Odes to the Allure of Shadows

EDITION

2024, Shortlisted

school

LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore

“Odes to the Allure of Shadows” is an online fashion publication intended to stimulate discourse and challenge conventional ideas of masculinity among Asian men in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore. This narrative unfolds through the perspective of a wallflower—an introvert grappling with mental struggles and complexities within a conservative environment. It depicts the journey of navigating one’s masculine identity in the face of entrenched societal norms and traditional beliefs, employing both fashion imagery and styling to convey its message. This project originated from my personal reflection on masculinity and fashion, influenced by growing up in a single-parent household without a father figure. My comprehension of masculinity developed through observing and learning from people’s behavior and clothing choices in my environment, akin to being a wallflower—observing from the sidelines rather than being in the spotlight. Drawing inspiration from the stigma perpetuated by conservative generations regarding men’s involvement in the fashion realm and the complexities men face in articulating their identity through fashion, especially in Southeast Asia, this project aims to serve as a platform to challenge established notions of masculinity and foster a more inclusive understanding of what it means to be masculine in today's society."