Next In Vogue 2025 just wrapped up, so let’s talk about it. I went in bright-eyed and excited, ready for all the glitz and glam, and left with much to think about on topics like femininity, power, and resilience – because amongst all the talks and creative revelations, the Next In Vogue Conversations with designers Prabal Gurung, Robert Wun, and Sabyasachi are what stuck with me.
It’s interesting to note that there was a common thread that tied them together – the influence of women, and the belief that femininity could be a profound source of strength. Let’s dig deeper!
Next In Vogue Conversations
Prabal Gurung
Let’s kick things off with Prabal Gurung’s session – one that was surprisingly vulnerable and emotional. Gurung, the Nepalese designer based in New York, is known for incorporating a fluid sense of femininity into his architectural tailoring. His designs often burst with vibrant colours inspired by his heritage, and he’s dressed the likes of Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and even the Duchess of Cambridge.
But despite all this glamour, Gurung has always been for the people. Through his Shikshya Foundation, he supports underprivileged children in Nepal, and he’s a long-time advocate for women’s empowerment and those he describes as “unbelonging.”
In fact, during his talk, spoke about his memoir, Walk Like a Girl – a title that, as he explained, came from an insult jabbed at him when he was young. He took this insult and has since turned it into a statement of pride, one that he wears like a badge of honour.
As an openly gay man who aims to represent marginalised groups, Gurung shared that his book is “a celebration of feminine-leaning people,” and paid tribute to the women who raised and inspired him, declaring that a woman in her “full feminine glory” is unnerving for men in power.
It’s refreshing to see major designers in the fashion industry openly discuss politics again, in a time where many are cautious of controversy. I’ve always felt that political discussions are essential in the fashion space, where image and perception are everything – because substance will always outlast spectacle.
Robert Wun
Speaking of spectacle, I’ve been itching to speak about one of my favourite designers – Robert Wun. I’ll admit – I was so starstruck, I had to snap myself out of my reverie to pay attention to what he was saying at multiple points of his talk. It was as if my dream had materialised in front of me!
Wun, the Hong Kong-born, London-based designer, is, to me, one of the most exciting voices in contemporary fashion. Known for his painstakingly crafted avant-garde couture, he engineers theatrical, sometimes even alien-like silhouettes inspired by nature, cinema, and the idea of escapism.
Wun made history in 2023 as the first Hong Kong designer to ever show at Paris Haute Couture Week – a highly respectable feat, considering how notoriously selective the Chambre Syndicale is about who earns the right to present there. The title “haute couture” is a legal distinction in France reserved only for designers who meet the highest standards of craftsmanship and original artistry. And Wun broke into that circle with a unanimous vote from all members of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode’s board – the first to ever do so! If that doesn’t speak volumes about his talent, I don’t know what does.
When he took the stage at Next In Vogue, Wun introduced himself as “stubborn,” which seemed to be what fuelled his creative defiance – not ego – that keeps him going when the world doesn’t understand. “What if the worst thing that could happen can turn into something beautiful?” That is his motto – and a poignant one at that. Robert Wun’s atelier turns the mundane into something extraordinary, where even something as unglamorous as a wine stain is a gorgeous motif.
Wun went on to candidly share his frustrations with being tokenised as an Asian designer in the West, saying, “The (clothes) rack is behind me, but they only want to know about this,” he said, gesturing to his face. It was sobering to learn that even at his level, success doesn’t exempt him from being reduced to a category. Wun, however, actively tries to reject that system, insisting on paying homage to his heritage on his own terms as he refuses to dilute himself. Hearing him peel back the layers of his philosophical compass throughout the talk was quite intriguing!
My favourite line of his, though, was “Beauty doesn’t come from beautiful moments.” So true, isn’t it? The fact that meaning often comes from chaos, and art is rarely born in comfort, and those who don’t fit the mould, like Gurung and Wun, often end up finding the freedom to create something of their own. “I want to be known as someone stubborn enough to carry on,” Wun proclaimed, when asked about the legacy he wants to leave behind.
Sabyasachi
If there’s anyone who knows a thing or two about building a legacy, it’s Sabyasachi, whose eponymous label turned 25 this year! Amongst my fellow Indians, Sabyasachi Mukherjee is often recognised as the quintessential voice of contemporary Indian luxury. Since launching his label with just a small workforce, he’s taken traditional handiwork to the world stage through his use of intricate hand-embroidery, rich Banarasi silks, zardozi work, and the romantic, dramatic storytelling typical of Indian couture.
More recently, he brought the King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, to the Met Gala this year, with the aim of holding a torch for Indian youths and affirming that Indian artistry belongs in high fashion. And he did it again at Next In Vogue!
Sabyasachi’s calm humour and sage-like wisdom felt so grounding, and he spoke with the ease of someone who’s lived many lives – from growing up poor to becoming one of India’s most celebrated designers. “Just because you’re poor doesn’t mean you can’t have standards,” he said, imparting the advice of his grandmother. Money never defined who he was as a person, and he referred to it only as the byproduct of the fact that he does his job well.
Unlike the theatrics often associated with luxury, his presence was humble, even mischievous at times. He chuckled when he admitted that he only got into studying fashion because he “just had a low aggregate.” Hearing that shocked me, considering how far he’s come. Sabyasachi deserves his flowers!
But what I found truly respectable were his views on craftsmanship. Sabyasachi is proud that, according to him, an estimated 99.9% of his products are made in India by local artisans. “If a machine can do the work of twenty people,” he said, “kill the machine and hire twenty people.” This ethos extends to the Sabyasachi Art Foundation – which the designer co-founded in tribute to his artist mother – a social initiative that gives indigenous craftsmen sustainable livelihoods. You could say that each Sabyasachi piece rejects the disposability of modern luxury, which can often feel tawdry and soulless.
When asked about luxury today, he pointed out a sentiment that’s been on my mind too – “Luxury is still consumed so that you can make your neighbour envious.” But he also noted that the landscape is shifting – prices of resale goods are falling, while experiences, like dinner at a Michelin restaurant, are rising in value. He’s right – the people yearn for the intimacy that comes with exclusivity! In a society that feels quite transactional, human experience is the new luxury.
It’s safe to say that all three designers validated my belief that fashion is a mirror for the world we live in. It reflects who we are and what we value. It can give us dignity or take it away. It can start important discussions; or silence them. Together, Next In Vogue Conversations reminded me, ever the idealistic dreamer, why fashion matters at all.
With trends and throwaway collections saturating the fashion scene more and more each day, I’m holding out hope that the future of fashion is not determined by algorithms and mass production. We need more conviction; more activism; more people brave enough to be misunderstood. Because fashion can be both a weapon or a form of healing for those “stubborn” enough, as Wun would say, to keep creating meaning. So, dear aspiring fashion designers, create unapologetically!
Curious to learn more about Next In Vogue? Check out Vogue Singapore’s Instagram and TikTok feed, and keep up with their official website!
Visuals Courtesy of Vogue Singapore.
