Leica Opens New Store at Mandarin Gallery

Hi Huneybees,

Over the weekend, the legendary German camera and sport optics brand, Leica launched their new store in Orchard Road at Mandarin Gallery.

“The Leica Store Mandarin Gallery creates another space for Leica enthusiasts to engage and explore the world of photography. With a complete showcase of Leica products in an inspired setting, it is perfect for Leica fans, professional photographers and new Leica lovers to exchange conversations and their fascination for photography.” --- Sunil Kaul, Managing Director of Leica Camera Asia Pacific.

About Leica Camera

With a long heritage of over 162 years in quality German engineering Leica hand-crafts the world’s finest cameras, the world’s most brilliant lenses and sport optic tools. We capture and preserve memorable moments for the world with customer-orientated, inspirational, premium solutions. Leica helps transform vision into personal creative fulfilment, in many cases nurturing a fervent passion for expression that spans the decades. 

Leica Camera has been in the frontline of photojournalism and related activities be it the Oskar Barnack Award  for high quality reportage photography or presenting photographs taken by international photographers through its galleries that offer access to life’s hidden stories. In Germany, we build the world’s finest cameras and nurture the true, iconic soul of photography.

Let's go take a look at the store?

The store is the first Leica concept store along the popular shopping belt on Orchard Road. A knowledgeable and enthusiastic team of retail and photographic professionals will deliver expert information and advice to create the finest customer experience. Serving as an access into the world of Leica Camera, the Leica Store Mandarin Gallery features a Leica wall for interested clients to feature their exhibitions, equipped with an imaging station that hosts the latest software and pro-quality photo printer.

The Leica Store at Mandarin Gallery provides customers with the full line-up of the latest and ever limited editions Leica products.

The evening affair was graced by close friends of Leica Camera. Featuring photographs from Leica users, professional photographers and local personalities. Mathias Heng, lead instructor of the Leica Akademie showcased a series of black and white images produced from the new Leica M Monochrom. Economist and investment banker, Gul Chotrani and passionate photographer, Luciano Checco supported the event with images shot with their Leica S2 and Leica M9 respectively. Veteran banker and super car enthusiast, Lung as well as the very stylish fashionista Tjin Lee made their exhibition debut with the Leica X2 and Leica V-Lux 40.

 Works of Mathias Heng

 Works of Luciano Checco 

 

Works of Tjin Lee

About Leica Akademie

Established in Germany in 1938, the Leica Akademie continues Leica’s long tradition of photographic education through a series of workshops and lectures.

Leica Akademie Asia Pacific offers experiential workshops offered in cities and countries across the Asia Pacific region. The Akademie's goal is to increase the fun and enjoyment of photography, expand photography knowledge and bring the total Leica experience to a new generation of photographers.

Whether you are an experienced Leica photographer or a novice, there is no better way to learn Leica, than the Leica Akademie. The Akademie offers a wide range of programs throughout the year.

Please log on to www.akademie.leica-store.sgfor more details and to register for the activities.

 Works of Gul Chotrani

Works of Lung

Aligned to Leica Camera’s commitment to enhance the enjoyment of photography, Leica Camera Asia Pacific is pleased to announce the launch of the Leica Akademie programme in Asia Pacific. Led by instructor Mathias Heng, interested participants will learn to capture the decisive moment while expanding their photographic knowledge. Registration for classes starts now, interested participants can register online at www.akademie.leica-store.sg.

Cameras from Leica....

 

 

Every camera has its appeal but the ones that drew crowds were the...

 

Leica M9-P “Edition Hermes”

And the Leica S2.

 

They were a lust for and if you would like to know more, do drop by the Leica Store at Mandarin Gallery that is open for seven days a week.

For more information, kindly visit www.leica-store.sg

MANDARIN GALLERY

Address: 333A Orchard Road Mandarin Gallery #01-18 Singapore 238897

Store Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm

Contact: Tel: 6733 0118
Email: mandaringallery@leica-store.sg

Audi Fashion Festival - Singapore Designers Showcase

Hi Huneybees,

With my idol, Ms Elim Chew, before the show.

