Wong

As the designer behind local arty label Stolen, Wong, 40, might be better associated with the fashion scene, but she says that architecture serves as her inspiration. Take for instance, Zaha Hadid’s Vitra Fire Station. Wong was amazed at how the architect was able to use a utilitarian material such as concrete to create a maximalist impact. She’s adopted a similar philosophy for Stolen, which typically eschews prints and bright colours in favour of experimenting with structure and silhouette. The line made its Singapore Fashion Week debut last October at the National Gallery, where it made quite a splash: Instead of the typical flashy fare, Wong opted for a quiet yet memorable presentation that mixed fashion with performance art.

Favourite Hadid work:

“The Heydar Aliyev Center is an absolute work of art – how it seamlessly blurred the boundaries between architecture and nature is breathtaking.”

A Hadid ethic she admires:

“Her open-mindedness and appetite for change is remarkable. Yet her influence and inspiration essentially come from a deep understanding of the culture and environment around the building projects that she undertakes. That, I feel, represents a very brave yet responsible creator.”