Epson partnered with the ASEAN Fashion Designers Showcase (AFDS) for the first time to host the ASEAN International Fashion Week (AIFW) at the iconic ArtScience Museum in Singapore.
The annual fashion event, known for showcasing the diverse styles of the ASEAN region, also highlighted environmentally conscious practices in the fashion industry.
This year’s AIFW featured the Epson Runway Show, where 11 designers from AFDS utilized Epson’s digital textile printing technology to create their collections.
Printers like the SureColor F6430, F9430H, and F10030 brought designers’ visions to life, showcasing the potential of sustainable fashion. All pieces were created using dye-sublimation printing, a method known for reducing water consumption compared to traditional methods.
During the opening address, Siew Jin Kiat, Regional Managing Director at Epson Southeast Asia, highlighted Epson’s collaboration with renowned Japanese fashion designer, Yuima Nakazato.
The avant-garde collection from the designer showcase advancements in sustainable fabrics enabled by Epson’s printing technology, resulting in thinner, more flexible, and eco-friendly materials.
In addition to the fashion runway showcases, Epson and AFDS also hosted an insightful panel discussion to deep dive on the impact and importance of sustainability in the fashion and technology industry.
Key topics discussed include Epson’s advancements in sustainability and innovation in textile printing. Desmond Gay, regional manager of commercial products for Epson Southeast Asia, highlighted that Epson’s dye-sublimation printers use less water than analog methods and their inks are Oeko-Tex Eco Passport certified, thereby improving working conditions.
He also emphasized Epson’s goal to become carbon negative and underground resource-free, noting that all electricity at Epson-owned sites now comes from renewable sources. He also shared Epson’s future plans to build a biomass power plant, furthering their commitment to sustainable energy.
A pop-up store at the event allowed fashion enthusiasts to experience Epson’s innovative technology firsthand. Visitors were able to try on the runway pieces and explore Epson’s SC-F6430H and SC-F130 printers, used in both textile and personalized gift production.
