When Chanel staged its Cruise 2025/2026 show at the historic Raffles Hotel Singapore, the world’s fashion media turned its attention to the Little Red Dot. Vogue, Business of Fashion, and global luxury watchers described the event as a powerful statement: Singapore has become a serious fashion destination. But behind the runway, behind the shimmering lights, behind the magic seen on Vogue’s front page, something even more meaningful was happening.

Raffles Singapore students were part of the show.

A team of dedicated Raffles Marketers and Designers volunteered alongside Chanel’s professional crew, participating in fittings, garment management, backstage coordination, and post-show organisation. Their unwavering work ethic and professionalism were recognized by Chanel’s team, a testament to the strength of Raffles’ training and the students’ commitment to excellence. More than a school activity, the students’ involvement in the Chanel show was a transformative, career-shaping experience. It exemplifies the value of practical, real-world education in shaping the future of fashion education in 2025 and beyond.

The Backstage Reality: Where Fashion Education Meets Fashion Execution

Bo Lye Nwe, Raffles Fashion Marketer:

“Hard work, precision, collaboration.”

Being selected as one of the four student volunteers from RafflesDesign was more than exciting for Bo; it was a personal dream. Chanel had always been one of her favorite fashion houses, and she understood immediately that the experience would be demanding. This journey of growth and learning was an inspiration to her and her peers.

“The hours were long, but the experience was enriching,” she shares.

She actively participated in all stages of show preparation:

• Unpacking the Cruise 2026 collection
• Supporting fittings and rehearsals
• Coordinating backstage preparations
• Post-show garment care and organization

What struck her most was Chanel’s precision; every thread, movement, and minute was meticulously engineered.

“Working so closely with Chanel’s team showed me how many layers of coordination go into luxury presentation,” she adds. For Bo, the experience reaffirmed her passion for fashion marketing and strengthened her understanding of:

• Organisation
• Adaptability
• Communication
• Immediate problem-solving

In her words:

“We had to think on our feet, solve challenges quickly, and stay composed. Watching different teams, from stylists to dressers, come together so seamlessly was inspiring.”

Glaron Saviola ADITYA, Raffles Fashion Marketer:

“Professionalism, teamwork, and communication.”

For Glaron, the Chanel Cruise show was a defining moment in his growth as a fashion marketer.

“It was such an amazing experience. Being behind the scenes of a prestigious brand like Chanel was surreal,” he recalls. One of his biggest realizations was the difference between the professional environment and what he had previously experienced in Jakarta.

“There, we don’t usually get opportunities like this, here, the exposure is on a whole different level.”

She learned firsthand how fast-paced a luxury fashion show truly is:

• Constant movement
• Rapid decision-making
• Perfect team communication
• Absolute care in handling luxury garments

She witnessed how every detail, from fabric movement to backstage timing, becomes part of the brand story.

“I now really understand what it means to work in a professional environment,” he says.

“RafflesDesign Singapore made this possible.”

Why Vogue Matters and Why This Moment Is Bigger Than One Event

When Vogue covers a fashion event, it instantly becomes part of global fashion memory. Vogue is more than a magazine; it is a narrative-shaper. It defines the cultural meaning of fashion, decides what is iconic, and elevates new voices.

Vogue’s role in the industry includes:

• Documenting the world’s most influential fashion moments
• Setting global style direction
• Spotlighting designers, models, and creators
• Shaping luxury storytelling
• Amplifying talent and innovation

For Raffles designers, participating in a Chanel show that captures Vogue’s attention is not merely an opportunity; it is a career accelerator. This type of experience exposes students to:

• Luxury’s highest standards
• The rhythm of global fashion production
• Industry-level pressure and expectations
• Cross-cultural creative collaboration
• Real-world luxury marketing and fashion management

Students who experience this level of immersion enter the industry with a deeper understanding of how fashion truly works, not just in theory, but in practice.

Fashion Education at RafflesDesign: Creating the Next Generation of Global Fashion Leaders

Raffles Singapore has long been recognized for its close ties with the global fashion industry. What sets RafflesDesign apart is not just its academic programs, but also its ability to offer real exposure to fashion ecosystems. Raffles students gain:

• Industry experiences with global fashion houses
• Backstage access to fashion shows, productions, and brand activations
• Hands-on learning with top creatives and luxury teams
• A multicultural learning environment rooted in Asia
• Career pathways across fashion capitals

From Singapore to Milan, Shanghai to Mumbai, Jakarta to Malaysia, RafflesDesign students have access to a global network that supports their growth into designers, marketers, entrepreneurs, and industry innovators. Opportunities like the Chanel Cruise 2026 volunteering program show how Raffles prepares students not just for the future, but for the front row of the fashion world.

Turning Education Into a Global Opportunity

Fashion is not built on textbooks; it is built on experience. When Raffles designers stepped behind the scenes at Chanel’s Cruise 2025/2026 show, they stepped into the heart of the global luxury industry.

• They learned precision.
• They learned creativity.
• They learned teamwork.
• They learned what it means to operate at the level of Chanel.

But more importantly, they learned what they are capable of. With Vogue spotlighting the event and Chanel opening its backstage doors, the experience stands as a reminder:

At RafflesDesign, students don’t just study fashion; they live it.

Start Your Fashion Journey With Raffles

Whether your dream runway is in Milan, Singapore, or anywhere in the world, Raffles gives you the global foundation to get there.

Arman POUREISA

Marketing Manager

Raffles Indonesia

References

Business of Fashion. (2025). Inside Chanel’s Cruise 2026 show in Asia. https://www.businessoffashion.com

Chan, M. (2025). Backstage culture: How luxury fashion shows are evolving. Vogue. https://www.vogue.com

Kaur, S. (2025). Why experiential learning is the future of fashion education. WWD. https://www.wwd.com

Lee, A. (2025). The rise of Singapore as a fashion capital. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com

Lim, D. (2025). Asia’s growing influence on global fashion weeks. Harper’s Bazaar. https://www.harpersbazaar.com

Nguyen, T. (2025). Luxury brands turn to Southeast Asia for talent & innovation. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com

O’Connor, N. (2025). Precision and performance: The unseen world of fashion show production. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com

Singh, K. (2025). The evolution of fashion marketing in the digital luxury age. The Economist. https://www.economist.com

Tan, J. (2025). Vogue’s role in shaping global fashion culture. Vogue Business. https://www.voguebusiness.com

Wong, P. (2025). How global fashion houses collaborate with regional design schools. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com