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Amid changing trends, Singaporean designer Lai Chan sticks with tradition

Singaporean designer Lai Chan will be opening this year’s Singapore Fashion Week. (Photo: Lai Chan)
Singaporean designer Lai Chan will be opening this year’s Singapore Fashion Week. (Photo: Lai Chan)

Having designed elegant outfits for local celebrities such as Joanne Peh and Jesseca Liu, designer Lai Chan is definitely no stranger to Singapore’s fashion industry. This year, the designer – dubbed by some as ‘the grand dame of the cheongsam’ – will be opening the annual Singapore Fashion Week, which runs from 26 to 28 October.

Ahead of the event, Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore caught up with the designer, who spoke about his love for the traditional Chinese dress.

1. Can you tell us how you started out as a fashion designer in Singapore?

I started designing when I was an 18-year-old student in the ’80s. I would design cocktail dresses for my friends to party in, evening gowns and wedding gowns for brides and family.

2. What do you love most about the qipao?

I love that it has a certain inherent quality of dignity. Any woman who puts on a qipao composes herself – she is immediately elegant and dignified. More importantly, women of any age, shape, size and race can wear a qipao so beautifully. It is all in the correct cut and carriage.

3. You’ve been chosen to open this year’s Singapore Fashion Week. How do you feel?

I am truly humbled and blessed to have been invited to open Singapore Fashion Week. It is an important responsibility; I am honoured and take it seriously. I am but one of the many fellow Singaporean designers who cares about the local fashion industry. We certainly hope for and work towards SGFW garnering attention and bringing commercial success.

Photo: LAICHAN
Photo: LAICHAN

4. What can we expect from your show at this year’s SGFW?

Fashion changes, and is relevant to times and lifestyle. However, there has to be a certain quality of style that never changes – a certain style that stays true to one’s personality and flair. In my latest collection, I feature the woman who is herself. She is well-travelled and has a mind for what she likes; she feels good the way she wears them, and she inspires. This is how ‘New Millennials’ dress, regardless of age.

5. What are your favourite qipao trends right now?

My favorite qipao trend has always been what I have done all these years. It is in the cut and proportion. The cut is such it drapes gently along the body silhouette and flatters. This technique and cut makes the qipao contemporary and physically comfortable. However, right now, my favourite qipao trend is wearing it with a cape. I love how it is trendy yet versatile, and adds so much fun to the qipao.

6. Complete this sentence: More women are wearing the cheongsam/qipao because…

Having understood more of the world and their identities, it is time to deepen their own roots and culture.

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