with looks that are wearable and commercially-viable.
Azra’s collection, GIN OUKAM is an abbreviation for GIN OOKAMI, which loosely translates to ‘great silver wolf deity’. GIN OUKAM is a Menswear Autumn/Winter collection that tackles the mentality of perfection —not everything that is perfect is good and not everything that is imperfect is bad.
Yong De Han
BA(Hons) Fashion Media & Industries, Class of 2017
The open call to the brief, “Visions of 2010”, received over 60 submissions and De Han’s collection Siapa Nama Kayu? impressed judges.
Roughly translating to “What is your name?”, the collection was inspired by the multicultural history of Singapore. His designs reflected what our Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian forefathers used to wear. From the cut of the mandarin collar and Malay Kurta, to the silhouette of Indian Dhoti pants and use of silk-screened botanical illustrations reminiscent of Sir Stamford Raffles’ time, Siapa Nama Kayu? is De Han’s hope for Singaporeans to be proud of their Singaporean identity and to prize craftsmanship over fast fashion. Siapa Nama Kayu? was also showcased at Art Stage Singapore 2018 as part of an exhibition that explored the interaction between art and fashion.
Thang Weilun
BA(Hons) Fashion Media & Industries, Class of 2014
Thang beat a talented crop of over 70 other hopefuls and walked away with the grand prize of S$10,000 in cash and prizes, which included a luxurious timepiece from Bell & Ross.
