Every year in the world of fashion, all eyes focus on the latest designer collections coming out of Paris, New York, London, Milan ... and Singapore?

It's true that Singapore may not be a star on the fashion map yet. But that could be about to change, as the island city-state prepares to launch its own world-class fashion week complete with designer runway shows, a fashion festival for the public, a fashion design competition, and other events spotlighting Singapore as the gateway to Asian fashion.

Under the banner of Asia Fashion Exchange (AFX), Singapore's inaugural fashion week will take place April 28 - May 2, 2010, featuring a roster of more than 50 established and emerging designers from Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and India. A cadre of international retail buyers will be in attendance, along with global fashionistas eager to see the latest collections in categories ranging from high-end formal wear to trendy streetwear.

"There is a wealth of design talent in Singapore, and through this event, we hope to better reveal that talent to the rest of the fashion world," said Mr. Satvinder Singh, Group Director for Americas, IE Singapore. "Plus, since Singapore is truly positioned as a gateway to the rest of Asia, this new fashion week will provide a hub to showcase the best designers and labels from across the region."

A centerpiece of AFX is Blueprint, a two-day fashion trade show that will draw retail buyers from the U.S. and around the globe. Among the Singaporean designers who will debut collections at the show are Abyzz,  Al & Alicia,  alldressedup, AWOL by Alfie Leong, Ben Wu, Eugene, Lin, Laichain, Raoul, Yen, and Wykidd. On the third day, the show will open to the public as Blueprint Emporium, a ticketed event where consumers can view and shop cutting-edge brands, such as Joanna Ho and Roj Singhakul, many of which are not available commercially in Singapore.

Consumers will have another opportunity to immerse themselves in high fashion during the concurrent Audi Fashion Festival. The Fashion Festival will showcase world-class collections by top international designers and labels, including DSquared2, Roberto Cavalli, Marchesa, and KTZ, with runway appearances by supermodels including Carmen Kass and Song Kyunga. The event will also feature red-carpet parties attended by members of the fashion elite.

Yet another component of Singapore's fashion week is Star Creation, a fashion design competition spearheaded by Textile & Fashion Federation Singapore (TaFf). Created to identify and develop the best design talent across Asia, the competition will spotlight the creations of aspiring local and regional fashion designers. Three winners, to be chosen from among twelve finalists, will each receive $10,000 Singapore (about $7,150 USD) in prize money and a one-year internship with leading Asian fashion retailer FJ Benjamin, complete with the opportunity to launch a capsule collection.

"The anchoring of a fashion trade show in Singapore in conjunction with other fashion events under AFX represents a collective approach to develop the local fashion industry," said Mr. Tan Soon Kim, Lifestyle Business Group Director of International Enterprise (IE) Singapore. "This show differentiates itself by being Asian-centric, showcasing the best of Singaporean and Asian designers, while facilitating access to the international market."

Asia Fashion Exchange is a joint effort by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, SPRING Singapore (SPRING), the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), and the private sector.

For more information, go to //www.asiafashionexchange.com.sg.