From The Straits Times    |

Fashion Steps Out with beach babes and summer styles on Orchard Road

The finale walk for the Orchard Fashion Runway. Image: Orchard Road Business Association

For a precious hour on the night of April 5, 2014, traffic was closed off on Orchard Road for this spectacular fashion runway.

And this 660 metre-long Orchard Fashion Runway did indeed turn up the heat last Saturday, not only with its sizzling hot tarmac road but also with its beautiful bevy of 150 models in swimwear, gowns and Spring Summer 2014 fashion.

Fashion Steps Out with beach babes and summer styles on Orchard Road

Emcee Junita Simon at the Orchard Fashion Runway for Fashion Steps Out 2014. Image: Orchard Road Business Association

Nearly 160, 000 Singapore shoppers turned up to watch the Orchard Fashion Runway, which was held in celebration of the ongoing Fashion Steps Out @ Orchard 2014 (FSO 2014). This catwalk show kicked off a full six weeks of shopping deals and fashion happenings for FSO 2014, all to be held at the malls of Orchard Road.

The catwalk show’s opening act saw emcee Junita Simon (seen above) amongst a group of bikers all revved up to go, before the catwalk show started proper with the colourful styles of Indian fashion label Manish Arora.

Fashion Steps Out with beach babes and summer styles on Orchard Road

Spring Summer 2014 styles from Manish Arora (left) and David Koma (right). Images: Orchard Road Business Association

Sporty and lightweight, these fluorescent and kaleidoscopic print dresses were so befitting for our always-summery Singapore weather.

As if to cleanse our fashion palate, next on show were the elegant and flirty cut-out dresses from London-based label David Koma. These could not be any more different from the colour parade shown by Manish Arora; elegant in construction and shape, the sporty and sexy looks from David Koma were inspired by the art of Kyudo (Japanese-style archery).

Fashion Steps Out with beach babes and summer styles on Orchard Road

Spring Summer 2014 styles from Hong Kong multi-label store I.T. Image: Orchard Road Business Association

Following that was the sleepwear-inspired streetwear from Hong Kong multi-label store I.T. In keeping with its nightwear inspiration, models at the front of its fashion line were seen clutching pillows as they walked down the runway very comfortably in mandals, certainly the trending shoe of choice on the Spring Summer 2014 runways.

Fashion Steps Out with beach babes and summer styles on Orchard Road

Spring Summer 2014 looks from The Reckless Shop. Image: Orchard Road Business Association

To up the kitsch factor, Singapore fashion brand The Reckless Shop took to funky pieces like bunny-eared masks to match their edgy menswear styles. Models clad in Singapore label Depression on the other hand, had unusual “masks” painted onto their mouth and jaws, in line with the brand’s monochromatic looks. Italian fashion brand Max & Co. then turned things a little more saccharine with its pastel hued Spring Summer 2014 collection.

Aimer FSO 2014

Spring Summer 2014 styles from lingerie and swimwear brand Aimer. Images: Orchard Road Business Association

But the line-up that drew the loudest cheers from the crowd was by Aimer — the Chinese lingerie and swimwear brand featured its seafaring-themed collection on sexy, toned models who strutted down the catwalk with shells and many pretty baubles.

Ashley Isham FSO 2014

Spring Summer 2014 styles from Singapore designer label Ashley Isham. Images: Orchard Road Business Association

Eveningwear by Singapore designer Ashley Isham then changed the mood of the catwalk show again, as models strode down the road with curious hats that obscured the top half of their faces.

Finally, the show ended on a sweet note with balloon-holding models dressed in styles from Singapore department store Robinsons.

Fashion Steps Out with beach babes and summer styles on Orchard Road

Spring Summer 2014 styles from Robinsons. Images: Orchard Road Business Association

With its floral-centric looks and the cute balloons, the Robinsons line-up certainly gave the catwalk presentation a girly, whimsical vibe. Finale looks featured models hopping onto the street from the mopeds they were on, while wearing a contrasting ensemble of floral-covered helmets, khaki print jumpsuits and combat boots.

The Orchard Fashion Runway for Fashion Steps Out @ Orchard 2014 (FSO 2014) took place on April 5, 2014. FSO 2014 will run from now to May 18, 2014. For more information, visit www.orchardroad.org and check out the Orchard Road Facebook page.

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