Priscilla Tan: The future of local fashion

Priscilla Tan boasts an impressive resume. Internships at fashion magazines, a job at homegrown label Swirl, and a stint at high street fashion giant Topshop in London. If that’s not enough to send women queuing for her clothes, the 24-year-old’s one of the 25 designers who will be launching her own label at Parco@Millenia.

CNNGo talks to the young designer-entrepreneur on what led her to fashion.

CNNGo: You worked with local fashion label Swirl and won an internship with Topshop at Fresh-The Graduate Showcase two years ago. With these under your belt, why did you still join Parco@Millenia Fashion Incubator program?

Priscilla Tan: The experiences I had with Swirl and Topshop were very valuable and precious to my fashion journey, but I’m young and lack the experience to build my own label. I jumped at the opportunity to be in this project as I’ll be getting industry guidance and insights into running my own business. It’s also exciting to be among the first batch of designers who’ll be able to get our own retail space at a subsidized rent to showcase our work in a group environment. This creates a space for consumers to come by Parco@Millenia specially for local fashion.

CNNGo: What’s this experience like?

Tan: The majority of designers in this project are around my age and I love meeting up with them to share our experiences. It helps that we understand each others' struggles. Everyone’s been very supportive and encouraging. It's great to have a design community that believes in the future of local fashion; that in itself is a big motivation.

CNNGo: So, Chalk -- what's the story behind the name of your label?

Tan: I've loved sketching and creating design pieces ever since I was little. Fashion designing was naturally the next step after I finished my school education. When I was brainstorming a name for my own label, I knew that self-expression was the key to what I wanted my brand to be. I chose Chalk because it’s my medium of expression, of translating ideas into form.

Priscilla Tan

CNNGo: As a local designer, what do you love most about Singaporean fashion?

Tan: I love Singapore fashion for its unique identity due to our cosmopolitan environment and strong Asian values. You instinctively know a Singaporean piece is from Asia although you may not realise that it’s from Singapore. It stands on its own even when placed with, say, European designs.

CNNGo: What do you wish customers understood about buying local fashion?

Tan: I think the main issue that local fashion designers face is the reluctance of customers to pay for Singaporean designs. There is a price war between high street or designer brands and us. Customers are less willing to fork out money for a unique limited edition local designer creation compared to a high street label dress or bag.

CNNGo: Some of these customers may claim that local designers too expensive.

Tan: There’s a reason why many of our designs are usually priced from S$99 to S$299: Our production quantity is very exclusive. Some of us make only six pieces for every design. Most fabrics are also sourced and produced here where workmanship is costlier. I hope customers will appreciate and support our creative process. Each design from a local fashion designer is created from scratch with love.

CNNGo: Your current collection Miss Dottie Bow is currently available in selected boutiques. What can we expect from you when with the opening of Parco@Millenia later this year?

Tan: Chalk will be launching our second collection with the opening of Parco@Millenia next April. It will be completely different, with a color palette and fabric choices suited for Spring. I hope the collection will bring a smile to people who see it!

getting there

Chalk is currently available at To The Nines at #05-03 Orchard Central, Soon Lee at 56 Haji Lane, Epitome at 14C Kensington Park Road and Odette at #02-29 Chevron House. You can also visit www.ilovechalk.com to purchase online and for more information.