By Kien M. Lee - Managing Director of SENATUS

On Thursday, I made my way to the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre for the opening day of  BLUEPRINT presented by Lee Hwa Jewellery - the tradeshow component of Asia Fashion Exchange.

Truth be told, I visited the event because several fellow SENATUS members were designers showcasing their latest collections to trade buyers and media from around the world.

I really shouldn't be a frog out of the water when it comes to the world of fashion, having co-organized Women's Fashion Week at Marina Bay Sands last November and running an online luxury and lifestyle magazine that often covers topics of the day in the world of fashion.

I was however, pleasantly surprised with what I saw at Blueprint.

The organizers have listed the number of brands participating at more than 150, all of whom are emerging designer labels featuring their pre-Spring 2013 collections. Making my way through the maze of booths, I realized these designers and myself were no different -- entrepreneurs at heart.

Each of them were putting out their best wares, some more polished in their marketing materials, some better at making sales pitches, some were quieter geniuses that opened up once you asked them what inspired their designs. 

Many of the labels were new, borne on Singapore's shores. Many of the designers trained in our schools here, or inspired by the environment of our cosmopolitan city-state. Labels from neighboring cities like Hong Kong, Jakarta, Bangkok to as far as Toronto, Paris and Berlin are also here. In speaking with some designers, I realized the labels ranged from freshman collections to experienced ones with their own retail stores already.

Through the day, fashion shows are taking place on the stage front, whilst others are trying to close business deals, you can sense the palpable energy and excitement exuding from the participants, as they work hard to introduce and launch their products in our market here in Singapore.

I understand that more than 200 buyers will attend the Blueprint Tradeshow on 17 and 18 May but on 19 and 20 May, Blueprint Emporium takes place and the general public will be able to come and purchase directly from these designers' boothes -- womenswear, menswear and accessories -- you name it.

I strongly encourage you to check out the Blueprint Emporium on Saturday and Sunday.

Pick from the diverse fashion styles available.

Speak to the designers who will be there in person.

Learn how one sells fashion and apply it to whatever widget you're selling. An entrepreneur can always learn from another's trade.

Fashionista, Entrepreneur or Consumer, it will be a good experience. I am sure of it.

Fashion labels by fellow SENATUS members include:ARMOIRE, Cosset, DEPRESSION, ELOHIM, evenodd, Ong Shunmugam, possi-tilly-ty, S.Nine

Congratulations also go out to Tracy Phillips, the Blueprint Project Director, for a job well done.

Find out more about BLUEPRINT 2012 at //blueprint.sg