The day that we’d all been counting down to for weeks has come and gone like a passing cloud. It was all so surreal on the day of the show, from the atmosphere to the emotions that we were encountering – a mix of nervousness and excitement to the minutes leading up to the runway show. 

It is after all our debut at KL Fashion Week, and the feeling of seeing Sher by Twenty3 come alive on the runway is indescribable. Countless days and endless nights fleeted by our tireless team in preparation for the show. 

We are still admittedly raw compared to other established designers, and with 90 other designers showing their collections throughout KLFW, we decided to make the production and experience as memorable as possible for our guests. From the personalized gift-bags to the way we asked our guests to dress, no detail was spared. 

We spent days perfecting our gift-bags, which were filled with several items that reflected different aspects of the Sher philosophy. We included a card explaining the meaning behind these items:

• A gym voucher– To kickstart your fitness journey and healthy lifestyle.
• Water Bottle – The unusual shape is a reminder to be fluid and adaptable like the water within. Never restrict yourself.
• Black Coffee (supplied by @m_ti_cup_studio) – A metaphor for overcoming the fear of the bitterness of life, for it is in the dark that light shines the brightest. 
• Drawing Book – Always pen down your ideas, and let it serve as a reminder of the potential you possess.
• Sher by Twenty3 Pouch – Purposefully unstructured, it is nothing but a shapeless vessel without the dreams you keep within.

Our guests were given a dress code – slicked back, wet hair accompanied by strong brows and dark lips. Everyone knows Twenty3 as a girl-next-door brand, so we were trying to push the boundaries of our guests, challenging them to step out of their comfort zones and embrace something new. We were thrilled to see everyone take up the challenge, and we were touched to hear the buzz: “This is me, discovering my inner Sher.”

“We made it!” – a collective sigh of jubilation and relief within Team Twenty3 when our founder, Sherlyn Tan and our Creative Director, Sobu, took the final bow on the runway, signifying the end of this collection and the beginning of many more. It was the culmination of months of hard work, and to see our vision not just being realized, but to also see our message reaching through to our lovely customers and the media, was an indescribable feeling.

The cherry on the cake was Dato’ Jimmy Choo’s presence at our show. We are honored and grateful, as he has been a big inspiration to us, not just for what he’s accomplished, but also for his determination and humility – he insisted to not be seated at the front row, explaining that he only wanted to be there to watch us succeed. His guidance and support have been invaluable, and we are forever grateful to him.

 

On that note, we would like to say a big thank you to all our guests, our customers who turned up in full Sher outfits even without tickets to the show, as well as those who were unable to attend but followed our updates through Instagram. We would never have made it without you.

Don’t be afraid to dream a little bigger.

P.S. Stay tuned for our official photos from the runway!

“I am building a fire, and every day I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match.” – Mia Hamm

I’ve always been interested in the dichotomy between the strength and grace of female athletes. It seems that whenever a woman dares to get stronger in pursuit of her athletic goals, she is mocked for having a “masculine” body.

Misty Copeland is the principal ballerina in the American Ballet Theater.

Serena Williams is number one in the world in women's tennis.

Ronda Rousey is possibly the most dominant athlete today, regardless of sport or gender.

All three are champions, and all three have been criticized for their muscular, “masculine” bodies. It’s come to the point where women everywhere are afraid of lifting weights, because they don’t want to look like a man.

Since when did strength and a will to win become synonymous with masculinity?

This dichotomy is what drives my interest in creating a sports-influenced collection.

Plus, ever since Sherlyn started on her fitness journey, her wardrobe has become increasingly taken over by her sports attire. It’s come to the point where she wears her workout gear to the office! It’s inspired me to create a collection that was a sporty version of fashion, rather than a fashionable version of sportswear.

Match Point employs a liberal use of mesh for a structured, athletic appearance, while soft, nylon-blend tech fabrics help bring out the strong, sharp lines of the designs. Tops and jackets are cropped so as to not restrict movement, while also revealing the physique you’ve been working for. The key feature of Match Point is that most pieces are reversible – this is symbolic of transformation, a reminder that fitness is not just a fad, but a change in your entire lifestyle.

Live fit. Lift it.

Regards,

Sobu

 It’s often bitter and ashy, sometimes sharp and acidic, or mild and velvety. The depth of its complexity mirrors life’s challenges, its flavour profile every bit as nuanced as the human psyche.

Take away the cream and sugar, and you are left with a zero-calorie cup of black. There is a darkness to it that some shy away from, just as we instinctively run away from our problems, but persevere and the acquired taste turns into an appreciation. The bitterness mellows to a delicate earthiness. You realize that the murkiness is not to be feared, for it is in the dark that light shines its brightest.

You embrace it and let it propel you. As you do, you unveil the strength within yourself, your innate beauty blossoms. You find the Sher in you.

With the Lenore Collection from Sher by Twenty3, I wanted to bring to life the existentialist themes of numbness and disconnect in Albert Camus’ classic 1942 novel, The Stranger. The juxtaposition of isolation and living is a common urban phenomenon, with modern society often mired in an aimless existence. I also drew on Sherlyn’s battle against depression, and her recovery in which she finally uncovered the strength she never knew she had. We tend to forget that the bleakness of winter gives meaning to the relief of spring and the invincibility of summer. We must take the highs with the lows.

This juxtaposition is embodied by a colour palette of stark blacks and whites. The collection appropriates masculine silhouettes to create a new brand of femininity. Epaulettes, roll-up sleeves with button tabs, and flap pockets lend a militaristic, utilitarian feel to the garments, emblematic of the Strength in Femininity.

Embrace the strength and the darkness within. Challenge conventions, break expectations, live life on your own terms.

The Lenore Collection from Sher by Twenty3 launches Tuesday, August 11.

Regards,

Sobu

The Razor Collection from Sher by Twenty3 marks my first full collection for Twenty3, and is the first true representation of the new design philosophy that we’re injecting into the brand. I sought to embody all the qualities of Sher into the label, which is grounded in the idea that confidence comes from within. That is why I chose a monochromatic palette with varying shades of grey and black, because I wanted the subtle details in each piece to shine. The gaze is pulled to the strong, structured lines and exaggerated cuts, which is tempered by expert tailoring that accentuates the soft, feminine curves. The resulting pieces give the wearer an air of femininity while projecting an aura of unmistakeable strength.

While I created this collection with the modern working woman in mind, keep your eyes peeled for elements from the Razor Collection seeping into our runway collection for KL Fashion Week 2015. Here’s a hint as to what we’re working on – Derecho.

See you at the runway!

Sobu

PS. Check out some of the campaign photos we snapped for the Razor Collection!