Ong
Shunmugam
OVERVIEW
Ong Shunmugam is a Singapore-based contemporary fashion brand founded by Priscilla Shunmugam that offers fashion, furniture and homeware all done with keen attention paid to Asian aesthetics, cultural symbolisms and identities.
Process of Garment
The brand is built on craftsmanship, authenticity and originality. She strongly believes that fashion should be inclusive, diverse and thoughtful, which is reflected in her collections and bespoke creations alike.
Ong Shunmugam
Priscilla Shunmugam
Singapore, 2015
Cheongsam with cape
Silk jacquard, chiffon
ACM, Gift of Paige Parker
Priscilla considers fashion to be an expression of emotions, thoughts and memories that crosses the boundaries from the tangible to intangible, and from the visceral to the transcendental.
At Ong Shunmugam, the garments are purposefully designed to help wearers achieve proximity to their culture and identity.
The signature Ong Shunmugam outfit makes a lasting impression on its wearer, as many admirers of the brand can attest to.
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Glossary
Weight
Designers consider fabric weight and its suitability for making garments. For example, a lightweight fabric such as chiffon is generally considered unsuitable for tailored jackets and trousers. A heavier cotton twill is often used for sturdy uniforms.
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Priscilla says, “I think what Ong Shunmugam tries very hard to do is to challenge craft and sort of defend it and bring it into the 21st century, especially in the context of Singapore and Southeast Asia.” The designer sees Asia as a rich tapestry and historical backdrop for her design inspirations.
PROCESS
The concept of craft in the past has undergone profound changes and challenges caused by globalisation, digitalisation, fast fashion and cheap labour, all of which has made craft seem rather inconvenient and expensive, and perhaps even irrelevant.
She believes that fashion plays a distinct role in identity, and that how people feel at a certain point in time is often reflected in their choice of garment in the colours, symbols and materials that the individual wearer feels represent them best.
*
Glossary
Jacquard
A textile in which the colour and pattern is created as the fabric is woven, instead of merely surface printing or dyeing.
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Ong
Shunmugam
OVERVIEW
Ong Shunmugam is a Singapore-based contemporary fashion brand founded by Priscilla Shunmugam that offers fashion, furniture and homeware all done with keen attention paid to Asian aesthetics, cultural symbolisms and identities.
The brand is built on craftsmanship, authenticity and originality. She strongly believes that fashion should be inclusive, diverse and thoughtful, which is reflected in her collections and bespoke creations alike.
Process of Garment
Ong Shunmugam
Priscilla Shunmugam
Singapore, 2015
Cheongsam with cape
Silk jacquard, chiffon
ACM, Gift of Paige Parker
The signature Ong Shunmugam outfit makes a lasting impression on its wearer, as many admirers of the brand can attest to.
Priscilla considers fashion to be an expression of emotions, thoughts and memories that crosses the boundaries from the tangible to intangible, and from the visceral to the transcendental.

At Ong Shunmugam, the garments are purposefully designed to help wearers achieve proximity to their culture and identity.
Glossary
PROCESS
The concept of craft in the past has undergone profound changes and challenges caused by globalisation, digitalisation, fast fashion and cheap labour, all of which has made craft seem rather inconvenient and expensive, and perhaps even irrelevant.
Priscilla says, “I think what Ong Shunmugam tries very hard to do is to challenge craft and sort of defend it and bring it into the 21st century, especially in the context of Singapore and Southeast Asia.” The designer sees Asia as a rich tapestry and historical backdrop for her design inspirations.
She believes that fashion plays a distinct role in identity, and that how people feel at a certain point in time is often reflected in their choice of garment in the colours, symbols and materials that the individual wearer feels represent them best.
Glossary
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