By Khong Yawen,
It was an intensely sensual and pulse-pounding affair at Shawna Wu's homecoming show in Singapore on Jan 20. The Singaporean-born, New-York based textile artist held an intimate runway show-slash-rave in collaboration with lighting collective Wildblur at the Kampong Bugis hangout, Lucali BYGB. Titled 'Ooloi', the event paralleled themes of connectivity and transgressive intimacy found in the Xenogenesis series by American sci-fi bigwig Octavia Butler.
The night saw an inclusive cast of models representing various body shapes and gender parading designs from Wu's recent collaboration with e-tailer Ssense as well as her debut lingerie line. Providing the brakes and beats for the night's soundtrack were DJ-slash-producer Wanton Witch; Malaysian DJ rEmPiT g0dDe$ (who will also be performing at the upcoming Alex Blake Cha;rlie music festival); and Soyf§g, resident DJ of Singapore queer collective, Bussy Temple.
Naturally, the crowd embodied the night's theme with their individualistic get ups. Scroll on for snaps.
Who: Ella Wang Olson, multidisciplinary artist
What she is wearing: Thrifted top and pants; hat from a friend; and Ermenegildo Zegna shoes that she customised
Favourite place to shop: "Budapest and Tokyo. In Budapest, I got this crazy biker T-shirt that has a motif of the stone demon from Japanese mythology on it and pockets along the back."
Who: Noyona Biswas, fine arts student
What she is wearing: Hoodie top and necklace that were gifted to her; H&M top; thrifted pants; and Zara boots
Her sense of style: "I like big and baggy outfits that look organic and have a hood. My aunt bought this top for me from Bali as well as this necklace that I'm wearing that was made from the seed of a plant."
Who: Swannie Dean, stylist and art director
What they are wearing: Top that he DIY-ed from stockings; and Morefiend pants
Inspiration behind the look: "FKA Twigs."
Who: Sharmaine Foo, architectural interior designer
What she is wearing: Jacket borrowed from her dad; Cotton On top and skirt; vintage Chanel sunglasses; Chrome Hearts necklace; Balenciaga bag; and Y/Project shoes
If her wardrobe could be filled with one designer: "John Galliano."
Who: Joel Eric, student
What he is wearing: Thrifted sweater that he customised; pants from Shein; thrifted bag from Jalan Jalan Japan; and Timberland boots
Best place to shop at: "I'd say pre-loved shop Jalan Jalan Japan (in Johor Bahru) is the best place to be at; it has a lot of different, quirky things for everyone and every size."
Who: Carolina Aquaro, fashion marketing student
What she is wearing: Top from Carousell; thrifted denim jeans, belt and cap from Vinted; jewellery from her mum; and Lamoda boots
Where she got her jewellery from: "They are all from my late mum – I inherited them after she passed on."