Vogue Singapore was born at the height of the pandemic. The extraordinary circumstances that surrounded its launch helped to shape the magazine’s identity, vision, and thrust. Publisher Bettina von Schlipp begins, “From day one, we were published on lockdown. Hopefully I will be the last publisher to launch a Vogue from home. We had to explore different ways, tools and techniques to get the story across.” This sparked the integration of tech and innovation into the team’s storytelling and ultimately, the readers’ experience of fashion. The future of fashion, especially around the Southeast Asian region, also became a central conversation on the pages of the fashion magazine.

Vogue Singapore’s Editor-in-Chief, Desmond Lim expounds. “We have consistently bridged the gap between fashion and technology, introducing groundbreaking features in print and digitally. These include Vogue’s first NFT issue and collection, styling videos using AR technology, NFC Continuity Chip™ embedments to unlock exclusive content.” The publication has also welcomed AI models into the fold. It has left early fashion footprints on the metaverse through an exclusive space on Spatial.io.

“Guided by this ethos, we wanted to bring together the Vogue community to spark conversation on the future of fashion,” Desmond says. In 2023, they launched the inaugural Next In Vogue, a multi-day landmark event that showcases the future of fashion, innovation, and culture. Its second edition took place last October at The Capitol Theatre and The Capitol Kempinski Hotel. Apart from tech and future-forward fashion, Vogue Singapore also endeavored to spotlight emerging Asian designers.

Southeast Asian Designers On Global Fashion Stage

As editor-in-chief of Vogue Singapore, Desmond’s point of view on Southeast Asia as one collective, creative force is clear. In his editor’s note, he writes: “It’s not just about championing the creative talents here in Singapore, but also about celebrating voices from across the region… At Vogue Singapore, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to be present at major regional fashion weeks, offering support and guidance to emerging designers navigating the often unpredictable world of fashion.”

This sense for bringing together a regional community extends to the Next in Vogue landmark event. Two days of panel conversations with industry leaders like lensman Nick Knight, digital artist Krista Kim, designers Gaurav Gupta and Chet Lo drew a fashionable crowd of 1,200 from all across the region to the iconic Capitol Theatre. “I see Singapore not only as a hub for technological advancement,” ponders Desmond. “But also as a center that unites the region, given our shared history and culture. By fostering community building across various countries, we can create greater impact. This enables us to discover and nurture a new wave of designers, creatives, and innovators, while providing an inclusive ecosystem where they can showcase their work and pave the way for the next generation of talent.”

Red Carpet Couture Creations By Southeast Asian Designers at the Vogue Closet

Vogue Closet, an exhibition of red-carpet couture creations by Gaurav Gupta, Chet Lo, and Cong Tri brought to light the work of Southeast Asian talents as worn by celebrities like Beyonce and Adele. “This curated collection represents a significant shift in the global fashion landscape, spotlighting the rising influence and creativity of Asian design talent on the world stage,” explains the editor.

A Look At The Next Generation Of Leading Designers From Southeast Asia

The Next In Vogue Gala punctuated two exciting days of forward thinking fashion, tech, beauty, lifestyle, and culture. The soiree showcased capsule collections of four outstanding designers from various parts of Southeast Asia. Desmond furthers, “They were selected predominantly as they represent the next generation of leading designers from their respective countries… They were carefully selected by the Vogue fashion editorial team, who dedicate considerable time to discovering new talent within the region, having supported all the major trade shows and fashion weeks.”

Singapore’s Grace Ling fused fashion and technology in creating a future-forward collection for the Next In Vogue Gala. Her five-piece collection married 3D printing with bold, razor-sharp silhouettes.

Brian Khoo tapped into nostalgia as he reimagined a timeless palette of blacks and whites into highly textural and embellished runway pieces. The designer from Malaysia merges his country’s rich tradition of craft with refreshingly modern cuts and patterns.

Phan Huy is an independent designer from Vietnam who creates garments the way a sculptor would a masterpiece. His collection was a study in fabric manipulation, impeccable construction, and a sharp eye for whipping up trompe l’oeil patterns.

Adeline Esther’s collection was an embodiment of stealth and sophistication. The Indonesian designer worked with metallic fabrics that moved like fluid on the runway. Under the light, pieces shone like black ice and mercury.

Desmond opines, “Fashion thrives at the intersection of culture and technology. Our vision embraces a creative community that celebrates heritage while also pushing boundaries in new and innovative ways.” During the landmark event, guests also spent a considerable amount of time exploring The Vogue Innovation Lounge. It was both a playground and discovery platform dedicated to tech-driven fashion, impressed as a window to the future.

Bettina explains, “Next n Vogue highlights our role as a catalyst for change in Southeast Asia, bridging global trends with local talent to create a dynamic platform that fosters collaboration and shapes the future of our industry. It’s more than an event; it’s a space where innovation thrives and new ideas come to life.”

COzTERRA: Garments That Capture Carbon Dioxide

There were three tech activations on showcase inside the Innovation Lounge. After debuting in London Fashion week, a first-of-its-kind hologram digital experience by the Digital Fashion Designers Council (in partnership with MAD Global and Future Front Row) was finally introduced to audiences in Singapore. Nomtek and Showstudio also mounted a live demonstration using the Apple VisionPro. It explored new ways of telling fashion stories through augmented reality.

A showcase by COzTERRA (winner of the 2023 Vogue Singapore X BMW Innovation Prize) impressed as a tangible, relevant solution to the sustainability challenges faced by modern society today. Bettina details, “The research and development company led by CEO and co-founder Patrick Teyssonneyre, is pioneering AI-driven materials that absorb carbon dioxide, such as carbon-capturing dyes. Their innovations have been featured globally at MIT Symposium and GITEX IMPACT.”

On display at the Innovation Lounge was a “carbon capturing dress” created by Central Saint Martins alum Bryan Yeo. He explains, “COzTERRA is a finishing applied on textiles that enables the removal of carbon dioxide from the air and then turns it into harmless minerals in the wash… The design of the dress evolved through extensive sampling of knitwear and experimenting with various yarns and techniques. Overall, the garment took over 100 hours to create and showed that we can create beautiful garments, an ally to fighting climate change through innovation and collaboration.”

PAKT: A New Way Of Extending The Life Of Your Fashion Items

This year’s Vogue Innovation winner was also announced during the gala. PAKT, a Hong Kong-based digital wardrobe service allows customers to store, organize and even resell their clothes. Founder Barbara Yu Larsson elaborates, “PAKT is transforming the wardrobe experience. We’re combining physical archiving, specialty storage with digital convenience using an app and AI features. We want to keep it simple, extending the life of your wardrobe by being organized and sustainable. Conscious consumption is all about knowing what you already own, and making the most of those garments and accessories.”

Apart from the cash prize and an all-expense paid trip to Monaco, tthe Innovation Prize winner will be supported by the Vogue Foundation through specialized workshops, masterclasses, and leadership programs mounted by the Vogue Academy. “They are designed to equip creatives and entrepreneurs with tools they need to lead effectively and create lasting personal and professional impact,” says Bettina. “By fostering environments for learning and collaboration, we ensure that the impact of our initiatives extends beyond individual winners, nurturing a vibrant and sustainable creative ecosystem for the entire industry.”

Everyone in the region is welcome to join the Vogue Singapore x BMW Innovation Prize. Open call for 2025 will be announced on Vogue Singapore’s platforms. “We encourage creatives from a range of disciples to apply–from sustainable fashion designers to tech innovators addressing global challenges.” The criteria: originality, a deep commitment to sustainability, and a clear vision for driving positive change.