Success Stories
of Our Graduates
Talents are inborn but success is by design.
To succeed, one must take lead and not follow; Be inspired and not deterred; Innovate and not duplicate.
Get ready to be intrigued as Raffles unveils its successful alumni and their remarkable creations across a broad spectrum of industry-relevant disciplines.
Success Stories
Afton CHEN
Fashion Design
Co-founder, Reckless Ericka
Singapore
ALFIE LEONG
Graduated in 1998, Raffles Designer Alfie Leong launched his own label “MU”. While studying with Raffles Design Institute he won many awards for his designs such as Winner of Singapore Fashion Designer Contest in 1995, Winner of Smirnoff International Contest in 1997, and Winner of Home furnishing Fabric Fashion Design in 1998. In addition to these awards, Alfie also represented Singapore at various international fashion events like Smirnoff International Contest and Beijing Fashion Week. “Practicality and creativity are both important in my opinion of designing a fashion collection. A creative person must not feel that they have reached their highest level of achievement and be contented with what they have created as they will remain stagnant, never improve and will never be able to CREATE something new again.”
Alfie LEONG
Fashion Design
Founder, MU Apparels & A.W.O.L
Singapore
ANDREW LOW
Winner of Harper’s BAZAAR NewGen Fashion Singapore and Asia Awards 2018
Andre was launched during the final year of Designer Andrew Low’s BA Honours in Fashion Design. The design ethos has been about hybridization of womenswear that incorporates elements of men’s tailoring.
“My inspiration came from strong women who have an effortless style but are willing to challenge the norm. Using texture and print, each collection is an exploration of redefining and the reinterpretation of classics to create new unexpected silhouettes.”
Andre is a primarily a collection for women which has elements of a genderless aesthetics and some key items may well be worn by discerning men who are willing to express themselves creatively through their sartorial choices.
“I have learnt that creative design and commercial viability are equally important. I am more prepared and confident for the industry as a Raffles Fashion Designer. Raffles Singapore creates a designer with relevant skills and to be industry ready.“
Andrew LOW
Fashion Design
Fashion Designer
Singapore
CHIANG XIAOJUN
“Raffles puts focus on our technical skills and ensures that students are groomed creatively. And at the same time, they cover from the basics to the intricate details of constructing a garment so that students have a clearer picture of the know how. This motivated me to explore my own clothing creation beyond sketches. Raffles Creative Practitioners definitely played a very huge role in giving me constant feedback and guidance whenever I needed help. They showed me the ropes and even paved the way for me to bring my designs to another level.”
CHIANG Xiaojun
Fashion Design
Founder, Pleatation
Singapore
REGINA LUKITO
Where Angels Dare Not Tread
“While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die.” – Leonardo da Vinci
I have always been fascinated by the way different cultures and people deal with the subject of death. How different these practises all over the world are! – but in all their differences, one thing remains the same: ‘death comes at the end’.
Regina LUKITO
Fashion Design
Co-Founder, Lukito Sorelle
Singapore
RENEE ANGELA ESQUILLO DE GUZMAN
Finalist of Sophie Hallette Design Challenge Asia 2018
A Touch of Madness
From Vincent Van Gogh to Frida Kahlo to Virginia Woolf, all these artists that have made a great impact on art and literature have gone through some form of suffering, which drove them insane. With this madness, they were able to create the most amazing works ever known in the history of art. There is a tortured artist revealing her perspective of that particular pain through art. With that, this collection is also a personal representation of depression, epilepsy, and personality.
Renee Angela Esquillo DE GUZMAN
Fashion Design
Fashion Designer
Singapore
SEAN LOH
“I had an interest in fashion at a very young age. That was how I got connected to fashion. I graduated from Singapore, Raffles Design Institute in 2011 and started my own brand thereafter. Since young, I am always interested in what people are wearing and what I am wearing myself. Until I joined Raffles Design Institute, I found that fashion is the perfect medium to express myself emotionally and artistically.”
