News : Fashion Fest kicks off

The Caten Brothers walked the runway with Estonia supermodel, Carmen Kass with the latest creation from DSquared. The Italian fashion label have a cheeky wit with an urban appeal that is sexy and fierce at the Audi Fashion Festival opening show at the Tent, Ngee Ann City on 28 April 2010. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

SINGAPORE'S bid to become a vibrant fashion hub kicked into high gear yesterday with Milan based label DSquared opening the Audi Fashion Festival (AFF).

Held at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza's Tent@Orchard, the fashion show drew more than 700 guests, several of whom came decked out in DSquared trucker caps and candy-hued sneakers.

Estonian supermodel Carmen Kass strutted her stuff in the show, while German glam rock group Tokio Hotel pumped up the opening night crowd further with a surprise appearance.

Ms Tjin Lee, 36, managing director of Mercury Marketing & Communications, the events management and public relations firm organising the AFF, said: 'The business of fashion needs to be supported by glamour and AFF brings the glamour.'

The AFF, a five-day showcase for international labels such as Roberto Cavalli and home-grown brands like Raoul, is one of the key events under the inaugural Asia Fashion Exchange (AFX) initiative backed by the Singapore Tourism Board, International Enterprise Singapore and Spring Singapore.

The three other events under the AFX umbrella are trade show Blueprint, the Asia Fashion Summit networking event, and design competition Star Creation.

Speaking at an AFF press conference yesterday, DSquared co-designer Dan Caten, 46, said: 'The AFF is a great opportunity for young designers, who need a launching pad like this for a chance to move up.'

Blueprint, which kicks off today, is a trade event showcasing 36 local and 18 international up-and-coming labels to 110 buyers from top retailers like London's Liberty department store and American luxury retail chain Neiman Marcus.

Minister of State (Trade and Industry, and Manpower) Lee Yi Shyan, who was the guest of honour, and MPs Michael Palmer and Zaqy Mohamad attended the Blueprint Preview Party last night. They showed their support for local designers by wearing clothes from Raoul.