Meet The Next Singapore Creatives From Lasalle College Of The Arts Class Of 2025
It’s traditionally the time of year when tertiary institutions hold their graduation ceremonies. The talents here were all recommended by their respective design schools as the cream of the crop. What they all have in common: sharp ideas, soft power and zero interest in playing it safe. Here’s a look at each of their final‑year projects, or FYPs, as well as attitudes towards pursuing a life in the arts.
PUTRI ADIF, 26, BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONS) IN FASHION DESIGN AND TEXTILES, LASALLE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
Tradition meets technology in Putri Adif ’s final‑year project, which is grounded in her Javanese roots. Think kebaya‑inspired tailoring, 3D‑printed heirloom jewellery, and silhouettes that nod to ancestral memory while looking firmly ahead, exploring what cultural identity can look like in 2025.
ABOUT HER FYP: “The collection began with a deep dive into my ancestry. Through extensive research and conversations with family, I discovered I’m an amalgamation of cultures: primarily Javanese with Peranakan, Indian Malay and Japanese roots. This led me to explore the Javanese diaspora and what it means to be Javanese today. I was particularly drawn to heirloom and traditional jewellery, which I’ve always admired, so I incorporated 3D‑printed versions of such pieces into the collection using contemporary draping and innovative fashion‑cutting. The fabrication, silhouettes and colour palette also reflect this blend of tradition and modernity.”
ON WHETHER FORMAL EDUCATION IS NECESSARY: “It really depends on the role you’re aiming for. Many successful designers have dropped out of fashion school, but most did so to pursue apprenticeships or hands‑on industry experience. However, in Singapore, such opportunities are limited.”
HER IDEA OF SUCCESS AT THIS STAGE IN LIFE: “This is a scary question because I’m not sure what success looks like for me yet. The version of success I imagine still feels far from where I am right now, but I do believe that every achievement along the way is worth celebrating. Maybe at this stage in life, success is more about growth and small wins. I’m just happy to be able to do design as my career path.”
WHAT SHE HOPES TO DO POST‑GRADUATION: “I want to stay curious and keep growing as a designer – the hustle doesn’t stop. I hope to work on personal and collaborative projects, alongside client‑based work that lets me explore themes I care about. And I’d like to gain more industry experience and learn how to balance artistic integrity with real‑world demands. Eventually, I want to contribute back to the
local creative scene, and help build a space where emerging des igners can support and grow alongside one another.”
RAKIN RAMAN, 31, BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONS) IN FASHION MEDIA AND INDUSTRIES, LASALLE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
Rakin Raman’s final‑year project, Biru, is a fashion‑meets‑dance film and publication that explores the complexities of faith, self‑expression and Malay Muslim identity in Singapore. Through personal narratives (both his own and nine other individuals’), curated visuals and honest reflection, it opens up space for conversations around queerness, belief and what it means to belong.
ABOUT HIS FYP: “Biru is a dance/fashion film and publication that explores the space between faith and identity, amplifying the voices of Malay Muslims in Singapore. Rooted in my personal journey, it reflects on what it means to reconcile self‑expression with the expectations of tradition.”
WHAT DREW HIM TO HIS DISCIPLINE: “I had previously studied Integrated Facilities Management at Temasek Polytechnic because it felt like the safe option, and because my parents we ren’t supportive of the arts initially. After that though, I realised that I couldn’t just follow expectations and instead had to do what felt right for me: Art gives soul to the everyday.”
BIGGEST SURPRISE AFTER COMPLETING SCHOOL: “After months of constantly working on my final‑year project, when ever y day was driven by deadlines, feedback and creative adrenaline, I didn’t expect life to feel so quiet. It’s both freeing and unsettling. There’s this sudden shift from structure to uncertainty, and learning how to navigate that mental space has been a cur veball in itself, but it has also been a valuable pause – a moment to recalibrate and ask myself: ‘What do I really want next?’”
