The 6th annual Singapore Fashion Festival 2006 ran successfully for ten days at The Tent in Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, Orchard Road from 24th March till 2nd April.

A showcase of 30 brands with their haute couture spring/summer 2006. 24 events in a dedicated 2,500 square metres white tent. 1,200 premium bottles of Moet et Chandon (the Official Champagne of the Singapore Fashion Festival) in 8,400 glasses of wine. From dolled-up fashionistas, members of the press to fashion prowess tourists, there were at least an amazing attendance of 18 thousand people.

Winner of the 2004 British Fashion Awards Model of the Year, international British top model Lily Cole was the official face of Singapore Fashion Festival and graced the catwalk for the opening launch of this fashion festival, L’Oreal Paris Jean Paul Gaultier.

So many fantastique shows but so little time. TAXI Design Network covered most of the evening shows and had a ball of a time… Presented by Mercedes-Benz, Singapore Fashion Festival was a commendable event and we cannot wait for what Singapore Fashion Festival 2007 has in store for us.




Photography by Angel
Visual has been digitally enhanced.

L’Oréal Paris presents Jean Paul Gaultier
24 March
For the third year running, L’Oréal is the Official Beauty Partner of the Singapore Fashion Festival 2006, an alliance that has inspired
creativity in make-up and hairstyling backstage. Collaborating with Jean Paul Gaultier to bring you the best in fashion and beauty in a sphere of poetical and whimsical romance.

Jean Paul Gaultier suffered in value of his designs in 1990’s but made a come back when he became the chief designer for Hermes in 2003. Commissioned by Madonna to design her costumes for her upcoming tour this summer, Jean Paul Gaultier did it again in his Spring Summer 2006 Collection and Couture Spring Summer 2006 Collection.

Despite the peppering of bubble, long sleeves and feminine frills on the catwalk, his signature identity was inevitably injected in the designs. Laces, stockings and fancy head gear, Jean Paul Gaultier stays true to his French fashion identity of being kinky and loud.




Photography by James Hu
Visual has been digitally enhanced.

Ashley Isham presented by Mercedes-Benz
26 March
Arguably one of Singapore's biggest fashion pride, Ashley Isham returns to his home country with his latest collection, presented over an evening of ethnic charms in the moods of upbeat maroon glamour chic.

Originating from Singapore, the designer married his cosmopolitan roots with affluent European significance for the highly-anticipated collection.
Cultural diversity was felt in harmony. Ashley Isham delivered for sure, but still, the catalyst that looked set to match the media magnetism, was clearly missing.




Photography by James Hu
Visual has been digitally enhanced.

alldressedup
27 March
On and off the runway, there was mass favour. For a late bloomer in fashion, the demand for the Urban was haste in Singapore. Social influence was crucial, and designs are prompted to be pragmatic.

We thank the designers for understanding the tastes of the consumers. Clothes today are meant to make people look good. Fashion or otherwise, design is to serve an objective. And alldressedup had people dressed up. If not all of them, at least many did.




Photography was provided by Mercedes-Benz
Visual has been digitally enhanced.

Mercedes-Benz Asia Fashion Award Regional Finals
28 March
Mercedes-Benz, the presenter of this gala event had ten emerging designers from Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan boasting their fresh ideas last Tuesday; to have their hands on the USD 10, 000 cash, the opportunity to showcase his winning collection at the Mercedes-Benz Australia Fashion Week in May 2006 and many more.

MBAFA was held at Zouk, an event one of the most exciting at Singapore Fashion Festival. Based on the three criteria of Originality, Susceptibility and Commercialism, the judges decided that ruffles and frills dominated the catwalk. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland and its unique collections, Malaysian Syaiful Baharim walked away as the grand winner for Mercedes-Benz Asia Fashion Awards 2006.




Photography by Angel
Visual has been digitally enhanced.

Nokia presents L’Amour featuring ck Calvin Klein
31 March
The Nokia L’Amour Collection was the inspiration behind the Nokia catwalk show – L’Amour. In the mood for l’amour, “The Love”: Brown and baby green leaves lingering down to the runway beckons the ballet of a couple don in white. A grand theatrical entrance albeit the dance was punctuated with stammers, the romantic backdrop and sexy French numbers made up for it.

ck Calvin Klein showed off this season’s collection with must-have accessories of gold nuggets, substituted by his details of gold buttons on pants and sleeves. Men’s collection ala subtle military is in subtle designs and softer fabric. Very ck.




Photography by Angel
Visual has been digitally enhanced.

Diane von Furstenberg
1 April
The best catwalk in Singapore Fashion Festival 2006. The models are smiley, the interaction between models and audiences were awesome, the clothes were Beautiful… everything was so sophisticated.

Responsible for the iconic wrap-dress from New York to Singapore and
introducing Working Girl for Fall 2006, Diane Von Furtensberg’s collection of Fall/Winter 2006/07 spells class and comfort from working hours to rendezvous evenings. She said, “ It’s all in the cuts, the colours and the fabric.” And we agree with her.

“I always wanted to be a working girl and live a man’s life…I became one and hope to be one for a long time.”




Photography by Angel
Visual has been digitally enhanced.

Missoni, The Closing show
2 April
Missoni aids the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) and aimed to touch the hearts of the audiences with a soprano performed by Nancy Yuen, who has performed at the Royal Albert Hall. Followed then by sex kitten Michelle Goh, socialite Tracy Chuek and many other celebrities who took the catwalk to appeal for donations.

Fresh from its showing at Milan Fashion Week, big bolds of graphic pattern were printed on canvases of very soft fabrics, peppered with playful dazzles of sequins and big boho beads. An eclectic mix of fun and feminine, Missoni did the closing show justice.





Photojournalism by TAXI Design Network’s Photography Singapore Correspondents, Angel and James Hu.

Angel from IDP media is a professional photographer and he is adamantly against those who fire flashes in perfectly lit-up fashion runways. Angel is no stranger to the scene, “Fashion is not only about clothes or what to wear but style and attitude. A model is nothing without the clothes and the clothes is nothing without the model.” Praise him at admin@idpmedia.com

James Hu is a hobby photographer that is keen to explore into different areas of photography, i.e. fashion, sports and advertising photography
Enthusiastic and confident for a budding photographer, James also tries to achieve different effect(s)/feeling on objects that would otherwise look plain. James can be contacted at jameshu@pacific.net.sg.


TAXI Design Network supports and recognises the creative excellence of this highly-coveted fashion festival.


© 2006 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.