Fashion lovers out there, you’re in for a huge shopping treat this year, because this year’s 18 PARCO next NEXT local designer labels, which form the third batch of the fashion incubator project, have officially made their retail debut with a big and very exciting opening launch on Saturday!

The launch, which was situated right at the retail space of the incubator on level 2 of the Parco@Marina Bay, kickstarted with a fashion show choreographed by fashion producer Jeremy Tan, unveiling the varied mix of styles from all 18 new labels, alongside the Spring/Summer 2012 collections of five existing PARCO next NEXT designers (from the second batch).

From a galore of in-your-face prints to unexpected and almost impossible drapes, to avant garde silhouettes and even to bespoke gentlemen wear, we were thrilled, baffled and surprised with the extraordinary offerings these labels have in store for shoppers these days, taking the idea of the appreciating local designers to the next level!

We are all very excited about putting clothes on the racks and have lofty plans for our retail space at PARCO next NEXT. We hope to be the batch that brings change and makes Singaporeans sit up and really pay attention to local designers.

- Daniela Monasterios Tan, 1/3 of label MASH-UP

This year’s batch, no doubt, is one of the most diversified bunch we’ve seen so far! Whatever your style, we’re pretty sure you can find something you like in the batch!

Without a further ado, here are the 10 labels that rock our boat (and will rock yours too)!

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KAE HANA & her ingenious prints!

It is and will always be a love-love relationship with KAE HANA, ever since we’ve spotted and fell in love with her designs at the PARCO next NEXT media preview back in February this year!

Her edgy collection raisedbythemiddles, feature bright, visually-arresting self-designed prints(!!!) of skulls and flowers motifs in simple, clean-cut silhouettes that can be easily worn for all occassion, yet accentuating a tinge of avant garde!

The perfect look for our next event! (pssst, I’m a proud owner of her funky skull top, can’t wait to rock in it! )

A rack of clothes (using a double-decker metal bed frame) at the spanking, new KAE HANA shop! Super clever!

www.kae-hana.com

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The ever-kooky MASH-UP!

Serious and dull will never be the game-play for Daniela Monasterios Tan, Nathanael Ng as well as Shaf Amis’aabin who are the trio behind street-wear label MASH-UP! The label itself is a manifestation of their common love for music, partying and fashion.

Their Spring/Summer 2012 collection, Totemania features gutsy faces and tribal features using the style of D.I.Y patchwork, embroidery and denim in the form of cape-like dresses, waist-cinching skirts, t-shirts, and not forgetting, those platform shoes that totally translate street-style back in the 1990s as well as “Girl Power”.

We must say that the label’s fun, quirky, and kooky concept is a major standout! Simply pop culture at its best!

Oh, and did we mention, the label also has some funky shirts for men too!

www.mashupcollective.com

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Revasseur for the everyday girl

Bright hues and prints seems to be the formula for a few in this batch, and Revasseur by Parsons School of Design Graduate Gilda Su is no exception.

Filled with a boundless joy in prints, the label has been displayed in many places such as Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City as well as Debut New York in the Noho district to rave reviews in The Cut online magazine, segue UK, Examiner.com, and even in Conde Nast’s annual intern magazine before settling down as the latest batch of PARCO next NEXT designers.

Revasseur is all about colours and pattern-manipulating, and is highly evident all the way from her shop (note the red polka-dotted wallpaper!) to her latest womenswear collection, Love and Other Favorite Things , which features playful and light-hearted appliques and hand-drawn prints! Pretty lovely stuff, we say!

http://www.revasseur.com/website/

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The Asian-cultured Saloni Rathor

Staying true to her Himalayan roots, Saloni Rathor by self-taught designer Raloni Shrestha’s womenswear collection, Exotic Edge is an ode to the culture and nature in Asia. Her outstanding beading, cut-out collar details, a myraid of prints and varied palette of contrasting colours are really exciting to watch out for!

Be enthralled by the exquisite beading of Saloni Rathor!

www.salonirathor.com

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The androgynous 20:TWOTHREE

Androgynous is the genre for 20:TWOTHREE, a label that can be classified both under menswear as well as womenswear. Featuring a signature identity in soft drapes and layering, their latest collection Clarity in Blindness which is based on the concept of visual obstruction and obsurity, feature solely blacks, whilst playing around with textures and density. The concept also speaks true of their banishing gender differences (which explains the androgynous looks!).

The intersting concept: It is said that in a room of darkness, one can’t see.

