French couture has its Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Now, Asian couture has a federation to call its own.
The Asian Couture Federation (ACF) was launched recently during the 11-day Fide Fashion Week fashion fest as a step towards gathering couturiers from all over Asia and offering them a platform of collectiveness and recognition.
Founded by Fide Fashion Week chariman Dr Frank Cintamani, the federation will recognise established designers with the title Asian Couturier Extraordinaire. The three-tiered membership consists of Senior Members, Invited Members and Designer Members.
The only Singaporean couturier to make the 10-member Senior rung is Frederick Lee, who debuted his couture collection at the recent Amber Lounge party during the F1 weekend.
Four couturiers from Japan join Lee: Junko Koshino, Keita Maruyama, Yoshiki Hishinuma and Yumi Katsura. China’s Guo Pei, whose famous porcelain dress made it onto China’s Miss Universe candidate, is also in the Senior rung.
Other senior members include Philippines’ Michael Cinco, Thailand’s Vatit Itthi and South Korea’s Lie Sang Bong and Songzio.
The federation is chaired by honorary president and fashion luminary Kenzo Takada. The Governors’ Commitee includes fashion heavyweights such as MCM chairperson Kim Sung-joo as well as Bunka Fashion College president Dr Satoshi Onuma.
The self-financed, nonprofit federation mirrors how the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) provides a collective for American designers. Socialite Emily Hwang sits as ACF vice-president and spokesperson. She is also responsible for opening the first MCM store in Singapore at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
Watch the Senior Members and honorary president Kenzo Takada below:
