Orchard Road (or also known as a second home for many of us avid shoppers) is a crowd magnet on weekends. Locals and tourists scurry along a maze of fashion brands, street and high-end, trying not to bump their shopping bags on other passers-by. Good luck finding seats on the benches along the street. They are always occupied by selfie-takers, people-watchers or tired significant others who cannot keep up anymore with the shopping fever.
But, the busy stretch stopped and stared for an hour on Saturday evening, 26 March, as a total of 188 models strutted down Orchard Road. The road has been transformed into an outdoor runway for Fashion Steps Out 2016. The runway showcased designs from five local brands, Mash Up, Raffles Privato, Thomas Wee, Rêvasseur, Sean & Sheila, and three international brands, PHANTACi, Fox Kids and Baby, and UNIQLO.
Fashion Steps Out didn’t feel like just a fashion show. It was more of a fiesta, a celebration of style where casual met edgy, classic met quirky. In between the stern, sleek walks, audience was entertained by upbeat dance numbers and avant-garde Samsung display. One dance number in particular, from Fox Kids and Baby, was met by camera blitz and cheering crowd.
Speaking of cheering crowds, some of them came bearing posters and high hopes to meet their fashion idols. Seated at the front row of the 550 m runway were the celebrities and fashion influencers from Singapore and other neighboring countries: JJ Lin, Aisyah Aziz, Hayley Woo, Keith Png, Iman Fandi, Daniel Mananta (Indonesia), Laureen Uy (Philippines) and Min Chen (Malaysia). This is the first time that Fashion Steps Out invites an entourage of personalities and artistes from the country and around the region.
The celebration didn’t stop even after the last lineup reached the end of the catwalk. The rave lived on till late featuring DJ Hong from Zouk. Onlookers were all invited to the after party of the fashion extravaganza. Fashion Steps Out 2016 will continue until 8 May 2016. Visitors can enjoy a number of fashion installations and events as well as exclusive MasterCard shopping promotions at Orchard.
