Looking at her, one would not believe Nicole Chan Carmen has just completed a gruelling three weeks of preparation for this year’s STYLO competition.

A Year 2 Fashion and Retail Design student at Limkokwing University, Carmen has only recently emerged as a young designer with promise.

“I was overjoyed when I found out I was going to be a participant in the STYLO Emerging Designers competition. I told my parents about it but they were sceptical at first. They asked me, half jokingly, if this was a prank!

“Thankfully it wasn’t.”

The 2nd runner-up of the Mercedes Benz STYLO Emerging Designers competition, Carmen has learnt a lot in the short time she has been in the spotlight and feels like Limkokwing University gave her the exposure and confidence she needed to participate.

“It was such a great experience being in the STYLO competition, especially when you were up against other very talented designers,” said the bubbly designer. “I had to learn how to manage my time and how best to budget when it came to fabrics and materials.”

Although this was Nicole’s first competition, she had nursed the thought of fashion designing as a career even from her childhood.

“I remember my love for fashion started when I first laid eyes on the Japanese Kimono. How they create the fabric and the technique they use to make it so beautiful always fascinated me. I think that also played a big part in how I choose my designs today.”

The theme at this year’s STYLO was based on the Seven Deadly Sins and Carmen along with the other contestants had to create designs depicting the Sins. Her chosen sin was ‘Gluttony’ “Everyone associates gluttony with over-indulging in food and expensive things. My depiction of the sin in my designs was in the elaborate head-gear and cascading skirts. Fashion is all about over-indulgence and I believe my garments portrayed that.”

Her garments which were intricately prepared were inspired by Greek mythology and were consistent with draping techniques.

“Drapery was my main focus in my designs. I chose it because I felt that this would best portray my garments and improve my chances of winning,” said Carmen.

For her, the competition was a great learning experience.  She also received great support from her parents.

“My folks were the only parents backstage! My Mom kept on encouraging the models as they prepared to walk out on stage.”

So, was it all worth it?

“It was really hard coping at times. The people in the fashion industry want you to do your best and I found it hard to hold it together at times. But I got a lot of support from the University, my wonderful lecturers, and my parents during the competition. The University sponsored me and helped me through it and I am ever grateful.”

“Yes, it was definitely worth it”.