FASHION FESTIVAL 2001 SET TO DAZZLE !

Singapore’s inaugural Fashion Festival is attracting international attention as the world’s first consumer fashion event. To take place from March 16 to 31 and aptly brand, named Wear to be, this ambitious fashion extravaganza also has its role in reinforcing Singapore’s global image as a city that welcomes the latest and the best from the world circuit.

Organised by MS. Twilight Pte Ltd and supported by Singapore Tourism Board, the Festival hopes to ride on the strategic timing in March when the season’s Spring/Summer collections arrive in the stores. Together with the various debut showings during the festival, this provides a co-ordinated platform that will create a fashion frenzy and in turn boost retail sales and tourist arrivals.

International designer labels such as Kenzo, Christian Dior, Armani Exchange, Boycott and more will showcase their latest Spring/Summer 2001 collection to the masses at street parties and open-air fashion shows, injecting fun in delivering high fashion. Other firsts include a rare exhibition of heritage fashion photography by François Kollar and a Motif(s) Exhibition along Orchard Road.

Fashion Festival 2001 has confirmed slots for the first three years with the intention to become an annual event, which will entrench Singapore as the fashion capital of the East.

Singapore Tourism Board’s Director of Events Marketing, Mr Kevin Leong said: “Consumers can expect various first-evers in the Fashion Festival. Innovative presentations of fashion, street parties and entertainment by internationally renowned artistes are part of the region’s largest fashion shows in Singapore. The event marks a bold foray into the fashion scene in an attempt to position Singapore as a leader in the regional fashion industry.”

At the helm of these ambitious plans is MS. Twilight Pte Ltd, the event organiser, who have had the experience of organising fashion events such as InspirationUK in 1999 and French Fashion Furor in 2000. With this track record, MS. Twilight’s Chief Executive Officer, David Lim, is confident that the Fashion Festival will be a success. He said: “Fashion is very much a lifestyle choice. Increasingly, it is being associated with music, art and clubbing. By organising Fashion Festival with this approach, we not only bring fashion closer to the people, but also in a context in which they can easily identify with.”

Fashion Festival opens with the first showing of Kenzo’s Spring/Summer creations, at the Temasek Reflections and Sculpture Plaza at Millenia Walk. This lavish outdoor curtain raiser features international jazz and Latin singer, Laura Fygi, who has a strong following in Singapore. This celebration of fashion takes the glitz and glamour to an outdoor party, with special appearances by MediaWorks artists and MTV VJs Belinda Lee and Donita Rose. Moschino will add a tint of splendour by showcasing their collection at the opening of this party.

Following hot on the heels of the opener is the first ever fashion street carnival to be staged at Singapore’s faddish clubbing district, Jiak Kim Street. This Mardi Gras-style Hip Parade will feature models and celebrities parading down a 30-metre catwalk in Spring/Summer 2001 collection of trend-setting labels such as Armani Exchange, Boycott, OZOC and brands carried by the boutique, Blackjack. Earlier in the evening, Island Shop will add the Asian flare in a separate show. The Hip Parade will be the only time the public could view the collections in a fashion show.

Equally spectacular are the two art exhibitions lined up during the Festival – the François Kollar Fashion Art Exhibition and Motif(s) Exhibition.

François Kollar, a Paris-based photographer, most renowned between the two World Wars, has translated fashion labels such as Coco Chanel, Lanvin and Balenciaga with his refreshing stamp of elegance and modernity. The exhibition features 40 original photos, spanning 35 years of his career, which will be appropriately displayed at the historical City Hall Chamber from March 16 to 31.

The Motif(s) Exhibition will feature 30 avante garde works of French photographers and art directors. For the first time ever, the pedestrian walk-way of Orchard Road will be transformed into an open-air art gallery, featuring billboard-sized photo images that capture well-known designer labels in playful imaginary realms of fantasy on film. These images will also be transformed into floor stickers placed along this mall as well.

The Motif(s) Exhibition will run from February 25 to March 31 at the walkway while the full collection will be displayed at the Shopping Gallery of Hilton Hotel from March 20 to 31.

The festival closes on a stylish note with Glam Rock with Dior on March 31 at The Fullerton. The grandeur of the occasion and the delivery of Christian Dior’s high fashion in grunge style mark the uniqueness of this finale event. The night climaxes as models on Harley Davidsons and Cadillac roar into Zouk for a post-show party after the dinner.

This blockbuster line up of events (for a full listing of events and ticketing details, please refer to Annex A) will establish Singapore’s Fashion Festival as an undisputed leader in its own right, and expose the potential of this region to the fashion pace setters of the world.

FASHION FESTIVAL 2001 EVENTS LISTING

Core Events:



Kenzo Fashion Explosion

Fashion Festival kicks off with a dazzling display of pyrotechnics. With a cascading fountain as a backdrop, it leads to a magnificent platform where Kenzo’s Spring/Summer 2001 collection takes centrestage. A performance by internationally renowned Latin and jazz artiste, Laura Fygi promises follows the Kenzo's fashion show in a breathtaking manner. The hype of this explosive event extends to another fashion show featuring Moschino’s latest collection and an outdoor party.

date 16 Mar 01

time 7.00pm – 12am

venue Temasek Reflections & Sculpture Plaza at Millenia Walk (between Millenia Tower & Centennial Tower).

