The rising fashion movement
> Dianna Yong crafts a space for slow fashion with her fashion label – SAYANG
THERE is a market that elevates the cheap and the disposable, a market that is so saturated with fast fashion chains; SAYANG is on a course to differentiate itself. Its creative director, Dianna Yong attempts to change the public’s perspective on immediate gratification and excessive consumption.
Yong dresses a certain kind of independent and confident woman; one who is not the obvious sexy, not try hard fashionistas, but creative women who are pioneers and not afraid to take risks and certainly not influenced by trends. Her designs are elegant – almost to the point of being safe, ladylike but not for the ordinary lady.
Yong looks for inspiration from all corners. Important influences on her work include definite portrayal of the girls in the current zeitgeist and her progressive journey in fashion, in which she found an aesthetic of elevated minimalism, an affection towards nature, and a commitment to sustainability.
In her first capsule collection, spaghetti tops are cropped with back opening and are paired alongside highwaisted pencil skirts adorned with wooden buttons handmade and crafted in India. Jumpsuits are sculpted to the body, as the swing pants at ankle length is diagonally-cut and given a new spin in palazzo style.
Her pared-down designs fit into a quiet revolution in fashion today that values good construction, favours the discreet over the conspicuous and remains untouched by frills.
Desiring newness and quality, Yong is upfront about her fashion label and is now part of a bigger movement that changes how we consume clothing.
Every so often, transparency within the fashion industry is hard to come by. Getting to know where it is made, the materials used to even the working conditions of the tailors – or if they are paid fairly. Evidently, things will not change on its own since the industry of mass productions and mass supply chains continue to rely on consumers but it truly stems from the beginning; the figureheads, the companies.
“It leaves too much responsibility on the consumers, so I think as brands and businesses it’s our responsibility to create a product that considers the shelf-life, the longevity of the products,” says Yong.
She is undoubtedly savvy, effortlessly bridging the gap between mass production and artisanal craft. “We’re working in a small factory in Malaysia of 15 tailors and we’re trying to give the jobs back to the local community, educating them on the different techniques and methods.”
SAYANG chews over the ethics of overseas manufacturers, in agreement about the importance of keeping resources as close as possible, and being in ultimate control.
By tackling the issue of sustainability, the label ensures the fabrics used in the garments are eco-friendly natural materials such as linens, cupro and cottons. SAYANG offers recyclable labels and hang tags made entirely from post-consumer waste that are carefully printed with eco-friendly soy ink.
Yong is the fashion epiphany in the middle of the fast fashion cycle, turning slow fashion into a spectacle through SAYANG as a contemporary womenswear label that stays true to its minimal decorum and transparency.
This will be the foundation for future collections as the brand plans to offer more dresses and jackets while experimenting with different fabrics.