s of Singaporean fashion.  Kavita Thulasidas, one of the winning designers of the prestigious Singapore Stories Award 2022, is the perfect embodiment of the council’s commitment to recognising and promoting local talent.  Thulasidas not only claimed the award but also had the honour of presenting her collection at Paris Fashion Week, bringing the essence of Singaporean design to a global audience. In an exclusive interview with Inside Retail, Choo shared his vision for Singaporean designers and styles on the international stage.  Choo’s perspective on the evolution of ‘local fashion’ over the years sheds light on the cultural metamorphosis shaping Singapore’s fashion identity.  The current state of affairs “The Singapore Stories 2023 theme ‘Kebaya Re-imagined’ coincided with the re-opening of the Peranakan Museum and earlier this year, the National Heritage Board had nominated to inscribe ‘Kebaya: Knowledge, Skills, Traditions and Practices’ on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” he told Inside Retail. With ‘Kebaya Re-imagined’, the designers were given the opportunity to explore and invent this iconic regional garment, envisioning its place in the future of fashion.  “This year, we decided to make Singapore Stories 2023 a celebration of our local talents, instead of a competition between them. While there was no panel of judges, gala attendees were all given the opportunity to vote for their favourite designs,” he noted. The designers behind the five looks with the most votes each received a Special Recognition Award, with Thulasidas being amongst the five. Thulasidas debuted her first collection in Singapore 30 years ago, making her recent foray onto the international stage at Paris Fashion Week a significant milestone. “As for Singapore’s fashion industry, Ms. Thulasidas’ collection is a wonderful tribute to Singapore’s multitude of cultures and highlights a key strategic pillar, that is Asian craftsmanship. With Asian craftsmanship, we hope to foster the continued sophistication, development and longevity of Asian material heritage and histories,” Choo added. The council’s role According to Choo, institutions like the SFC play vital roles in nurturing and promoting local talent in Singapore’s fashion industry.  “We provide platforms for exposure, education, collaboration, and cultural inspiration that are essential for the growth and recognition of Singaporean fashion on the global stage,” he stressed. By providing local designers a platform to showcase their works and supporting them in reaching outside these borders, the council aspires to position Singapore as a pioneering fashion hub. Choo admitted that ‘Singapore style’ is an evolving identity given the range and diversity of its melting-pot society. It may be difficult to draw definitive boundaries around.  “However, some top-of-mind concepts are definitely the cultural heritage of the many different peoples that make up Singapore society, as well as the material histories (from textile to architecture) of Singapore’s place as a nexus of global trade,” he concluded.