Last night, the Singapore Fashion Council Gala 2024 was the stage for a groundbreaking multinational showcase, celebrating sustainable fashion in the seventh edition of Singapore Stories. Designers from eight countries came together to push the boundaries of innovation, presenting stunning runway-ready looks that embraced circularity. This flagship initiative, spearheaded by the Singapore Fashion Council (SFC), was attended by leaders from the fashion industry, government representatives, and distinguished guests, including Minister Indranee Thurai Rajah.
For the first time, Singapore Stories united 12 designers from across Asia and the Middle East—representing countries like Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia—to create mini-capsule collections inspired by the theme “Eternally Circular.” Each designer rose to the challenge, producing three looks that highlighted sustainable practices such as longevity, responsible material use, and social responsibility. From Thai designer Terfah‘s versatile, detachable garments to Singaporean designer Esther Choy‘s woven creations from sentimental, repurposed fabrics, the showcase emphasized the endless possibilities of circular fashion.
Designers also championed responsible material use, with a minimum of 50% of each collection crafted from sustainable resources. For instance, Dars Juson from the Philippines repurposed everyday objects like bedsheets into wedding gowns, critiquing the excesses of the wedding industry, while Anseina Eliza of Singapore transformed fabric scraps and plastic bags into avant-garde pieces.
The event concluded with an audience vote, crowning Anseina Eliza as the audience choice winner, followed by Fomalhaut Zamel and Sabrina Goh as runners-up. The public can view, purchase, and pre-order select designs at Design Orchard from October 16 to November 15, 2024.
During the Gala, SFC also presented the inaugural IMPACT Award to honor trailblazing organizations in sustainable fashion. Ethical fashion label Dorsu won in the organizations category for their efforts in repurposing deadstock fabric, while e-commerce platform ZALORA took home the award in the projects category for its green initiatives, such as low-carbon deliveries and sustainable packaging.
These winners will receive further support in their sustainability journeys, including a complimentary consultation with ESGpedia under the ESG Pilot Programme, helping them continue their impactful work in transforming the fashion industry.