Porcelain

By Joseph Koh and Ryan Lee, in collaboration with LASALLE BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Textiles students, and
Lembu Rd, 208450
Fri 19 Jan 2024, 7:00pm – 9:30pm

About

Porcelain is a fashion showcase featuring garments made by LASALLE’s Year 2 BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Textiles students, directed and styled by experienced stylists, Joseph Koh and Ryan Lee. Catch fashion models showcsing the garments as they take the centre stage at ARTWALK’s Opening Night and Block Party.

In an era marked by rapid technological progress, the very essence of heritage is teetering on the brink of obscurity. The appellation of this fashion showcase eloquently underscores the fragility of our heritage’s preservation in today’s digital dominated landscape. Porcelain, borne out of the ingenuity of youths, emerges as an intervention – an attempt to breathe new life into heritage by redefining its significance.

Stylist Ryan Lee interweaves the thematic elements of myth and rituals from the garments with modern subcultures like grunge and punk, reintroducing heritage with a contemporary twist, seamlessly fusing the past and present. The clinical visual elements evident in the styling and photographic compositions by Joseph Koh imparts a sense of healing and mending, suggesting an urgent need to ‘save heritage.’ As heritage stands at the crossroads of digital evolution, Porcelain emerges as a testament to how culture can remain resilient and adaptable in the face of technological flux.

Joseph Koh and Ryan Lee, in collaboration with LASALLE BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Textiles students

Joseph Koh

Joseph Koh, aka badsoju, is a 24-year-old fashion photographer based in Singapore, known for his cinematic portraits showcased on Instagram. As a self-taught photographer who transitioned from being an aspiring architect, Joseph has seamlessly incorporated architectural design principles into his compositions.

Joseph’s fashion photography has earned him recognition. His portfolio includes collaborations with Vogue Korea, and his work has been featured in Vogue Singapore and Female magazine. He has also produced his own self-published photography art book titled Damsel.

What sets Joseph apart is not just his photographic skill but his philosophy on style – he believes it emanates from an individual's innate boldness and confidence. In his images, he seeks to capture this intangible essence, celebrating the unique beauty of each subject.

Ryan Lee

Ryan is a 19-year-old Singapore-based fashion maven who navigates the realms of photography and styling. Currently studying marketing and communications at Singapore Polytechnic, Ryan discovered his passion for photography in 2020, using it as a platform for his unique visions of non-conformism and exaggeration in fashion.

His portfolio boasts collaborations with publications such as Vogue Korea, Female magazine, Nuyou, Weverse as well as The Salvages, Pras The Bandit, Lasik Industries and Milieu. Each photograph is a narrative, a rebellion against norms, encapsulating grit and punk aesthetics.

To Ryan, every piece of clothing holds the potential to challenge convention and make a bold statement. A rising force in Singapore's fashion scene, Ryan's work goes into the unconventional, redefining narratives one outfit at a time.

(Featured garments made by — Vanshika Bhatnagar, Nham Khiet Giang (Gillian), Jane Blithe Simorangkir, Jessica Christy, Terry Lim Pei Yuan, Putri Nadiah Binte M Adif, Natashya Aurell, Nguyen Dong Bach (Brian), Huang Shiqi)