Remixing fashion and technology

 |   Singapore News Center

Fashion Week season may have come and gone, but we’re are still reeling from the Avant Garde experiments and concepts that hit the runway all over the world – from New York to Milan to our very Singaporean shores.

As the Official Device Partner of Singapore Fashion Week 2016 (SGFW), Microsoft Singapore, along with Intel, partnered celebrated local designer Max Tan to present his latest Spring/Summer 2017 collection, which featured clean-cut and voluminous designs tailored for the soft yet strong modern woman.

That wasn’t all.

A series of events and activities were conducted to further showcase how Microsoft is working with leading designers to break down the boundaries between fashion and technology, as exemplified by our recently announced luxurious Signature Type Cover.

Missed the hustle and bustle of #SGFW? Check out the photo highlights of Microsoft at Singapore Fashion Week below:

Microsoft Surface x MAX.TAN Cocktail Pre-Show @ Tangs

The event saw an open discussion about the collaboration between Singapore Fashion Week, Microsoft Singapore and Max Tan, what inspired Max to create his latest collection, and how technology factors into his everyday creative processes. Max also created a series of limited edition Surface sleeves as part of his partnership with Microsoft. In tan, red and black, the sleeves are a luxe accessory for the fashion-forward.

In addition, guests were also introduced to the new Signature Type Cover for Surface Pro 4 which will be available in Singapore from mid November onwards. Crafted with Alcantara, the Type Cover features a beautiful two-tone grey melange effect, which is soft to the touch and ages beautifully, growing richer and darker over time. Guests were wowed by the luxurious piece of accessory for the Surface, which added a touch of sophistication for the 2-in-1 device which combines the best of a tablet and PC form factor.

Dress for no one but yourself.
Rules are unproductive for me.

In addition, Microsoft kicked off the “Anywhere Generation” community – a rallying cry for today’s risk-takers and multi-taskers who want to be productive as they hustle anytime, anywhere. Andrea Chong, a leading Singapore-based fashion and lifestyle blogger, took up the mantle as one of Singapore’s first “Anywhere Generation” professional.

 

Max Tan X Microsoft Surface Fashion Drawing Workshop @ Tangs

As part of our engagements with the fashion creator community in Singapore, 20 Lasalle College of the Arts students were chosen from a contest conducted by the SGFW team to participate in an exclusive closed-door workshop with Max at Tangs Orchard.

Max spoke about his design processes and how he does so digitally with the Microsoft Surface. The students also had the opportunity to sketch on the Microsoft Surface with the Surface Pen, and had a deeper understanding on how technology can bring about a creation experience similar to the traditional paper and pen setup.

Max also challenged the students in a round of speed drawing, and encouraged the participants to push their limits, pay attention to details and to hone their observation skills in order to grow their design capabilities.

 

Fashion Talks – Microsoft Surface: Fashion x Technology @ Lasalle College of the Arts

On 26 October, the Singapore Fashion Week Fashion Talks Series brought together Max Tan and Rachael Bell, Microsoft’s Colour & Material Designer and lead designer of the Signature Type Cover, on the use of materials in the realms of fashion and technology.

Go out there, be an intern and learn from the environment.

Held at the LASALLE College of the Arts, the session saw Max and Rachael sharing their experiences on fusing design with technology. Attending students and guests had the opportunity to pick the brains of both experts, such as the boundaries of materials and design within the fashion industry, and how they could go about launching their careers.

With the Signature Type Cover, Rachael has successfully fused her eye in fashion design with technology to create a piece that has ignited conversations among the fashion forward. Her discussion on how she chanced upon and used Alcantara for the Signature Type Cover also sparked voracious discussions among attendees on how the material can be used in other design forms.

Rachael also dished out useful tips to the students, sharing her journey from her work at leading fashion houses to her current role at one of the world’s biggest technology companies.

 

MAX-TAN Spring/Summer 2017 runway showcase

The MAX.TAN Spring/Summer 2017 runway show kicked off Day 1 of Singapore Fashion Week’s Fashion Futures showcase, with over 150 fashionable guests in attendance. This season, MAX.TAN tackled the theme of androgyny and the breaking down of boundaries – a concept aligned with the versatile design philosophy behind the Surface line of devices.

Crafted in collaboration with eminent local media and visual artist Ong Kian Peng, Max’s unique showcase highlighted the seamless integration of Surface into the modern woman’s lifestyle. The entire show was accompanied by an original soundtrack based on Windows notification sounds created by award-winning sound designer Darren Ng.

This project is particularly interesting, because it is a symbiosis of tangible and intangible art forms

Guests at the Singapore Fashion Week also had an opportunity to have an up-close look of Surface Pro 4 and the new Signature Type Cover. Against the grand architecture of the National Gallery, guests were able to try their hands and experience the powerful yet portable 2-in-1 device, which has many in awe of the stylish design from Microsoft.

At the side-lines of Fashion Week, we had the chance to sit down and chat with Andrea Chong as well about her work and her thoughts about the Anywhere Generation concept. Be sure to stay tuned so you don’t miss it!

“Just like how technology is shaping the world, for example, it can also help us solve the unique challenges in our industry.” – Max Tan

 


For more information on the Microsoft Surface, visit www.microsoft.com/surface

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