Themed Re-Imagine, 12 designers were given the opportunity to showcase their collections based on Mercedes-Benz focus on creating timeless designs that emphasises craftsmanship, creativity and technical expertise – with a special focus on sustainability of style and materials. The fashion show was punctuated by the newly unveiled Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC SUV.
In case you missed it, here is our roundup of the 12 designers that walked the concrete runway at MBFWKL 2024.
EL by Ellie Lim
Opening the show on Day 1 is EL by Ellie Lim, which is a label that embodies a distinctive contemporary chic identity. Titled ELLIELIM, the collection focuses on the designer’s creative evolution over the last 10 years. The use of creative panelling was a recurring motif throughout, and the structured yet deconstructed, architectural silhouettes created a unique style that’s distinct. This runway was the debut show for EL, which reflects Ellie Lim’s creative growth.
DOUBLEBACK by Will Lim
Fearless, unconventional and original is how you would describe DOUBLEBACK’s style. Debuting their Stalker/Worker Ants 2 2024 collection at MBFWKL 2024, the looks turned workwear on its head, telling a narrative that starts from comfy casual wear, into increasingly deconstructed corporate staples (like a tie being worn as a belt, a button-down shirt cut up into a tieback tube top and a fully upended briefcase accessory), before evolving into silky satin slip skirts and a full duvet jacket as the worker ant heads home.
A-JANE by Alice Jane Chang and NOIZ-STUDIO
Fashion and music collide in the works of A-JANE, whose avant-garde looks have gained a following for their approach to fashion as modern artwear. In her SS25 collection Refraction, she aims to transcend fashion by interrogating the nature of reality and our perceptions of it. Inspired by the bending of light and radio waves, the collection is a myriad and multifaceted look at reality through art, with fashion as the medium.
OUTDWELL by Oscar Lee
Timeless yet innovative, OUTDWELL’s collection forefronts denim and wool, in pieces that merge traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques. Championing self-expression, OUTDWELL’s clothes are all about exceptional crafts and high-quality material. On the MBFWKL 2024 stage, OUTDWELL showcased their FW24 collection named Act 4: Overdosed, which pulls inspiration from all sorts of concepts, styles, angles and music. Classic silhouettes meet modern styles, with oversized denim shirts, structured zipper sweaters and panelled button-downs, for wearable everyday pieces that are anything but basic.
WEIHAO YONG by Aaron Yong
Debuting the Rivulet collection, Aaron Yong and his eponymous label sent 16 looks down the runway, blurring the lines between high fashion and everyday wear. Described as ‘convenient couture’, the pieces are made to walk back and forth across the line between occasion-wear and daily staples, using the designer’s minimalist approach. Between flowy fluidity that changes the rigid shape of the human form, these pieces brought forth a new perspective to what certain types of silhouettes can be used for.
Coterie by Celest Thoi
Bringing forth an all-white lineup for her show, Coterie by Celest Thoi brings the designer’s expertise in bridal gown techniques to daily pieces, featuring scalloped edged necklines, bell sleeves, lace, bow ribbons, and flower petal shapes to add a sense of flair to your everyday outfits.
Justin Yap Atelier by Justin Yap
Sharp, animalique, opulent – three words that Justin Yap uses to describe his new collection. From pointed shoulders on clean cut blazers to yellow snake-skin print cut-out dresses, those three words couldn’t be more accurate to describe the bold looks that was seen on the runway. A lush black and gold palette punctuated by pops of teal, white, and yellow served for an eye-catching line up of looks from this KL-born designer.
Club21
Renowned multi-label retailer Club21 brought some of their most coveted international brands to the MBFWKL 2024 stage, including Jacquemus, AMIRI, and Self-Portrait – bring global fashion trends and creativity to the local stage – and ending Day 2’s programme with a bang.
Dickson Lim
Day 3 kicked off with an anticipated runway collection from the 2023 World Federation of Master Tailors Emerging Design competition winner, Dickson Lim. And true to expectations, Lim delivered on his MBFWKL stage with his SS25 collection Mutation of Love, in the Sands of Time. Ranging from bright colours and bold cuts on otherwise structed silhouettes to essential pullovers and pleated shorts accessorised by curated eyepieces and ties, Lim’s collection blends several inspirations into one cohesive lineup.
YULEZA by You Sheng Tan
You Sheng Tan explores his desire to discover the unknown and embrace the beauty of the world in a graceful and elegant way. Ethereal Wanderlust is the collection’s name, which heavily features intricate beadwork, embroidery, and light, almost ‘fluffy’ textures. Serving a clean pastel palette that’s pleasing to see, the entire collection screams understated elegance – and the endless allure of its appeal for women to wear.
UnitedWood by Jonathan Cheng and Voon Lai
UnitedWood offers contemporary womenswear for the modern women, delivering looks that are elegant, edgy, and always feminine. For the MBFWKL 2024 runway, the designer duo curated looks that were set in an NYC midday club, featuring denim as the core material. Wearable statement pieces with an edge, the collection reimagines the routine and familiar denim as couture wear, accented by metallic trimming, zippers and panels. The styles become increasingly haute couture as the lineup is unveiled, revealing lace and tulle, slinky black dresses, and a cow-girl couture denim halter top that makes these pieces not your average denim.
Brian Khoo
The final show of Day 3 and the closing event to the entire MBFWKL 2024 itinerary is that of Brian Khoo. A name that needs no introduction in the local fashion scene (and who also graced our Inspire cover), Brian Khoo presented 42 looks on the runway, which was all shine, sequins, zippers, jewels, polka dots and neon yellow galore! The fun and flirty looks carried that signature BK style, and served as the perfect wrap to the fashion week’s events.
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