Sean LOH
Fashion Design
Founder, Sean & Sheila
Singapore
SHEILA AGATHA WIJAYA
Sheila Agatha Wijaya came from a small town in Central Java, Indonesia. Her fashion education starting from taking up Diploma in Fashion at Raffles Design Institute in Malaysia. After obtaining her diploma, she continued her Fashion Design Degree in Raffles Singapore. In December 2011, she graduated and became a fashion consultant for MediaCorp. In 2012, she decided to try the bridal industry by joining one of the bridal label in Singapore. At the end of last year, she has decided to return to Indonesia to expand her career there and developed her own brand name “Sean & Sheila”.
Sheila Agatha WIJAYA
Fashion Design
Founder, Sean & Sheila
Singapore
DIANA WIDJAYANTO
I’m currently building up my own brand, in partnership with also a Raffles graduate Sylvia Widjaja. We are doing bridal and evening wear. But for my bridal line, my collection is pretty simple, its more into European style. Raffles has been supporting in marketing boost, marketing post graduates. Raffles has been also helping me to achieve my master degree in a very prestigious university by giving me alot of recommendations and references. And people are quite impressed with my portfolio which i achieved here in Raffles. Raffles has shaped me into a good Fashion Designer with a very strong foundation and basics. As a fashion designer we don’t only design, we don’t only sketch or draw, but we need to know the basic how to create the garments from zero: from pattern making, sewings, thats what i gained the most here. I gain alot from especially the lecturers, Mr Joe spinelli, he has been a very dedicated lecturer for me. Joe has been v helpful til now, after 10 years i graduated he still helping me if i have any questions, if i have any difficulties on running on my business, he still open up. Following passions and do it with diligence, those hardwork it get paid off. Founder of Grace Bridal Couture. Graduated from Raffles College of Higher Education, Bachelor in Fashion Design in 2004.
Diana WIDJAYANTO
Fashion Design
Founder, Grace Bridal Couture
Singapore
IVANA LUKITO
EMERALD OF THE EQUATOR
This is a collection that is highly inspired from the cultural diversity of Indonesia, and is a form of appreciation. The designs simply reflect the richness of Indonesia’s heritage, its art forms, and the traditions, with a touch of modernity.
Ivana LUKITO
Fashion Design
Co-Founder, Lukito Sorelle
Singapore
JAY QUEK
Jay, currently Raffles Singapore Creative Practitioner, is our very own Raffles alumnus who graduated with a first class honours and Singapore’s Top Fashion Graduate in 2003. After graduation, Jay started off as a designer in the well known fashion boutique, Celia Loe in Singapore. He set up his own label, POSSE shortly after, alongside Madeleine Wong, also Raffles graduate and winner of Singapore Young Designer Contest and Asian Young Designer Award 2003. In 2006, POSSE was awarded the label of the year by Elle Fashion Awards. Prior to joining Raffles College of Higher Education, Jay was also a fashion design educator for a tertiary institution in Singapore.
Jay QUEK
Fashion Design
Creative Practitioner, Raffles College of Higher Education
Singapore
JOE CHIA
“I had zero knowledge on fashion before joining Raffles. Raffles has built my foundation in my knowledge on fashion, art, design, ideas, patterns etc. I have learned to create basic to experimental pieces that involve pattern making and development process. These fuelled me to express the world in my head to physical garments. Raffles Singapore is a stepping stone to my career today.”
Joe CHIA
Fashion Design
Founder, JOE CHIA
Singapore
KIANG INGE MARTHANI KANESIA
Kreatur
“One man’s life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought…” – Mary Shelley (Frankenstein)
‘Kreatur’ is an exploration of curiosity, grotesque, and romanticism taken from the story of Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley, resulting in a creation of unconventional pieces with classic silhouette that marry modern menswear aesthetics and Victorian fashion.
Gain insight on what Raffles Fashion Designer Kiang Inge Marthani KANESIA has to share about her experience at Raffles Singapore and how it helped her to pursue her innate passion for style and fashion! Get to know all about her achievements and success story now.