In reality, with 12 hours of daylight, every individual is still blinded by thoughts and predetermined beliefs.

Plus, in case you didn’t know, some of the pieces actually have multi-functional ways of wearing it, as explained by the designer duo Genevive Goh and Jamie Goh! Cool stuff huh!

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The showstopping Lion Earl

Two words: BLOWN AWAY!

That was technically how we felt when the womenswear designer label Lion Earl‘s model, with her stunning head-piece, walked our way during the fashion show! It was a moment of speechlessness as the look, which translates the urban geometry and architectural inspiration of the Lion Earl’s designers, Lionel Low and Hariz Lim, was clearly done in perfection.

Expect peplum looks, monochromatic vests and skirts peppered with dashes of fushcia pink and electric blue as they are the key formulas for the label this season. Look out for truly refreshing elements like irregular hemlines, hand-dyed buttons and sharp cutting!

www.lionearl.com/

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The ever-artistic Alexandria Chen

“Why can’t garments be pieces of artworks?” – we totally have to agree with designer label, Alexandria Chen

Yes, they can most definitely be artworks, especially her debut collection this Spring/Summer 2012.

Entitled ‘Purple Dusk‘, the collection which is inspired by the exhibition ‘Geometry of Lights’ by Alyson Shotz, dawns a spotlight on how would light look like if we stop time. It’s more like a food-for-thought question, but that really set us pondering and thinking on the possibilities.

Her collection in itself is the answer, by capturing the moment between twilight and dusk that lights up the entire sky in purple, and when that moment passes instantly, but the memory of a horizon bathed in purple light lingers long, which explains the purple light streaks that are so prominent in her garments.

Highlights include a dress that is made up of 14 different fabrics (!!!!) & her leather harnesses!

http://www.alexandriachen.com/

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Sharp menswear label, MILS

Fret not, because luxury menswear label MILS, whose detailed shirts and apparels, will be great additions for the wardrobe of all stylish guys out there! Taking a spin on the staple shirts, the label, which is the brainchild of designer Sunny Lim, plays around with pleating, draping and leather embellishments under the inspirations of art and philosophy, to create interesting shirts and pants for the free-spirited man in mind.

Totally the label to look for, for men who wants alternative, sharp and bold options.

http://www.milsmanifesto.com/

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The light that shines on WSDM

Premim streetwear-concept label WSDM (short for We Seek DiscernMent) delves into their retail launch with a collection ‘Let There Be Light’ using a story of of light juxtaposing darkness. Offering simple, classic pieces with unconventional twists like such as leather trims on an otherwise plain, button-down shirt, glossy panellings to name a few, the label will definitely appeal to men who appreciate basics and subtle details!

We really like the contrasting textures in the monochromatic collection!

http://www.wsdmstore.com/

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A nod to the evenodd

Not a fresh face to fashion, menswear label evenodd by designer Samuel Wong, who has since shown at the inaugural Men’s Fashion Week 2011 (MFW11) and this season, this label strives to reinterpret the prim and proper style of gentlemen from days of yore with a contemporary twist.

From the trademark myna bird prints (which results from a collaboration with fashion textile student, Edward Chan) to gold,sturdy zippered leathers to buckle details and unconventional cuts, the label is edgy, classic yet dark at the same time. Clearly for you if you like stark, monochromatic styles.

http://evenoddstudio.com/

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But of course, these are the other designer labels worth checking out:

The defying & defining menswear-inspired womenswear label Quainthood by Joy Ng

www.quainthood.com/

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Easy wearing knee-length dresses from Angelia by Zen Tan and Angela Tan

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And of course, staple, functional yet fun clutches and tote bags, from the Stationary Lovers Notion range of bags from Veira

http://www.iloveveira.com/

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The Robin Hood mantra in loose, relaxed silhouettes at FOREWORD by Evelyn Ng and Pearly Wee. Love those unique rope necklaces!

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The label that merges the past and the future, Episene by Lee Yun Ting impresses with androgyness look, juxtaposing cuts and heavy draping in her collection entitled Involuntary Memories

http://www.episene.com/

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http://www.foonoart.blogspot.com/

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Now that you have seen and been introduced to all 18 designers, head on down to level 2 of Parco @ Marina Bay to shop your hearts out! Our young local designers have indeed done us proud!

Do also keep a lookout as some of these designers will actually be taking on the runway and showcasing their collections the PARCO next NEXT show at the Audi Fashion Festival 2012 on 19 May 2012!

See you there!

xx

Do also check out our FACEBOOK ALBUM for more photos!