I attended the inaugural Singapore Designers Showcase at the Audi Fashion Festival last week. 3 local designers had their collections showcased - a.w.o.l. (all walks of life) by Alfie Leong, SATURDAY by Nic Wong/Daniel Loh and DEPRESSION by Kenny Lim/Andrew Loh.

All 3 of them rocked the runway with 15 looks each from their upcoming Fall/Winter 2012 collections, which will only be launched for retail in the 4th quarter of the year.

The show was put together by Mr David Wang, Vice President (Designers and Retailers Group) of the Textile and Fashion Federation (TAFf), who said that what makes the mix interesting is that the designers all have very distinct design signatures and effectively represent 3 "generations" of Singapore fashion.

"International buyers come for the Audi Fashion Festival because they are keen to see what this part of the world has to offer, what our point of difference is. We should be putting forward something they won't get at many other fashion weeks - great Singapore labels" --- Mr David Wang

I'm so proud of them, most of the audience left with compliments and intentions of getting the pieces off the runway. So let's get the show started!

SATURDAY kickstarted the show with models marching down the runway, creating the all so impressive entrance.

The first show was by SATURDAY. Established in 2009, SATURDAY is the latest creation by veteran fashion designer Nic Wong and Daniel Loh. SATURDAY weaves a strong identity with its quirky take on classic forms.

Left: Daniel Loh
Right: Nic Wong

The label celebrates the imperfect, the impermanent and the incomplete, keeping the pieces minimal and effortless, wile taking a pragmatic approach in clothes making. Their personal take on aesthetics and experimentation in the production process results in clothing that reflects an evolving aesthetics; not just about making things different, but making things better.

SATURDAY's Fall/Winter 2012 womenswear collection, Collapsible, features jersey pieces - a long standing focus for the brand - as well as woven pieces. Another highlight is the extension of its premium knit collection with fine merino wool. Materials have been selected to allow for variations in layering, allowing individual pieces to be adapted for the climate.

The second designers were DEPRESSION. I have featured them earlier on their 'CLOUDING OF CONCIOUSNESS' collection and now introducing their Fall/Winter 2012 collection - 'PLASTIC SURGERY' - a tongue-in-cheek take on clothes, imagining them as body parts, incorporating quick fixes, the designers allow the wearer to detach, peel off layers and reconstruct each piece to invent new silhouettes.

Riding on the heels of the label's successful collection of shoes, DEPRESSION also showed a new collection of leather footwear. Another thing I love would be their accessories, be it a hat or a necklace, there were alot of details and that's what I call statement pieces!

Pictures without the watermark is credited to DEPRESSION.

Designers Kenny Lim and Andrew Loh of DEPRESSION.

And last but not least, the womenswear label a.w.o.l. (all walks of life). 

The label was created by veteran designer Alfie Leong in 2004 to give everday people a dose of originality and refinement. a.w.o.l's designs and silhouettes are unconventional, but the Alfie remains true to providing details that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

a.w.o.l. had local celebrity model, Sheila Sim wearing the first stunning piece.

In addition to Singapore, the label is stocked at multi-label stores located in Bahrain, Beirut, India, Kuwait, Melbourne and USA. For the Fall/Winter 2012 collection, a.w.o.l. presents Opposite Lives, a line that is inspired by the various roles women play and celebrates everyday heroines.

With Alfie's signature fusion of East and West, the boundary between creativity and practicality is blurred, with elements that include everything from gold leather and fleece to specially-designed printed silk and fine cotton knits.

Pictures without the watermark is credited to a.w.o.l.

Designer Alfie Leong of a.w.o.l.

After the show, I caught up with a few friends and local celeb, Nat Ho for some photos.

A few designers of Parco next Next. Stay tuned to my next post on the Parco next Next show... 

Local designers are taking over the fashion scene and they are definitely world class standard. Let's all support local talents!

More photos of the runway can be seen here.