* DESIGNER OF
THE YEAR 2007

Andrew Gn


Andrew Gn Designs, Paris

Andrew Gn was born in Singapore in 1966, the youngest of three brothers and two sisters. In 1986, Andrew enrolled in the renowned Saint Martins School of Art and Design in London. While majoring in Fashion Design at Saint Martins, Andrew won the French Connection Award, sponsored by the English/French Chamber of Commerce, which was open to all the fashion colleges in the United Kingdom. Andrew also participated in the Design Exchange programme at Parsons School of Design for a term. He returned to Saint Martins to complete his Bachelor of Art degree in December 1989.

The following year, Andrew moved to Milan to attend the prestigious Domus Academy. There his professors included Romeo Gigli, Luciano Soprani, Anna Piaggi and Gianfranco Ferre. While studying, he freelanced for Ratti, a textile company, and for the fashion house Basile. After receiving his Masters of Art in 1992, Andrew accepted the offer to assist Emanuel Ungaro in Paris.

In 1996, Andrew decided it was time to strike out on his own, launching the ANDREW GN collection which is mainly manufactured in France. Known for his East-meets-West design aesthetics, love of plush fabrics, exuberant use of colours and exquisite couture detailing, Andrew Gn’s Ready-to-Wear collections are nothing short of spectacular. His attention to details, fine craftsmanship and immaculate tailoring has made him one of Europe’s and America’s prominent fashion designers. He draws his inspiration from history, architecture, decorative arts, women and the bohemian mix of the 60s, 70s and 80s styles to arrive at chic, eclectic and ultra-feminine silhouettes for each collection.

Andrew is not a designer who withholds on extravagance. Amongst the inner fashion circles and glitterati, he is admired for his no-holds-barred approach to embellishment. Such attention to details would result in the creation of Byzantine jewel closure on a cardigan, rock crystals sewn on jackets, tiny pheasant-feather collars on tweed, floral appliqués, cashmere coat with a chin-grazing white fox collar, bubble dress with fringes of gold chain and antique lace as trim on skirt suits and silk camisoles. He is definitely one designer who knows how to pamper his customers.

In her 2006 review of his collection, writer Nicole Phelps of Style.com commented, "It's not hard to imagine the social schedule of the woman who'll snap up the rock crystal-strewn white linen trench or black linen sheath Andrew Gn showed for spring. Lunch at BG, dinner at Le Bernardin, box seats at the opera, season tickets to the ballet. Gn designs for a customer who likes her clothes as precious as her jewels." With high profile clients such as Celine Dion, Jessica de Rothschild, Charlotte Rampling, Marisa Berenson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Calista Flockhart and Gwyneth Paltrow, he has garnered an impressive celebrity following.

Apart from designing women’s wear, Andrew also started an accessories collection and some of his wonderful designs include 'Aztec' inspired chunky rings and bracelets- decorated in turquoise, blue and green stones, as well as 'Art-Deco' style jewellery. He was also a guest designer for Leiber, a famous minaudiere-making handbag house for their Fall Collection and brought luxurious embellishment to the bags.

His talent, tenacity and passion for his work has won him international accolade. The ANDREW GN label is now available at Bergdorf Goodman, Barney's New York, Kirna Zabête, (New York), Barney's New York (Boston, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco), Neiman Marcus (Atlanta, Boca Raton, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Palm Beach, Nordstrom (Chicago, Coral Gables, Dallas, Paramus, San Diego, San Francisco), Tootsies (Houston, Dallas), Wilkes Bashford (San Francisco), Hudson's Bay, Hugo Nicholson, Zola Shoes (Toronto), Harvey Nichols (London, Leeds, Edinburgh, Dublin), Browns (London), Loveless, Ginza Komatsu (Tokyo), Lotte Department Store (Seoul, Korea), Swank Shop (Hong Kong), Julia Boutique (Taipei, Taichung, Taiwan), Saks Fifth Avenue (Riyadh, Dubai), Boutique 1 (Dubai), Podium, Vesna (Moscow), Eickhoff (Düsseldorf), Unger (Hamburg), Anita Smaga (Geneva), Darling (Athens), Elite (Marbella), Stylebop.com and many other stores around the world.

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‘‘It is therefore very important to know your true self and establish your own taste before you start evolving. Otherwise, you might get lost somewhere in this rapid changing fashion world.’’

Insights from the Recipient

What is your design philosophy?

Continuous renewal. The fact that I have to come up with four collections of clothing and two collections of accessories each year enables me to renew myself all the time. I could not imagine there is another métier that is more challenging and inspiring than fashion.

How has Singapore's design industry evolved over the past decade or, indeed, since you started practising?

Many emerging Singaporean fashion designers are becoming more confident in developing a unique style that merges visual historical influences with contemporary haute couture sensibilities.

What advice do you have for young designers in Singapore?

It is very important to know your true self and to establish your own taste before you start evolving. Otherwise, you might lost somewhere in the rapidly changing fashion world.

Citation

‘‘It is therefore very important to know your true self and establish your own taste before you start evolving. Otherwise, you might get lost somewhere in this rapid changing fashion world.’’

Jury Citation

Andrew's works are symbolic of the emerging individuality of many Singaporean fashion designers who are becoming more confident in developing their own unique style that merges the visual historical influences with contemporary haute couture sensibilities. His fashion pieces for Ungaro, Balmain and personal collections have graced the leading catwalks of Paris, Milan, Tokyo and New York and we anticipate an exciting evolution of his artistic fashion style.

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Nominator Citation

ELIM CHEW
PRESIDENT
77th STREET

Paris-based, Andrew Gn, is a designer who has honed his craft through studying in various fashion capitals around the world. Andrew’s clothes are always beautiful and feminine, with great attention to details in his outfits. His designs are always impeccably tailored in plush fabrics, with a bold use of colour and rich textures. His creations are the epitome of style and luxury. Over the years, he has achieved substantial international presence, with high profile clients such as Celine Dion, Jessica de Rothschild and Charlotte Rampling - just to name a few.

Andrew is a fine example of an overseas-based local talent who has persevered and excelled in the very volatile and fickle fashion world - and made a name for himself. His designs have won him critical acclaim on the international fashion runways and the Andrew Gn label has now established a strong global presence. His talent, perseverance and wonderful creations certainly make him a worthy candidate for the President's Design Award 2007.

OTHER RECIPIENTS