20bytwo.

 A couple weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend a cross-cultural collaboration by Singapore-based fashion media startup FashionSpace and Malaysia's "definitive fashion platform" Tongue In Chic. It was a wonderful idea to bring together 20 of South East Asia's most promising design talents in a celebration of emerging potential, and meeting with many of these designers provided me with a wonderful, behind-the-scenes peek into the glorious world of fashion design. It's impossible to include the nitty-gritty details of every single one of the beautiful collections and designs I witnessed at 20bytwo, but I'll do my best to sum it all up in this lengthy post!

Lauren Jasmine - "World of Pure Imagination"

--> "It's that incredible feeling of losing yourself in another world, one that fascinates you, captivates your senses and leaves you enthralled." 

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Lauren Jasmine's stunning AW12 collection (their 5th collection to date!) was easily one of my favorites; showcasing a medley of enchanting separates, each with it's own authentic source of storybook inspiration. Each of the pieces are named after a bold female character (in most cases, a fictional one!) who has touched the lives of the Singapore designer duo in one way or another, namely Elphaba from Wicked!, Matilda from Roald Dahl's acclaimed novel, Coco Chanel, Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," and several more. The collection remains true to the Lauren Jasmine identity of ladylike, work-appropriate silhouettes and fabrics, but draws a heavy dose of inspiration from the realm of fantasy and historical opulence. From the luscious fabrics to the daring asymmetrical cuts, this collection boasts formality for the office, effortlessness for daily wear, and a fairytale charm that complies with absolutely any dress code life throws at you. 

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Amen {Femme} - "Transmission"

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 The daring plaid pantsuits and the gothic jewelry; "Transmission" certainly hit the spot for me. A local label run by couple Clinton and Nicole, Amen originally consisted of only menswear, and this AW12 marks the debut collection of their female line "Femme" and their jewelry line, both shown in the pictures above. The title "Transmission" suggests a seamless progression of the label from menswear to jewelry/womenswear, and the collection itself aims to break away from the stereotypes of mass-market womenswear, and cultivate a unique, edgy and androgynous persona with a strong sense of style. I don't know whether I could pull off any of the artistic extremities this collection possesses, however I thoroughly enjoy the understated glamor and muted palette of this stunning debut. 

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 By Invite Only - "A Maritime Collection"

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I fell head over Sperry's in love with this deliciously nautical jewellery collection as soon as friendly Singapore designer Trixie Khong welcomed me to her booth and talked me through her stunning, handmade designs. I am SUCH a sucker for anything nautical and "boaty," and the fact that most of these pieces actually function (It's good to have a working compass around your neck, you never know when you'll need it!)... Gosh, I'm completely sold. By Invite Only brings jewellery design to such an authentic new level; the miraculous amounts of detail and precision in each unique piece almost resemble that of a Proenza runway look! I can only imagine the vast amounts of care and patience needed to hand-make such breathtaking pieces, so props to Trixie!

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Al&Alicia - "The Girl From Back Then"

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Easily another one of my absolute FAVORITES from the night, Al&Alicia's AW12 collection was brimming with nostalgia and wearable, down-to-earth pieces; perfect for anyone with a young soul and youthful spirit. The wanderlust-y shots were set against a sun-drenched backdrop of exposed tree roots and foliage as well as a grassy midnight setting, which couldn't be more perfect for the juvenile, tender theme. The wearability and aesthetic of the collection reminded me very much of Topshop (which is never a bad thing at all!), and it struck a perfect balance between "safe" pieces and slightly riskier ones, making for the perfect day-to-day wardrobe of an anyone seeking a little adventure or excitement.

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Alia Bastamam - "Raya" AW12
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Alia Bastamam's latest collection "Raya" was conceived with the goal of updating, modernizing and reinventing traditional Malay clothing in light of the opulent, colorful festivals of Hari Raya. While most of the clothes remain conservative to respect the Malay culture, a certain few pieces are injected with undeniable sex appeal through the use of high-leg slits, exposed backs and midriff cut-outs. This successful Malaysian brand caters to brides, celebrities, and sophisticated women with a concrete taste for beautiful clothing. Bastamam's proud signature is the crepe silk toga dress, which is recreated and updated in every collection. With a penchant for luxury fabrics which "feel as good as they look," Alia Bastamam is leaning towards the use of cotton-silk blend for their upcoming Resort 2013 collection, so be sure to keep your eyes open for that!

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 KLutched

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sur Originating in Kuala Lumpur (hence the KL in "KLutched"), KLutched proudly brings forward a glittering series of highly crafted, exclusively designed bags and accessories made entirely of exotic skins and leather. Ranging from bold box clutches to iPhone cases, soft totes to oversized envelopes, KLutched is the one-stop place to go for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind statement piece! Designs range from youthful and spunky to understated and classy, but one thing that's always present in all of KLutched's designs is the ability of each creation to bring a refreshing dose of eye-catching edginess to every thread of your attire.
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 Chic Yamada - "Summer Paradise"
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Chic Yamada's stunning "Summer Paradise" collection encompasses everything that a youthful summer girl should be - colorful and noticeable, yet eco-friendly and demure. Light kaftans to throw over your swimsuit, ethereal skirts for evening walks, neon belts for the ultimate statement cinch - it's your whole summer wardrobe in a sumptuous collection. I especially like the voluminous, flowy pants which can double for daytime and nighttime looks.
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Thanks so much to FashionSpace, Tongue in Chic, and all the participating designers for coming together and forging such a great pop-up event! And props to Qin for her incredible devotion to the event: she was running around like a crazy person the whole night and STILL looked good!