- label Kenzo

- tickets free admission

- route Take the Millenia Walk shuttle bus from Bras

Basah bus-stop (at Raffles Hotel) and alight at Time Square (6 – 10 pm)

The Hip Parade

Singapore’s debut fashion carnival will take place in Singapore’s faddish entertainment night-spot. Enjoy this upbeat event that offers makeup freebies, and over a hundred models who will be donning some of fashion’s boldest and most outrageous creations by Armani Exchange, Boycott, OZOC and brands carried by Blackjack. Earlier in the evening, Island Shop will add the Asian flare in a separate show. Merging fashion, fun and music, this cocktail of heightening indulgence will have you partying through the night in style.

- date 24 Mar 01

- time 6.30pm – 10.30pm

- venue Zouk carpark, Jiak Kim Street

- labels Armani Exchange/ Boycott/ Blackjack/ OZOC/ Island Shop

Glam Rock with Dior

Expect a unique fusion of the old and new at this spectacular closing event of the Fashion Festival. The venue is the recently opened colonial style Fullerton Hotel – a historic Singapore landmark - which will have its interiors transformed, setting the scene for a night of surprises. A cocktail reception begins the evening, followed by a savoury five-course dinner. The evening climaxes to the much-anticipated fashion show of Christian Dior’s Spring/Summer 2001 prêt-a-porter. The party continues with the models, dressed in the latest Dior creations, making their way into the Zouk disco on roaring Harleys and Cadillacs.

- date 31 Mar 01

- time 7pm – 10.45pm

- venue The Fullerton Singapore.

- label Christian Dior

- tickets Tickets at $380 and $500 (includes dinner at Fullerton and party at Zouk), available at Sistic outlets, or call ticketing hotline at 348 5555/ 222 8830.

Rock Bash at Zouk Post parade party till late at Zouk

- tickets Normal cover charge applies. $20 (ladies)/ $25 (men) Available at the venue.

François Kollar Fashion Photography Exhibition

The late Francois Kollar was one of the best fashion photographer, especially in the period between the two World Wars. He worked with great fashion houses such as Molyneux, Balenciaga and Fath. Witness this famed photographer’s mastery over textures, light and form in his works spanning three decades. His versatility is exceptional whether it is showcasing powder from Lanvin or jewels from Van Cleef & Arpel’s. This is a must-see for any fashion and photography lover.

- date 16 – 31 Mar 01

- time 11am – 6.00pm

- venue City Hall Chamber Level 3. St Andrew’s Road

- co-organisers Association Française d’Action Artistique. Supported by the French Embassy, Ministère de la Culture and Alliance Française de Singapour.

- tickets free admission

Motif(s) Exhibition

This exhibition is being staged outside of Paris for the very first time. It showcases 30 images in homage to “haute couture”. Fashion photography takes on a twist, capturing well-known designer labels in playful, made-up realms of fantasy on film. Put together by creative teams of art directors, stylists and photographers, some of the labels featured include Yves Saint-Laurent, Chanel and Valentino.

- date outdoor: 25 Feb – 31 Mar 01 indoor: 20 - 31 Mar 01

- time 10.00am- 7.00pm

- venue outdoor: Orchard Road (outside Orchard MRT)

indoor: The Shopping Gallery at The Hilton.

- tickets free admission

Fringe Events:

Spring Fever

Covet Cartier’s latest jewellery and accessories collections at Alliance Francaise’s fund raising gala dinner.

- date 30 Mar 01

- time 7.00pm – 10.30pm

- venue The Fullerton Singapore. 1 Fullerton Square.

- label Cartier

- tickets Tickets at $380 and $500 per person, available at Sistic outlets ticketing hotline: 348 5555/ 222 8830

M.A.C. Viva Glam Floating World Tour

A celebrity-studded charity extravaganza featuring designer outfits inspired by the colour of M.A.C Viva Glam III lipstick. Proceeds raised will go to Action for Aids.

- date 21 Mar 01

- venue Zouk

- time 10.00 pm

- tickets $20 (ladies) and $25 (men) available at venue. Free entry before 9.30 pm with purchase of any M.A.C Viva Glam lipstick ($26) at M.A.C store at Tangs. Ticketing hotline: 222 8830

The New Elegance by Avana & Georg Jensen. Prestige

The historical and grand setting of the City Hall Chamber sets the scene of this night of elegance and glamour as models parade Avana's latest collection and Georg Jensen's accessories.

- date 23 Mar 01

- time 7.30pm – 11.00pm

- venue City Hall Chamber

- tickets Tickets at $60, available at Sistic Outlets Ticketing hotline: 348 5555

Fashion Fast Forward 2001 by Books Kinokuniya

Be part of Kinokuniya’s fashion design competition and a host of other exciting events and demonstrations organized throughout the festival.

- date 17, 24 and 31 March 01

- venue Ngee Ann City Level 3. 391 Orchard Road.

- details Fashion Fast Forward 2001. Fashion design competition The Right Face Forward. Make-up Workshop with Cosmoprof (17 Mar 01, 3.30pm) Nonya Fashion with Bebe’s Niche. Beading demonstration and slide presentation on Peranakan fashion (24 Mar 01, 3.30pm) and Fashion show by young local designers (31 Mar 01, 3.30pm)

- tickets free admission

Changi Fashion Festival

A fashion arena at Changi Airport’s the transit lounge will showcase international labels such as Burberrys, Givenchy and Mont Blanc. Tourists and local travellers can soak in Singapore’s fashion festivities with these displays and stand a chance to win a BMW Z3 convertible in the grand lucky draw. Fashion shows will also be staged on weekends.



- date 19 Feb 01 – early May 01

- time 24 hours

- venue Changi Airport. Terminal 2 South,

Departure/Transit lounge

- tickets free admission (boarding pass required)