14-12-2023 (SINGAPORE) Grace Ling, a 26-year-old Singaporean fashion designer, has made a name for herself in the competitive world of New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Ling’s eponymous label has gained international recognition, with her unique blend of surrealism, femininity, and mischief capturing the attention of industry leaders and fashion icons alike.
Ling’s journey to success began with her studies at the School of the Arts (Sota) in Singapore, where she honed her skills in fine arts and fashion design. She later moved to New York to pursue her dream, armed with nothing but her talent and determination. Ling’s big break came when her designs caught the eye of J.Lo, who placed an order and helped launch Ling’s career.
Ling’s NYFW debut was a testament to her hard work and dedication. Her collection, showcased in a grey-scale room in the industrial arts district of New York, featured models dressed in her signature sculptural designs, which have been hailed as “alluring in their severity and welcoming in their mystique” by Vogue US.
Ling’s designs have also gained recognition from the Council of Fashion Designers America (CFDA), with her being named as one of three finalists for an inaugural CFDA grant worth US$100,000 for emerging designers of Asian descent.
Ling’s inspiration comes from her arty instincts and her love of surrealism, but she also has a keen eye for what looks good on the body. She believes that the best kind of art is sellable, and her ability to reconcile her artistic vision with commercial viability has been key to her success.
Despite her success in New York, Ling still feels a strong connection to her roots in Singapore. She credits her upbringing and her creative household, where her father worked as a set designer and her mother a make-up artist, with shaping her artistic imagination. Ling’s designs continue to be influenced by the ideas that fascinated her as a Sota student, such as surrealism and the probing work of local performance artist Lee Wen.
Ling’s latest collection features a familiar pesky fowl – an ink-black bag shaped like a hyper-realistic crow. In show notes, she called it – like most Singaporeans would – evil. This playful touch is a hallmark of Ling’s designs, which often feature unexpected details and mischievous accents.
