Epson, a global leader in professional printing, collaborated with the ASEAN Fashion Designers Showcase (AFDS) to debut the ASEAN International Fashion Week (AIFW) at Singapore's ArtScience Museum. This inaugural event aimed to celebrate and highlight the unique styles and diversity across the ASEAN region while emphasizing sustainable practices in textile printing.
The event attracted over 850 attendees, including members of the public, designers, and industry partners. Epson partnered with 11 AFDS designers to present the Epson Runway Show, featuring pieces created using Epson’s SureColor series printers. These printers, such as the SureColor F6430 and SureColor F9430H, showcased how digital textile printing technology can facilitate sustainable fashion. The designs illustrated innovative approaches to eco-conscious fashion, utilizing dye-sublimation printers known for their high quality and minimal environmental impact.
During the event, Siew Jin Kiat, Regional Managing Director at Epson Southeast Asia, highlighted the collaboration with renowned Japanese designer Yuima Nakazato. Nakazato's avant-garde collection demonstrated advancements in sustainable printed fabrics enabled by Epson’s direct-to-fabric digital printing technology.
In addition to the runway shows, Epson and AFDS hosted a panel discussion focusing on sustainability in fashion and technology. The discussion, moderated by Neva Weber, International PR and Media Director of ASEAN International Fashion Week, featured industry leaders like Desmond Gay from Epson Southeast Asia and international figures from fashion weeks worldwide. Key topics included Epson’s innovations in reducing water consumption and achieving carbon-negative operations.
The event also featured a Pop Up Store where attendees could experience and purchase runway pieces. Epson showcased its textile printers, engaging the public with demonstrations of their capabilities in textile and gift production.
Derek Tan, Head of Sales and Marketing at Epson Singapore, expressed Epson's commitment to driving positive change in the fashion industry through innovation and technology. Hayden Ng, President Founder of AFDS, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their shared vision for sustainable fashion practices.
The ASEAN International Fashion Week not only celebrated regional creativity but also promoted a sustainable future for fashion through technology and collaboration.
