From trash to couture

SUSTAINABILITY is a big buzzword in fashion now, as the industry seeks ways to eliminate waste from its production processes as well as halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. While couturiers are already dressing clients in frocks and bags made from recycled materials, the next generation of eco-designers could very well be from Singapore.

Last week, the Trash to Couture fashion design contest organised by real estate company Lendlease challenged designers to transform waste materials into avant-garde apparel, with stunning results. From handbags made of hard hats to veils upcycled from fishing nets, contestants pulled out all the stops to make the most of such unconventional materials. In Friday’s issue of BT Lifestyle, we check out some of the winning looks and the world-class quality and craftsmanship behind them.

Meanwhile in Design, we look at how a couple turned their ageing intermediate terrace into a sanctuary of light and coolness, after decades of living in a dark space blasted directly by the sun’s heat from morning to evening. For art lovers, the Singapore Art Museum has a treat in store with three shows featuring established and emerging artists such as Hito Steyerl, Jane Lee and Moses Tan.

In Dining, food lovers who recently discovered the Michelin-starred cuisine at the one-starred Reve will be able to enjoy chef Kawano Masahiko’s cooking at his own restaurant, Chaleur. Will he be able to reproduce the same level of cooking that won Reve its first star last year? Find out in Friday’s issue of BT.