When Chanel staged its Cruise 2025/26 Repeat 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, and behind the magic captured on Vogue‘s front page, something even more meaningful was happening.

RafflesDesign (Singapore) students were part of the show.

A team of dedicated Raffles Marketers and Designers supported the production under ACTIVATION GROUP, Chanel‘s appointed partner for the Cruise 2025/26 Repeat Show in Singapore. ACTIVATION GROUP, an internationally recognised marketing agency headquartered in Shanghai, with offices in Beijing and Hong Kong, is one of the most established luxury activation agencies in Greater China and a preferred partner for leading global brands.

Under the guidance of ACTIVATION GROUP, the students dedicated themselves to every aspect of the show. From fittings to model stand-ins, and from pre- to post-show preparations, they gained a rare and authentic insight into the operational demands of staging a luxury fashion show. Their unwavering professionalism and strong work ethic were not only acknowledged but also celebrated by the production team. This reflects the robust training at RafflesDesign (Singapore) as well as the students’ unwavering commitment to excellence. Their involvement in the Chanel Repeat Show was more than just a school assignment; it was a transformative, career-shaping experience that showcased the power of real-world, industry-integrated learning in preparing future leaders of fashion.

The Backstage Reality: Where Fashion Education Meets Fashion Execution

Bo Lay 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, as Chanel has always been one of her favourite fashion houses. She understood immediately that the experience would be demanding, but she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way, for 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 2025/26 Repeat Show collection
• Supporting fittings and rehearsals
• Coordinating backstage preparations
• Post-show garment care and organisation

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. It was inspiring watching different teams, from stylists to dressers, come together so seamlessly.”

Glaron Saviola Aditya, Raffles Fashion Marketer:

“Professionalism, teamwork, and communication.”

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

“It was such an amazing experience. Being behind the scenes of a prestigious brand like Chanel was surreal,” she recalls. One of her biggest realisations was the difference between the professional environment and what she had previously experienced in Jakarta. The exposure and learning reached new heights. The experience was not just enriching, but also a source of immense pride and a defining moment in her growth as a fashion marketer.

“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, with:

• 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,” she says.

“RafflesDesign Singapore made this possible.”

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

RafflesDesign (Singapore) has long been recognised for its close ties with the global fashion industry. What sets RafflesDesign apart is not just its academic programmes, but also its ability to offer real exposure to fashion ecosystems. RafflesDesign 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 volunteering at the Chanel Cruise 2025/26 Repeat Show demonstrates how RafflesDesign prepares our 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 RafflesDesign students stepped behind the scenes at Chanel‘s Cruise 2025/26 Repeat 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.

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

Sidney CHING Rongda

Lecturer

Raffles Design Institute (Singapore)

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