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They are young, Asian and on the way up in the fashion world.
Four Asian designers from the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Singapore will showcase their collections at Raffles City's "Asia WOW" tomorrow.
You may not have heard of them, but most are already experienced professionals in the Asian industry, some with more than 10 years of experience alone.
One such seasoned designer is Jun Escario from Philippines.
Having being a designer for more than 15 years, you can say he really knows his stuff.
In December 2001, he represented Philippines in Paris in The Concours International des Jeunes Createurs de mode, earning himself the title as the Best Philippine Designer.
Jun is also somewhat of a household name among the fashionistas in Manila.
His signature touch of sophistication will be unmistakable in his collection of 'freestyle draping evening pieces.'
This collection is inspired by the women of India's smallest state, Goa, and infused with glam rock that exudes grace with colours like matt gold, silver and white. Hence, the name of his collection, "Rock Glam Goa Style".
Another veteran in the industry is Kiata Kwanda from Indonesia, when he began his fashion career in 1995.
Although he draws inspiration from his everyday life, his style is definitely neither traditional nor the nor because he has 'an abstract way of thinking.'
A man of a few words, he describes his collection in the essence of 'simplicity, purity and harmony.'
When one thinks of simplicity, the basic colours of black and white come to mind.
'Black is a very strong and expressive colour,' he explains.
Kanchan Panjabi may not have as many years of experience as the two aforementioned designers, but that certainly does not faze her.
It was only recently that she decided to turn to her passion even though her 'soul has always been yelling creativity in the form of fashion.'
Born in India, but based in Hong Kong, her collection for Asia WOW speaks of 'wearable modernity', with an avant-garde influence that displays a hybrid of two different worlds.
And finally, Singaporean talent Teddy Or will debut his street culture-inspired collection, Street Couture at Raffles City.
In Street Couture, he engages details of the east and the west in a fusion of two cultures.
Winner of the Singapore Fashion Designers' Contest in 2006, he describes his collection as 'an amalgamation of extremities; or a celebration of contrasts, if you will.'
Since then, he has been designing unique individual pieces for private clients. He also took part in last year's Singapore Fashion Festival to produce one-off exclusive pieces for the show.
Despite the contrast in styles and grandeur, they all have one thing in common: Asian designers are still designers; it is just a matter of geographical boundaries.
In this global village, Teddy Or shares his thoughts that his designs are his 'way of attempting "east meeting west,"' and as a result, it is diffiult to draw any boundaries in order to allow creativity and success.
With that, get ready to expect differing yet multifarious collection of apparels and accessories. Asia WOW is not to be missed with such talented designers!
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