After debuting a retrospective exhibition underscoring the notable works of local legacy, designer Andrew Gn, the Asian Civilisations Museum has ramped up its fashion-oriented offerings, this time bringing Fashion Playground: Weekend Festival to life. A first for the institution, the Fashion Playground: Weekend Festival brings together dozens of creatives in the field to a jam-packed weekend itinerary to honour the craft and concept that is fashion.
From 15-16 July, members of the public can expect an experiential immersion in the field of fashion. Held on the grounds of the esteemed museum, the programme will call up prolific and emerging creatives to put together craft workshops, educational experiences and even a shop-pable market for the public. From local textile artist Beadbadwolf to beadwork maven Denise Chong, and a special cameo from the owner of the largest Barbie doll collection in Asia, scroll on to read GRAZIA Singapore’s picks of unmissable highlights at the Asian Civilisations Museum’s inaugural weekend-long fashion festival.
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Make Your Own AGN-Inspired Paper Outfits with Jian Yang of #flushablefashion
Get schooled on the mechanics of paper outfit making by someone who literally wrote a book on it. Jian Yang, author of #FlushableFashion, has chronicled the mechanics and details of upcycled doll couture. And as the owner of the largest Barbie doll collection in Asia, the drop-in sessions available at the weekend festival will provide access to the insights of an experienced doll couturier, allowing participants to craft their very own Andrew Gn-inspired paper outfits.
The Paper Outfit Making workshop with Jian Yang is a complimentary workshop available on 15 & 16 July, from 1-9pm.
The Hat Bar with Beadbadwolf
For those with a knack for design sensibilities, The Hat Bar is a craft session that allows you to flex your creations with pride. Participants can look forward to imbuing their own sense of style into a bucket hat, as guided by local beadwork and textile brand, Beadbadwolf. Embellish to your heart’s delight with beads, charms, patchworks and woodblock prints, to create a bucket hat that truly can be made your own—P.S. You get to keep the hat.
The Hat Bar with Beadbadwolf is a complimentary workshop available on 15 & 16 July, from 1-6pm, while supplies last.
Marketplace: Fashion Insiders Market
To double down on the experiential fashion programming, the ACM is christening its weekend of fashion with a marketplace stocked with the wardrobes of some of the most well-dressed personalities in Singapore. More than 20 local creatives will be hauling down shoppable grails from coveted luxury labels like Miu Miu, Loewe, and Balenciaga. Visitors can also expect to browse through a healthy dose of contemporary, IYKYK pieces from brands like Old Céline, Comme des Garçons, and Dries Van Noten. Of course, with every good deal, the first-dibs policy still applies, so come early to score.
The Marketplace: Fashion Insiders Market is free for the public, available on 15 & 16 July from 2-8pm.
Styling and Photo Studio Set: OTT OOTD
The reemergence of statement pieces is not an unfamiliar trend—hello, chunky necklaces. But for the Fashion Playground: Weekend Festival, the ACM is delving deeper, tapping on labels Denise Chong Adornments and Eskpade Millinery, brands who have exhibited mastery of couture-adjacent creations. Participants can look forward to don the labels in a styling and photo studio setting, to create image keepsakes of their experiences and takes on statement pieces.
The Marketplace: Fashion Insiders Market is free for the public, available on 15 & 16 July from 2-8pm.
Illustration Workshop: Sketch Couture with Gracie Ciao
ACM’s weekend festival programme provides the opportunity for one to fashion themselves as a true creative. For the weekend festival, ACM is commissioning Gracie Ciao, an experienced illustrator whose clientele include brands like Dior, Elie Saab and Tiffany and Co, to host workshops. Participants can anticipate a hands-on craft experience like no other, putting their creative chops to the test in this illustration workshop.
The Illustration Workshop with Gracie Ciao is available on 16 July, from 5-6:30pm, at $10. Participants may register here.
Guided Tours: Andrew Gn: Fashioning Singapore and the World Conserva-Tour
To explore the mechanics of curating, preparing and displaying the Andrew Gn: Fashioning Singapore and the World, opt for the conserva-tour with Chuance Chen. A seasoned textile conservator, Chen breathes an alternate perspective in viewing the exhibition with a behind-the-scenes take on the offerings on display.
The Conserva-tour with Chuance Chen is available on 15 July, at 1-2pm, at $10. Participants may register here.
Fashion Playground Doll Box
If there’s something to love a little more than a weekend jam-packed with fashion elements, history and workshops, it’s a good photo moment. As the weekend festival is held on the grounds of the ACM, visitors can look forward to Barbie-esque photo opportunities, littered around the venue’s external grounds.
The Fashion Playground Doll Box is available complimentary to the public, on 15 & 16 July, all day.
Singaporeans and PRs can also enjoy free entry to the Andrew Gn: Fashioning Singapore and the World special exhibition, while tourists and foreign residents will enjoy a discounted $10 entry. Along with GRAZIA Singapore’s picks, the ACM will also be rolling out ice cream, temporary tattoos and nail wraps, while supplies last. The Fashion Playground: Weekend Festival is presented in conjunction with the Andrew Gn: Fashioning Singapore and the World special exhibition, on view till 17 September 2023.