RCDC Australia Fashion Design Graduates Showcase Collections at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia
Four international Fashion Design graduates from Raffles College of Design and Commerce, Australia presented their fashion collections at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia (MBFWA). Ayaka Ichikawa, Crystal Tsoi, Gabriel Lee and Winson Tan showcased their hard work and talents to an audience that included trade professionals and media.
Prior to the MBFWA, all four participants went through an intensive mentor program with respected and prominent fashion professionals. They included: Wayne Cooper, Josh Goot, Mitchell Oakley Smith, Trish Nicol, Jarrad Clark, and Eva Galambos. From them, our graduates learnt about various industry standards, “trade secrets”, and the need to be aware of fashion design’s commercial value.
“Our four fashion design graduates showcasing their collections at fashion week this year hail from the four corners of the Orient: Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Malaysia, albeit with a Bachelor of Design education which was undertaken at our Raffles North Sydney campus. Each one of them represents the future of fashion in our dynamic and ever-changing global market. Raffles College is at the forefront of this news and exciting design frontier,” said Mr Robert De Giovanni, Program Director of Fashion Design & Marketing at Raffles College of Design and Commerce, Australia.
About Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia
View of Sydney Harbour
The Mercedes Benz Fashion Week happens in Australia once a year. In 2012, it took place on 30 April to 4th May. Fashion designers from around the world made their way to the Overseas Passenger Terminal – near the edge of the rich and vibrant backdrop of Sydney Harbour.
What is the big deal about fashion shows?
Spice up your portfolio by designing for fashion shows
Any aspiring fashion designer should set eyes on attending, volunteering, or creating collections for fashion shows. To the public, it is good entertainment to watch beautiful people parading around in gorgeous outfits fleshed out from the imaginations of talented designers. To designers, sponsors, organizers and media, it is their chance to shine.
Here are a few other good reasons why you should strive to put your designs on an international runway:
- You can meet new people who could be potential partners like models, buyers, suppliers, or media.
- Industry people will be looking at your works – which is a good way to get job opportunities. Some designers get approached and interviewed on the spot. So be prepared with name cards.
- Inspire yourself with works of other designers and identify your strengths and weaknesses through comparisons.
- Experience what it is like to organize a fashion show backstage. With this knowledge, you can organize your own shows for your own label.
- It is good for your portfolio and résumé.
The Designers from RCDC Australia
Name: Ayaka Ichikawa
From: Japan
Label: anquintic
Ayaka’s conceptual designs were featured internationally at Yodex 2011: Young Designer’s Exhibition in Taipei. After her graduation from Raffles College of Design and Commerce, Sydney, she started her brand, aquintic.
aquintic debuted at the MBFWA 2012. It featured women’s day wear and evening gowns. The collection is based on the concept of art in fashion. Elements of menswear can be found in the collection’s high-quality details.
More of Ayaka’s works can be found on her online website at: http://www.aquintic.com/
Name: Crystal Tsoi
From: Hong Kong
Label: In Flux
Crystal founded her label in 2010 after graduating with top honors from Raffles. Her designs that were previously shown in Beijing Fashion Week were well-received. This is her second year showcasing her designs at MBFWA.
In Flux is a collection with minimal and clean shapes. The tailored look results in sleek, elegant, and feminine garments.
“The human form is nature’s most fundamental piece of architecture,” she explains. “Fashion is the relationship between the body and the garment. My clothes are constructed – like a building – and draped to complement nature. You have to feel it, adore it.”
More of Crystal’s works can be found on her brand’s Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/crystaltsoidesign
Name: Gabriel Lee
From: South Korea
Label: Unstable Beings
Gabriel is a designer who gets inspiration from his surroundings. His designs focus on silhouette, simple lines, and bold details. At the moment, he is working on launching his label in South Korea, Australia and other locations with an international fashion market.
Unstable Beings is a collection that retains a practical nature while being artistic. It has references to shapes from the 1930s. This collection’s palette includes toned-down pinks, white and aqua. Traces of masculine lines can remind one of menswear staples like collars, cuffs, and oversized jackets.
More of Gabriel’s works can be found on his website at:
Name: Winson Tan
From: Malaysia
Label: NOSIM
Winson is no beginner to the runway. He launched his avant-garde label in 2007 after winning three awards in the Malaysian-International Fashion Award (MIFA) during the Malaysia-International Fashion Week. At the event, he won the “Most Promising Designer” award. While he was at the “Fashion Future” program, Winston was interviewed by Head of Womenswear of Viktor & Rolf. And he earned a 6-month internship.
His label, NOSIM, is developed through innovative play of pattern cutting with edgy, yet sophisticated styling. Inspiration is drawn from conceptual ideology, modern beauty and feminine allure.
More of Winson’s works can be found on his website at:
Want to find out more about studying Fashion Design in Sydney, Australia? Send us an enquiry!
Everyone’s case is unique and we want to give the best advice that works for you. To ensure quality education every semester, there are limited seats in Raffles. And they are filling up fast! Need more information? Fill up an enquiry form and an experienced Education Consultant will provide you with a free consultation.