This year, ICON celebrates its 19th anniversary with the ICON BALL 2024 held at Shangri-La Singapore, on 30 April 2024. Themed “Be Iconic, Dare to Stand Out,” the ICON Ball was an evening of unmatched opulence with celebrities including Fiona Xie, Chen Yixin, Glenn Yong, Tyler Ten, and close to 300 guests donning the latest haute couture from the latest runway or crafted by top local designers.
ICON magazine is a leading luxury lifestyle publication in Singapore, celebrated for its elegant blend of fashion, art, and culture. Each issue showcases in-depth profiles of influential personalities and covers the latest trends in high society.
“We wanted the theme this year to raise the bar on the extraordinary,” Editor-in-Chief, Sylvester Ng elaborates, “celebrate individuality in all its many creative self-expressions, and create a truly outstanding gala event bar none. ‘Be Iconic, Dare to Stand Out,’ so aptly captures a bold, fearless spirit, a dynamic verve for one’s own unique sophisticated style and a call to many possibilities and expressions of what iconic means.
The ICONS series is a fitting embodiment of the publication’s paean to expression, spotlighting eight local masters who have made global impacts and embody the spirit of passing down craftsmanship.
Redefining local fashion with Cheongsam-inspired designs
Goh Lai Chan
Goh Lai Chan, a self-taught designer, began his fashion journey by designing wedding gowns and evening dresses. Over time, he shifted focus to cheongsams, establishing his brand LAICHAN. His work emphasises innovation, incorporating materials like Japanese fabrics to enhance the cheongsam’s practicality for modern life.
Goh’s unique approach includes integrating Western sewing techniques like bias cutting to improve the cheongsam’s fit and comfort. His designs retain traditional elegance while offering contemporary functionality, making them suitable for various occasions beyond formal events.
Priscilla Ong Shunmugam
Priscilla Ong Shunmugam, also self-taught, founded her brand, Ong Shunmugam, in 2010. Her designs blend traditional Asian elements with modern fashion trends, creating pieces that resonate with contemporary women. She uses traditional Southeast Asian textiles and incorporates modern styles, such as athleisure and off-shoulder designs, to make cheongsams appealing to younger generations.
Priscilla’s work reflects her multicultural background and explores her identity through fashion. Her designs have gained international recognition, and she continues to push boundaries by promoting Southeast Asian heritage through innovative fashion.
Illuminating the World Stage Through Photography
Chua Soo Bin
Chua Soo Bin, 91, is a legendary figure in Singaporean photography. Born in 1932 on Arab Street, his journey began at Papineau Studios Advertising while studying part-time at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. He purchased his first camera at 18, joining the Singapore Camera Club, leading to a 70-year photography career. Chua’s work spans salon photography, advertising, and significant projects like the “Legends” series, capturing portraits of 14 renowned Chinese ink masters.
Chua emphasises the importance of capturing genuine emotions and moments, preferring film photography for its authentic touch. His residence displays a prized black-and-white photo of Winston Churchill by Yousuf Karsh, reflecting his admiration for portrait photography.
Russel Wong
Russel Wong, known for photographing 16 TIME magazine covers, started his career unexpectedly by trading a photo of an athlete for Nike shoes. His portfolio includes portraits of Hollywood stars and sports icons. Wong’s approach involves thorough preparation and building trust with subjects, capturing their natural essence quickly.
Wong’s 13-year project documenting Kyoto’s geisha community culminated in the “Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto” exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum. His style is characterised by masterful use of light and shadow, influenced by Caravaggio and Japanese woodblock prints.
Both photographers stress the enduring importance of natural light and maintaining the authenticity of their subjects, even as digital technology advances. Their dedication to the craft ensures their work remains timeless and impactful.
Taking Singapore Jazz to the World Stage
Jeremy Monteiro
Known as the “King of Swing,” Jeremy Monteiro has dedicated 46 years to jazz, shaping Singapore’s jazz scene and gaining international recognition. Growing up in a musical family, he began his career at the Country Club Hotel and rose to prominence after his performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1988. Jeremy has released over 40 jazz albums and co-founded the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS) to protect creators’ rights. He also founded the Jazz Association Singapore (JASS) to promote jazz and nurture new talent.
Joanna Dong
Joanna Dong, dubbed the “Jazz Diva,” has brought jazz to Greater China, making it more accessible. She started singing in English but found emotional resonance in Mandarin, her mother’s language. Her breakthrough came in 2017 on “The Voice of China,” where her jazz adaptations caught the public’s eye. Despite facing the burden of the “jazz diva” title, she continues to innovate, blending jazz with new genres to keep it relevant. Her multifaceted career includes theatre, television, and film, showcasing her versatility and commitment to the arts.
Immortalising Singapore’s National Flower and Cityscape
Lee Hock Moh
Known for his exquisite depictions of orchids, Lee Hock Moh graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and combined Eastern and Western techniques. His intricate brushwork and vibrant compositions have made him a revered figure in the art world. His works capture the essence of Singapore’s national flower, the orchid, with a unique blend of traditional Chinese and Western painting methods. Lee’s dedication to his craft is evident in his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to infuse life into his subjects. His pieces are not only visually stunning but also culturally significant, reflecting the rich heritage of Singapore.
Ling Yang Chang
Ling Yang Chang, a third-generation artist, integrates various subjects from daily life into his paintings, including flowers, fruits, and urban landscapes. His innovative “cityscape” series transforms buildings into mountain ranges and bustling streets into flowing rivers. Ling’s approach to art is characterised by his willingness to experiment with different techniques and styles, resulting in a diverse and dynamic body of work. His paintings often feature a harmonious blend of reality and imagination, inviting viewers to explore the beauty of both the natural and man-made worlds.
Both artists emphasise the importance of a solid foundation in traditional techniques while encouraging innovation and creativity. Their works serve as a testament to the evolving landscape of Singaporean art and the enduring power of visual storytelling.
