Publication
Harpers Bazaar New Gen Awards 2016
Making the jump from designing menswear to womenswear would intimidate even the most experienced of fashion designers. But 23-year-old Mak rose to the challenge to create a collection that melded masculine tailoring with the exquisite use of fabrics. “At first, it was a real struggle for me because it was difficult for me to imagine a feminine look,” confessed the graduate of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. “But thanks to the judges and mentors who guided me, I quickly got the sense of it. I think being able to understand and visualise both aspects is the hallmark of a good designer.”
How did you start designing the collection?
I was looking through Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches on human anatomy and I was intrigued by his drawings of bone and muscle. I later researched medical books and gathered pictures showing microscopic views of muscles, bone structures and skin textures. I decided to translate those pictures into textiles. Contrasts and gradations formed the underlying concepts for the collection.
What else should we look out for?
The fabrics were made by combining opaque with sheer versions, like they were gradually going from hard bone to soft skin. I also modified colours from the expected red of blood to white, powder pink and lavender with hints of black.
What’s a word that sums up your design philosophy?
Sophisticated. Fabrics are very important to me. I always start with them before designing the garment.
Mens Folio Designer of The Year 2015
In an industry fuelled by demand, it’s tough to find avenues to grow within the fashion business. It is often a case of if you have it, run with it. If you don’t? Well, prepare to be devoured. The regional market has been more forgiving in recent years due to more attention being given to up and coming designers. And on the local front, steps are being taken to groom homegrown labels and budding designers in the name of fostering creativity and enhancing Singapore’s identity as a fashion forward city.
Mens Folio Designer of the year competition is one such initiative, where promising designers receive the opportunity to craft and showcase a collection from the ground up. This year’s instalment saw fresh design concept take the runway, with extremely strong thematic focuses that wow-ed the audiences. The top three- Fedri Mak, Yen Wong, and Jael Ong-impressed the most, though Mak’s modern dandy collection truly stole the show with its innovative prints and his keen eye for detail. As a recent graduate from University of East London, Mak’s momentum in the fashion world is steadily picking up thanks to his constant desire to develop his vision.
Mens Folio Magazine – February 2016
Samsonite International Catwalk Competition
Samsonite International Catwalk Competition
In 2015, Fedri was chosen to participate in Samsonite International Catwalk competition in Graduate Fashion Week, London. He was the only representative from Singapore chosen to take part in this prestigious showcase together with the other 15 countries around the world.
His collection was covered in Vogue Italy and Vogue UK, giving him a great achievement as a fresh graduate.
Other Publication
New Comer: Nu You Singapore Womenswear Award
In 2016 after winning the Harpers Bazaar New Gen, Fedri was chosen by NuYou magazine as the New Comer: Singapore Fashion Design Womenswear Award.
Published in Lian He Zao Bao, Singapore.
Fedri’s diploma graduation collection ” A Portrait from the Gods” has caught the media’s attention stated as bold statement menswear trend setter. He is also given a huge space in the Fashion section together with established Singapore designers.