RISE AND SHINE

Breaking through the noise and clutter, these four aspiring fashion and accessories designers are not holding back.

- Syazil Rahim

EVAN YAP, FOUNDER OF WEARMASQUAD

Tell us about yourself and WEARMASQUAD. How would you describe your design?

I’m a student, a fashion blogger and a freelance fashion stylist. I became interested in designing jewellery and accessories since I was 14 years old. There’s always this part of me that cherishes the beauty of art and I think WEARMASQUAD is an outlet for me to express my creativity. Speaking of my design concept, I’d say it changes from time to time – like right now, it is the neo-romanticism style and I’m not sure what comes next.

As a young designer, what is the most difficult part to break into the industry?

Social media has made it wildly accessible for just about anybody to start and own a business. However, this also makes it difficult because it has become even more competitive. This paradox makes it tough to grow a strong social media reach, particularly in terms of engagement and followers. The way that I overcome this challenge is by giving away some of my products to my favourite fashion influencers and have them style and advertise the pieces on their Instagram posts.

How are you coping with this challenging situation that we’re in right now?

I think most entrepreneurs including myself right now are dealing with a lot of concerns. So, I say the best thing that we can do at the moment is to prioritise what’s important for the growth of the business and stay in the present. I work closely with my team to break down our business plans into smaller churns and try to get them done step by step.

Are you optimistic about the industry’s digital approach?