Orchard Road awash with fashion

Over 120 stores, 10 malls presenting FSO2010 to masses

FROM today to May 9, fashion will take centre stage at Orchard Road.

The Orchard Road Business Association (Orba), in partnership with Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and official card MasterCard, will be organising Fashion Season @ Orchard 2010 (FSO 2010) – six weeks of fashion-related events and parties that aim to make fashion accessible to the masses.

FSO 2010 will see more than 120 retail stores and 10 shopping malls along Orchard Road presenting their latest spring/ summer collections of fashion apparel, make-up and hair products.

One of the highlights of FSO 2010 will be the Female and Nuyou Catwalk Collection show, an annual multi-label fashion catwalk.

On April 10, from 7pm to 10pm, 125 models will walk the runway in the latest designs by 10 designer labels including New Look, Vivienne Westwood and alldressedup.

To encompass all aspects of the fashion industry, a street exhibition on fashion photography, styling workshops, a window display contest and a regional modelling competition will also be held during the inaugural fashion extravaganza.

According to the latest MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Purchasing Priorities and Purchasing Resilience, spending on fashion and accessories is the second-most resilient expenditure category in Singapore.

Fashion and accessories was also the third most important spending category.

Leveraging on the importance of fashion and retail, as well as a rejuvenated Orchard Road, MasterCard will be rolling out a series of offers and privileges for cardholders.

According to Andrew Phua, Singapore Tourism Board’s director of tourism shopping & dining, FSO 2010 ‘entrenches Singapore’s position as the fashion and lifestyle capital of Asia’ with its mass appeal events.

‘FSO 2010 will grow to become an annual event,’ said Sng Ngoi May, chairman of Orba. ‘One that will attain a status no lesser than the Orchard Christmas light-up.’

FSO 2010 will be held in conjunction with Asia Fashion Exchange, which aims to develop a strong base of local design talent, stimulate demand for local fashion brands, and position Singapore as a gateway to Asian designers and markets.

Commenting on the upcoming celebration of fashion, Mr Phua said: ‘We hope that shoppers will enjoy this fashion extravaganza and relish this opportunity to shop to their hearts’ content.’

Source: Business Times, 2 Apr 2010