Last week, the Sands Expo and Convention Centre welcomed the eighth edition of Singapore Stories, the flagship initiative by the Singapore Fashion Council (SFC) that celebrates diversity and forward-thinking design. This year’s theme, Fashion Futures, brought together ten designers from Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Australia. Each was challenged to create a capsule of five looks, amounting to 50 designs that asked how fashion might answer the demands of tomorrow—be it through sustainability or invention.
Each designer approached the theme differently, but the showcase as a whole revealed a shared drive to redefine what responsibility and invention can look like on the runway, underscoring the broader message of the evening. For Zhang Ting-Ting, Chief Executive Officer of SFC, the showcase underscored what lies ahead. “The future of fashion is one of purpose and innovation. These designers have pushed creative boundaries while developing bold approaches to challenges like sustainability. It’s proof that creativity and circularity can co-exist.”
The evening concluded with the announcement of the winners: Celest Thoi, whose collection featured 3D-printed orchids sewn into fabric as a tribute to the Vanda Miss Joaquim and her Singaporean roots, was named the overall winner. The first runner-up title went to Aurelia Carissa, with Tifanny Bophadavy Doche securing second runner-up.
“These designers have pushed creative boundaries while developing bold approaches to challenges like sustainability. It’s proof that creativity and circularity can co-exist.”
The evening also introduced the winners of the Every Body Matters Inclusive Design Fashion Competition, an extension of the Fashion Futures theme. Thirty-eight designers applied, supported through workshops and mentorships before unveiling their ideas. Among the honourees were UK designer Sheila Langton of EBIB, whose label champions body positivity; Brazil’s Charllene Santos, who works at the intersection of sportswear and social impact; and Tokyo Mode Gakuen students Yuhan Li, Yuanpu Ai and Yarlin Ng, recognised for their wearable tech creations. Singapore Stories 2025 closed on a note of optimism, the event being a strong proof that when designers imagine and innovate with care—for both people and planet—fashion becomes a vessel of change. Below, see the five standout designers from Singapore Stories 2025.
1 / 5
Celest Thoi
Crowned the audience-vote winner at Singapore Stories 2025, Celest Thoi turned her capsule into personal mythology. Her collection wove 3D-printed orchids into fabric, a delicate tribute to the Vanda Miss Joaquim and her Singaporean lineage. It read as a visual sonnet, rooted in heritage while reaching toward innovation. “Winning Singapore Stories 2025 feels like a full-circle moment,” she shared. “This collection carries a personal connection to my heritage, and I hope it inspires others to design from their own stories.”
2 / 5
Aurelia Carissa
First runner-up Aurelia Carissa presented The Garden, a collection inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement and its emphasis on the value of making. Quirky animal motifs were hand-beaded and cross-stitched onto surfaces of brocade and upcycled lace, reinforcing her commitment to detail and craftsmanship. By highlighting the human labour behind each piece, Carissa positioned her collection as a response to both ultra-fast fashion and the rise of AI-generated art.
3 / 5
Revivre Studio
As second runner-up, Cambodian designer Tifanny Bophadavy Doche showcased her label Revivre Studio with a capsule centred on adaptability and upcycling. Deadstock fabrics were reworked into multi-functional garments, such as jackets that converted into tote bags and tops that could be worn in multiple ways. The approach reflected Revivre’s philosophy of combining sustainability with personal expression, encouraging consumers to see clothing as long-lasting and versatile rather than disposable.
4 / 5
Putri Adif
Showcasing her collection Eka, Singaporean designer Putri Adif presented a collection that fused artisanal craftsmanship with computational design. Kebaya-inspired garments were reimagined through 3D printing and paired with heirloom-style jewellery, creating pieces that drew from her Javanese heritage while embracing modern fabrication techniques. Supported by collaborators Baëlf Design, Jess Boubie and Bali Sekar Pramata, the capsule illustrated her focus on cultural preservation, sustainability and longevity.
5 / 5
Khaar
From Vietnam, Khaar introduced Rice/Rise: From Fields to Pixels, a collection that used upcycled rice sacks, instant noodle packaging and fabric scraps to comment on the country’s agricultural traditions and its role as a global source of textiles and food. Oversized silhouettes were inspired by water buffalo, complete with macramé and knotted detailing that referenced rural farm practices. Patterns of black-and-white gingham were contrasted with iridescent colours, recalling the shift from analogue television to digital screens and positioning the collection as a moving living record of Vietnamese culture.