ON THE SUPPORT HE HOPES FOR YOUNG ARTISTS: “I wish people would stop gatekeeping. Give emerging creatives proper credit and pay. Agencies and brands can start by offering mentorships, not just internships. And platforms need to be more open to fresh ideas, even if they’re not ‘on trend’. Trust the younger generation a bit more. We’re not here to replace anyone, just to add to the conversation.”
TERRY LIM, 26, BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONS) IN FASHION DESIGN AND TEXTILES, LASALLE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
Rooted in a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and detail, Terry Lim switched from studying business to fashion design, inspired by his mother’s legacy as a Cantonese opera performer and instructor. His final‑year project deftly reinterprets classic silhouettes, weaving the rich, theatrical heritage of Cantonese opera with modern tailoring to explore his cultural roots.
ABOUT HIS FYP: “It was inspired by Cantonese opera, an art form I grew up with thanks to my mother, who was both a performer and an instructor … Growing up in a Westernised society, I’ve come to realise that many of us have embraced Western culture while overlooking our cultural roots. Yet, I believe this duality is a unique strength of being a Singaporean, as it enables us to navigate and appreciate two vastly different perspectives. In this collection, I reimagined elements of my cultural heritage in a contemporary way, blending the essence of Cantonese opera with classic Western tailoring to reflect this dual identity Singaporeans embody.”
ON HIS PRACTICE: “I’m not a designer who favours extravagance. I focus on creating wearable, relatable pieces with subtle unexpected design elements. Honestly, I don’t see myself strictly as a fashion designer. I consider myself more of a creative person in general, since my work spans multiple
disciplines. My art direction is focused on building a conceptual world around the clothes, giving the collection depth and context.”
WHAT DREW HIM TO HIS DISCIPLINE: “I’ve always been drawn to the craftsmanship and details that go into well‑made fashion pieces. They’re akin to art and made me want to understand how they’re created. Having a mum who’s an artist has also made me feel more sure about choosing to follow my passion – I’d already taken the practical route by studying business for my diploma and realised it wasn’t what I wanted for my future.”
A PIECE OF ADVICE FOR OTHER STUDENTS: “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I was always super careful in school because I didn’t want to mess things up, but that cautiousness kind of defeats the whole point of having a safe space to create in. Looking back, I probably could have taken more risks and learnt way more had I just let myself experiment without worrying so much.”
LAU SHI NING, 30, BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONS) IN FASHION DESIGN AND TEXTILES, LASALLE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
Lau Shi Ning’s graduate collection, In Memory, transforms grief into garments, melding blind draping, soft tailoring and traditional techniques in an emotional tribute to her late grandmother
ON HER FYP: “The project began with the question: How do we instil memories into garments? A few weeks into the project, my maternal grandmother – who had lived with me for the past thirty years – passed away. I was plunged into the depths of grief. In mourning, I explored the internal-to-external process through blind drawing and blind draping, a technique developed by my lecturer Lidya Chrisfens. This led to further experimentation in pattern-cutting, draping, and soft tailoring. The resulting womenswear collection, In Memory, is a physical manifestation of introspection, an ode to my late grandmother, and a tribute to love and loss. It is a framed memory – expressed through garments.”
HER PRACTICE: “I see design as a reflection of and response to the world around us… I’m drawn to blending traditional techniques with contemporary interpretations, resulting in bold yet timeless pieces with refined details that reflect the multifaceted conversations between design and art.”
ON THE CHALLENGES SHE EXPECTS AHEAD: “With social media, there’s a growing expectation for greater transparency in design communication whether it’s sharing behind-the-scenes processes or discussing sustainability efforts. The stronger one’s online presence, the more responsibility they bear, and with that comes increased scrutiny and potential pushback, which can be difficult to manage.”
ON THE SUPPORT SHE HOPES FOR YOUNG ARTISTS: “More community support, more grace, more open conversations, and greater space appetite for risk. We need environments where process and experimentation are valued just as much as polished outcomes.”
PHOTOGRAPHY ANGELA GUO ART DIRECTION JONATHAN CHIA HAIR EC TAN/KIZUKI+LIM MAKEUP SARAH TAN
A version of this article first appeared in the July 2025 The Look Of Success Edition of FEMALE