Kiang Inge Marthani KANESIA
Fashion Design
Owner and Designer, INK Studio
Singapore
MADELEINE WONG
A BA (HONS) Fashion Design graduate of Raffles Design Institute, Madeleine joined the Raffles Family in October 2011. Her skill set garnered at Raffles Design paved roads to a journey beginning at local design house, Celia Loe where she ran label L.O.E, then she became Brand Manager for Bysi, and Designer for Song & Kelly @ Club 21, before setting up her own label ‘ Posse’ which she co -founded with her partner, Jay Quek. Madeleine’s passion for designing has also diversified into creating bags in Taiwan and another luxury T-shirt brand in Singapore. Crowned winner for both her individual work and label, the collections have been presented at many locations including Kuala Lumpur, London, Sydney, Bangkok, Shanghai and Singapore Fashion Week, just to name a few. Passionate in quality garment making, Madeleine’s strength lies in women’s wear, craftsmanship and a love for textiles.
Madeleine WONG
Fashion Design
Creative Practitioner, Raffles College of Higher Education
Singapore
PAUL NATHAPHOL
“It has been proved to me that is the best fashion school in Singapore. I think that the good creative practitioners is important because i came into the school with no knowledge and no prior experience in fashion. And these creative practitioners are the ones who trained and who guide me and they helped to shape me up as a designer so i believe that they are really important because they are one of the first few steps you have in fashion industry and with them you are able to learn and to grow as a person, as a designer. Principal Joe Spinelli has been very patience with me and always there for me when I can’t do certain things and he always there to help and to guide and share experience, his thoughts and with that i’m able to learn and gain alot more experience through him and through his experiences. The experience in Raffles has taught me to lead in myself as a designer and to always stand for my creations. Many times in school as a student i do not have confidence in myself and over time the school the lecturers have taught me to be more confident and to really stand for my creations and believe in myself.”
Paul NATHAPHOL
Fashion Design
Founder, Paul Nathaphol
Singapore
REGINA FANG
Regina Fang graduated from Raffles Singapore Design Institute in 2003. Registered in Singapore at 2006, NEWFOUND currently has over 158 outlets throughout mainland China. In 2008, NEWFOUND ventured into China and by 2009, NEWFOUND concentrated in venturing the China market. “I am very thankful for the school in nurturing me and providing a very strong foundation and basics for my career now. I am a very lucky person. From young, i had a dream to become an outstanding designer. I am lucky to be studying in Raffles Design Institute. During the times in Raffles, i would like to thank the school for the cultivation structure and advance technology for enhancing my knowledge in the fashion industry. There are many obstacles met in building the brand, however, I will always remember what Joe has said to me: “You are the future fashion queen!” This has kept me going on and on and encouraged and strengthened my belief for my brand. To Joe, “You have nurtured a successful student; however, to me you changed my entire life!” I’ll like to thank Raffles Design Institute, Principal Joe Spinelli and the creative practitioners. Without all of you, there will be no NEWFOUND today. I will hold this gratitude from Raffles Design Institute to always give my support in future collaborations.”
Regina FANG
Fashion Design
Founder, Newfound
Singapore
LAWRENCE CHONG
Raffles Visual Communication graduate, Lawrence Chong, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of business design consultancy Consulus and President of the Designers Association of Singapore (DAS).
Lawrence CHONG
Graphic Design
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Consulus Pte Ltd
Singapore
RANDOLL LEE
“The reason why I chose Raffles is because of the wide range of knowledge covered across the courses. However it is the process of pursuing my studies that kept me going on. The lecturers are all very nice, particularly Louis who has helped me a lot and got me involved in many projects such as the 3D Cyber Museum competition launched by The National Heritage Board in 2010. He showed me the difference between learning and the real working world.”
Randoll LEE
Interior Design
Founder, Hall Interiors
Singapore
ROBIN HOONG
“The modules Raffles have provided simulates to the actual working industry. What we have learned can easily be applied to our job. Life is not a bed of roses, there are bound to be obstacles in work and passion is the key to keep you going.”
Robin HOONG
Interior Design
Founder, Rob.Wynn
Singapore