Could South-East Asia be the next fashion destination?

Tex Saverio at Paris Fashion Week, September 2013. Photo: Gareth Cattermole

Asia has well and truly established itself as a global fashion powerhouse, yet up until now, much of the world's attention has concentrated on China and Japan.

Suzy Menkes says it's about time we expanded our focus, naming Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines as the new fashion destinations to watch. Though often overshadowed by their larger neighbours, these countries boast dynamic luxury markets that ought not to be underestimated by international brands.

The renowned fashion editor will be heading to Singapore next month as part of the International Herald Tribune's Luxury Conference, the annual meet-up where style influencers are invited to talk about pressing issues within the industry. This is the first time the region's played host to the summit.

South-East Asia is full of well-heeled shoppers, fashion forward and voracious in their appetite for luxury goods, but the region is not only an absorber of luxury, nor is it just another factory-housing producer of fast fashion.

There are exciting things happening on the design front, too. As Menkes says, "Asia can be a creative powerhouse – and not just the place to manufacture low-cost fashion. It's the idea that Asia can create, as well as consume."

There's a wealth of creative talent coming out of South-East Asia, from high-end designer Biyan Wanaatmadja, hailing from Indonesia, to the slew of local designers who showcased their wares at Singapore Fashion Week earlier this year. Here are just a few names worth talking about …

Hailing from Singapore, Priscilla Shunmugam from Ong Shunmugam takes traditional Asian design elements – nuhru collars, cheongsam dresses, vintage textiles – and gives them a fresh breath of life.

Tex Saverio, the rising star of Indonesia's fashion scene, recently made his debut at Paris Fashion Week. Tex is known for having created the wedding dress worn by Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in The Hunger Games.

At Jakarta Fashion Week, newcomer Friederich Herman served up a collection of sharply tailored separates featuring prints inspired by the city's chaotic traffic jams.

Biyan Wanaatmadja draws inspiration from Indonesia's rich cultural fabric when coming up with his feminine, ladylike designs – from shantung skirts to kimono-style tweeds. All his pieces, which you can shop on Net-a-Porter, are elaborately adorned with beads, lace and embroidery. 

Manila-born, New York-based designer Margarita Saplala is known for her girly, contemporary designs, featuring mixed media prints and embroidery.

Known for her audacious use of colour and prints, Singapore's Kae Hana has drawn comparisons to Mary Kantrantzou – at a much more affordable price point! You can currently shop her designs on ASOS.

Stretsis was born from three sisters – Pim, Kly and Martina – who trained at Parson's and are now based in Bangkok. Their ruffled hems and cute-as-pie dresses have won over an international crowd, and they're currently stocked in over ten Australian boutiques. 

DailyStyle