February 2025
ANW, Hotel x Stuudio Particular, Asian Film Archive, ANAABU, and more
This year kicks off with a dynamic lineup of fashion and cultural highlights. Sejauh Mata Memandang, Toko Didiyo, and ANAABU unveil their Lunar New Year and Eid collections. In Singapore, the Asian Film Archive hosts a screening festival celebrating young talent and exploring the paradoxes within fashion. Meanwhile, in London, Khánh Brice Nguyễn’s costume designs add emotional depth to the ‘Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights’ exhibition at the Wellcome Collection.
‘Through the Grapevine’ is a monthly round-up of fashion events in Southeast Asia, from collection launches to exhibitions, showcases, pop-ups, and more.
Jakarta
ANW’s ‘Year of the Snake’ Collection. Image taken from ANW’s Instagram.
ANW’s ‘Year of the Snake’ Collection. Image taken from ANW’s Instagram.
ANW
’Year of the Snake’ Collection
For its latest collaboration, ANW teams up with multi-brand retail store Pillar to debut their capsule collection, “Year of the Snake”. The brand plays with their signature sheer tulle and floral embroidery, fashioned into a modern cheongsam top in maroon and green-blue asymmetrical shirred dresses, finished with handcrafted flower-shaped button fastenings.
Toko Didiyo’s ‘House of Jade’ Collection. Photo taken from Toko Didiyo’s website.
Toko Didiyo
’House of Jade’ Collection
Since its founding in 2016, Toko Didiyo has been celebrated for its imaginative approach to upcycling, turning vintage tablecloths, handkerchiefs, and deadstock fabrics into singular pieces. For the Lunar New Year, the brand debuts ‘House of Jade’. Eschewing the customary red palette, the designs spotlight embroidered lace and Chinese buttons, with structured drapes and puffy skirts that also double as a dress.
Sejauh Mata Memandang’s ‘Aruna’ Collection. Image courtesy of Sejauh Mata Memandang.
Sejauh Mata Memandang
’Aruna’ Collection
As part of Harper’s Bazaar Indonesia’s event, Celebrating Chinese New Year 2025, Sejauh Mata Memandang unveiled ‘Aruna’, a Lunar New Year collection celebrating Peranakan and Malay influences. Showcased at Hotel Mulia’s Orient 8 Restaurant, the 29-look lineup highlights traditional elements such as Kebaya Encim and Mao-style collars, paired with Sengkang woven fabric and hand-drawn batik prints. Further highlighting the brand’s sustainable approach, it incorporates upcycled denim as well as the brand’s signature patchwork.
Hotel x Stuudio Particular: ‘Finding the Silver Lining’ Collection. Image taken from Stuudio Particular’s Instagram.
Hotel x Stuudio Particular: ‘Finding the Silver Lining’ Collection. Image taken from Stuudio Particular’s Instagram.
Hotel x Stuudio Particular
‘Finding the Silver Lining’ Collection
Since its inception in 2020, Stuudio Particular has been creating unisex, everyday jewellery that balances playfulness with versatility. In collaboration with Hotel, the brand introduces ‘Finding the Silver Lining’—a collection featuring sculpted droplet motifs across rings, earrings, and necklaces. The collection also extends into ready-to-wear pieces, including studded denim pants, pleated shirts and caps.
Singapore
‘Styled & Sutured: Fashion on Screen’. Image courtesy of Asian Film Archive.
Asian Film Archive
Styled & Sutured: Fashion on Screen
18 January to 23 February 2025
Oldham Theatre, Singapore
‘Styled & Sutured: Fashion on Screen’ turns the lens on the influence of clothing on identity. With 17 films—including five 4K restorations from Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) and Tarsem Singh’s The Fall (2006)—the programme examines how fashion liberates, constrains, and transforms. Complemented by an installation and pop-up market by Magazine For Young Girls (MFYG) and a night of poetry and film with Ethos Books, the screenings will run from 18 January to 23 February 2025 at the Oldham Theatre.
More information about the event here.
Kuala Lumpur
ANAABU’s ‘Kongsi Masa’ Collection. Image taken from ANAABU's website.
ANAABU’s ‘Kongsi Masa’ Collection. Image taken from ANAABU's website.
ANAABU
’Kongsi Masa’ Collection
Known for its signature soft androgyny and minimalist precision, Malaysian fashion brand ANAABU works with natural fibres like linen and cotton to create versatile, timeless pieces in neutral tones. For Lunar New Year and Eid, ANAABU introduces its ‘Kongsi Masa’ collection. Highlight pieces include a boxy plaid qipao, a traditional kebaya with an asymmetrical hem detail, smocked skirts and tailored horseshoe pants ideal for both the festive occasion and everyday wear.
Producer: @ariffmdnoor
Art Director: @shasyasham
Photographer: @amania_
Lighting Assistants: @7v7v7v7v7v7v7, @nashr1q, @mohdfirdausmalek
Stylists: @theanaabu, @ayennjamal & Arma Rohana Badrulsham
Wardrobe Assistants: @fatinyhns, @_frwzhlee, @xsyhrh
Make-up Artist: @afierohim
Hair Stylist: @urfavrame
London
‘Hand Graft: Work, Health and Rights’ Exhibition
19 September 2024 to 27 April 2025
Wellcome Collection, London
Currently on display at the Wellcome Gallery in London, ‘Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights’ sheds light on the often-overlooked stories of underrepresented workers navigating precarious and unsafe labour conditions. Among the standout works is ‘Care Chains (Love Will Continue to Resonate)’, a powerful multisensory installation by Vietnamese-Chinese artist Moi Tran. Created in collaboration with UK-based organisation, The Voice of Domestic Workers, the piece combines film, light, sound, and movement to explore the labour of caregiving. Adding to its depth, the costumes—designed by London-based Vietnamese designer Khánh Brice Nguyễn—enhance the interplay of sight and emotion, inviting viewers to reflect more deeply on the unseen dimensions of care work.
The exhibition runs until April 2025. More information about the exhibition here.