Showcase

Mǎstory

Michelle Ng

Profile picture of Michelle Ng

For this final-year collection, I wanted to focus on something close to home — exploring my roots. With Mǎstory, I delve into the intersection of cultural heritage and contemporary functionality.

This collection explores how tradition can be worn differently today, bringing together cultural details, Equestrian silhouettes/functions, and performance-driven materials to craft garments that are both a tribute and a reinterpretation.

My process involves research into traditional and modern garments, which I reinterpret through the lens of my identity as a Singaporean Chinese.

For this final-year collection, I wanted to focus on something close to home — exploring my roots...

At the heart of Mǎstory lies a meeting point between tradition and sport — A space where Equestrian aesthetics are reimagined through the lens of a Singaporean Chinese identity. The collection name itself — “mǎ” (马), meaning horse in Mandarin, and “story” — reflects a narrative that honours tradition while embracing modernity.

This collection is a personal exploration and reinterpretation of cultural identity, inspired by the dwindling presence of Equestrian sports in Singapore, especially with the upcoming closure of the Singapore Turf Club in 2027. 

Mǎstory seeks to preserve and reimagine this unique cultural intersection through fashion, telling stories that connect past and present, tradition and innovation. 

This collection takes a deep dive into traditional Equestrian attire, honouring its craftsmanship, structure, and symbolism. By studying garments worn in the past and the present, I reimagine their elegance and function through a modern lens — blending historical elements with contemporary materials, silhouettes, and cultural storytelling. 

Drawing from traditional Chinese details and aesthetics, the pieces incorporate Equestrian codes such as structured tailoring, leather accents, and functional design details. The integration of 4-way stretch jersey introduces movement, comfort, and performance — bridging the gap between heritage wear and contemporary sportswear.

This dialogue between heritage and sport reflects the resilience of cultural identity in a rapidly evolving society, inviting a new generation to rediscover and reinterpret their roots. The showcase presents a curated selection of exclusive pieces that merge tradition with contemporary sportswear aesthetics.

Mǎstory is more than fashion; it is a narrative, a bridge, and a call to honour and evolve one’s story.

Final work

  • Above features a pleated mini skirt outfit, a blazer with breeches and a long pleated skirt, and a long-sleeved dress.
  • This collection consists of three main looks: above features a blazer styled with breeches. All three looks incorporate Mandarin collar details, as a nod to traditional Chinese aesthetics.
  • This collection consists of three main looks: above features a pleated long skirt.  All three looks incorporate Mandarin collar details, as a nod to traditional Chinese aesthetics.
  • Above images features a look styled in a fitted leather blazer with traditional Mandarin frog fasteners (pánkǒu) paired with classic elephant breeches
  • A fitted leather blazer inspired by the modern show jacket, featuring Mandarin frog fasteners (pánkǒu), paired with classic elephant breeches and a contemporary pleated riding skirt, inspired by modern riding wrap skirt and traditional riding skirt
  • A fitted leather blazer inspired by the modern show jacket, featuring Mandarin frog fasteners (pánkǒu), paired with classic elephant breeches and a contemporary pleated riding skirt, inspired by modern riding wrap skirt and traditional riding skirt
  • Above images features a sleeveless top featuring a mandarin collar and a center front zip closure paired with a mini, cropped-length pleated skirt.
  • Above images features a sleeveless top featuring a mandarin collar and a center front zip closure paired with a mini, cropped-length pleated skirt.
  • Above images features a sleeveless top featuring a mandarin collar and a center front zip closure paired with a mini, cropped-length pleated skirt.
  • Long-sleeved dress with a draped skirt, leg straps and stretch inserts referencing modern riding base layers
  • Leg straps inspired by modern riding wrap skirts, designed to prevent slipping and keep the garment securely in place during movement.
  • This dress consists of a draped wrap skirt that creates fluid movement and adds a layered dimension to the silhouette.

Research and process

  • Garments combining leather and 4-way stretch jersey to contrast tradition with modern performance, inspired by equestrian heritage.
  • Garments combining leather and 4-way stretch jersey to contrast tradition with modern performance, inspired by equestrian heritage.

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Mǎstory

At the heart of Mǎstory lies a meeting point between tradition and sport — A space where Equestrian aesthetics are reimagined through the lens of a Singaporean Chinese identity. The collection name itself — “mǎ” (马), meaning horse in Mandarin, and “story” — reflects a...

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