Singapore, 04 July 2017

For immediate release

Singapore Fashion Runway presents fashion with a socially responsible twist

On August 12, 2017 , with GIVE.asia's help, Singapore Fashion Runway 2017 will present local fashion with a socially responsible twist.

The theme for Singapore Fashion Runway 2017 is Fashion for a Social Cause. The runway show will display works by 13 local and aspiring designers, and modeled by 30 disabled, chronically ill and special needs individuals. There will also be a showcase of creative merchandise sewn by Singapore’s elderly, underprivileged and special needs families.

Some of the models include Aniq Hazim Tahir, who suffers from autism, Pauline Yap, who has Down Syndrome, and Calin Tan, a breast cancer survivor.

Fashion for a Social Cause aims to make the traditionally glamorous industry of fashion an inclusive community, to impact lives and bring joy, happiness and confidence to the ill and aged, who are battling life's challenges.

For the first time since it began in 2015, Singapore Fashion Runway has decided to work with GIVE.asia to raise the necessary funds. Eileen Yap, founder of Singapore Fashion Runway, had to fund the shows and all the efforts herself after SG50, which had provided her with a partial subsidy.

She said: "I decided to use GIVE.asia this time, so that more people who understand Fashion for a Social Cause and the lives we impact can come forward to help. I need the fundings to sustain this dream of many people, especially the sick, ill and the special needs community.

"The funds will be used to help Singapore Fashion Runway organise the show, train the special needs/sick/cancer patients/survivors and more from the challenged sectors so that they can get to realise their dream to be involved in fashion. We also mentor the elderly and the underprivileged in sewing so the funds will be helpful to continue this journey for many people who would not have had the opportunity to be part of the fashion runway show in the past. More importantly, they learn skill sets which will help them to get their talents spotted and possibly become hired in the local industry."

Singapore Fashion Runway 2017: Fashion for a Social Cause

Date: Saturday, 12 August 2017

Time: 4pm-8pm

Venue: *Scape The Ground Theatre, 2 Orchard Link S(237978)

Event background

Singapore Fashion Runway started in 2015, during SG50. It attracted 30,000 visitors to its shows throughout the year, and has since remained a national project where communities in Singapore can come together to bond and learn skill sets through fashion.

Last year, the Singapore Fashion Runway Finale show in December saw Singapore’s para-athletes/medalists like Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh as well as local sports stars turn into runway models at the Singapore Sports Museum.

Singapore Fashion Runway was conceived by Eileen Yap, the founder of local fashion label Noël Caleb and a mother of three young children.