Singapore Fashion Scene - Trendsetter or trend follower?

Nowadays, Singapore fashion has been evolved from the previous time. When we flashback to Singapore fashion in 5 years ago maybe captured more casual and conservative, however, recently they are getting better in term of how they dress up and express themselves. In this 5 years time, all genre of fashion including high-end, urban, or street fashion are affecting fashion Singapore more. Yes, shopping, as is said, is a national pastime in Singapore and evident from the crowds that throng the city-state's malls every day. “When people start earning money they start buying brands that show that and over time, they move away from just the logo. Shoppers are more focused on what they see as a good product and good value,” said Miranda Lindsay-Fynn from Door Step Luxury. Now, market demand has changed and brings Singapore to a new level of behavior. See how this people describes Singapore fashion;

(Clicknetwork, 2016)

Along through the changes of market perspective, fashion event is another reason of Singapore fashion development. A lot of big fashion events happened in Singapore, inspired and make influence to public fashion. For example; Fashion Steps Out as a massive fashion parade in Orchard Singapore might inspire people of how fashion industry has been growing up and exist for everyone. Another example of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week or Audi fashion week, show a new trend of fashion comes together with innovation technology.

(Allsense, 2015)

Being trendsetter means being the source that known and followed by people, in contrary, trend follower is people who inspired from those sources. For me, Singapore fashion style has improved and this proved by how enthusiastic people towards fashion events. Research to show “Over 20,000 people attended Singapore Fashion Week in 2013, up from 13,000 in 2012.” However, through out all of this facts, I believe that Singapore is still considered as trend follower since it is a multicultural country and every race in this country has his or her own style of fashion. It is hard to recognize which one is the initial style and create an imaginary own fashion in people’s mind.

From innovation adoption curve, there are 5 stages to people adopt some trend. In Singapore, the innovation stage usually comes from other’s country as well as artist Hollywood, K-pop, Fashion week or international blogger while other fashion leader’s countries such as Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Paris, etc. adapt their own trend and recognize by most of people around the world. In the early adopter step, here are local bloggers such as Xia Xue or Bong Qiu Qiu, Social Media, or even Clicknetwork.com as a YouTube show will adopt that trend first and share it to public. Next step to early majority people will access it as part of the trend. In the end, the influencer come from other country, people follow other style in which Singapore finally considered as trend follower.

(DJL, 2014)

(Clicknetwork, 2016)

Another supporting statement due to Singapore has limited number population yet local designers to drive this country into international stage. The local people infrequently wear their local product due to a lot of international product offer in market (perhaps 2:10 local designer vs fast fashion). For example, Keepers are pop up store based on local designer. People prefer to buy fashion piece from H&M or other fast fashion brand that is more affordable. Here we realize that Singapore market tend to buy product that more affordable and sustainable.

(Tatarian, 2015)

This is opposite to Korea, most of their people have high sense of nationalism. Korean loves their product! This brings them to become a trendsetter or fashion gate of Asia. The way people wear their product and introduce it to the world make people remember their style and slowly formed their style as a new trend to follow. They are unique in term of fashion style such as K-Pop ranging from street style to high fashion. Started from music videos, which are in high definition and wearing lavish street urban accessories and drool-worthy ensembles, their wacky hairstyles, unique style and make-up changes every time they release or promote a new album or product. The believe of this unusual look finally bring Korea to the international fashion and one of Asia’s Leading Fashion Capital.

(Pinterest, n.d)

Thus, Singapore has broken into the Top 10 list of Top Fashion Capitals of 2011, the inconsistency bring it back to number 18 in 2012. It shows that Singapore actually be able to show their fashion to the world. However, there are some limitation that proved Singapore now is still become trend follower.