Fashion show producer/choreographer Daniel Boey debuted his fashion label Furry Tales, inspired by his late pet, with a show at the historic Capitol Theatre early this evening

Daniel Boey offering a welcome address to open his debut Furry Tales

It was as boisterous as feeding time at a kennel, a testament to Daniel Boey’s enduring influence as “godfather of Singapore fashion”, show producer, prolific author, and now, designer. The collective eagerness to witness his long-awaited debut clothing line Furry Tales is akin to puppies waiting for instructions from a lead trainer. Yet, even amid the palpable energy, the sheer weight of expectation for a figure of his renown cast a long shadow that was more protraced and defined than the Leko lights spanning the stage, setting an incredibly high bar for the collection itself. Prior to the show, Mr Boey had invited guests to preview the garments, which were hung on racks, arranged artistically on the proscenium stage, but many preferred to view the clothes on the runway first. Why nibble when you can feast? Some main courses demand a full commitment.

The Furry Tales collection itself, primarily black or white T-shirts and hoodies, clearly aimed to weave a personal narrative, drawing from his “beloved animal muses”, as he told a guest, particularly his late pet Leia, a rescued ex-breeding dog that he formed a deep-rooted bond with. It was, therefore, surprising that no canine walked with the models for the presentation, given the identity of the brand and Mr Boey’s known advocacy. In place of barks was the rapturous soundtrack of what could be the best of the Top of the Pop in 15 minutes. This was Mr Boey’s show, which host, theatre veteran Harris Zaidi, revealed coincided with the main man’s birthday—an unambiguous nod to SG60. It is, therefore, unsurprising that he would play music from his growing-up years of the ’80s, pastiched to beat Zouk’s legendary Mambo Jambo night, flat.

The second look of the Furry Tales collection

As Furry Tales is not a fully-merchandised line, Mr Boey was limited by what total looks he could create. T-shirts and hoodies may trend like two-ingredient cakes online, but on a runway, they have the merchandise breadth of a sneaker shoelace. To show that there are more lives to the basic tops than cats do, he teamed with two young labels ESH and Void Deck (augmenting their pieces with several from his own archive) to put together looks that synced with the darkness-as-joy enthusiasm of the moment. As the styling took precedence, much of the tops of Furry Tales, with their striking graphics, set within a circle (an auspicious shape in Chinese culture), could not be clearly discerned. In the end, whether it was a tee or hoodie worn, most were lost to the annals of fleeting moments.

While the styling showcased glimpses of Mr Boey’s characteristic flair for vaguely underground styles, including layering that Blackpink’s Lisa would approve, the overall cohesion of Furry Tales felt, at times, somewhat diffuse. The supplementary pieces, while not without their charm in isolation, didn’t always contribute to a singular, compelling statement that the main garments were intended to convey, leaving room for a more defined aesthetic voice. Yet, when the clothes were viewed upclose after the show, it was clear that Mr Boey had infused subtle details to make some of the pieces stand out, particularly how customisable they were to reflect the wearer’s penchant for additive or subtractive twists. Shoulder seams, for example, include flat loops, through which chains (or cords) can be strung as a draped decorative feature for the neckline.

The finale of the show, which included looks from designers that formed the collective DBX

The total styles of Furry Tales alone would not have been sufficient to afford a substantive show. To upsize the presentation, the first part, in fact, showcased the work of three other labels, Jojo Quo, Ther Yang, and Monster, that together with ESH and Void Deck, formed the Daniel Boey-led collective DBX. It is understandable, even admirable, that the fashion veteran is willing to be an impressario of sort, and counsel the young potentials the way forward or provide them with the rare opportunity to have their designs seen on a runway, but the designers behind these fledgling brands have let their mentor down. The quality and design strength of some pieces raised questions about their readiness for such a prominent platform. It was disappointing, for example, to see one polyester cargo skirt so lacklustre that it could have been purchased during a sale on Shein. Their efforts did not commensurate with the investment of the man who made it all possible.

The launch of Furry Tales marked a significant and exciting new chapter in Mr Boey’s illustrious career. While the buzzy event undeniably laid a foundation, it also underscored the immense potential for growth and refinement within this nascent label and the others it hopes to grow in tandem with. To truly unleash the tales, however furry, one hopes to see a future collection that embraces a more resonant visual vocabulary, allowing the strong graphics and customisable elements, for examples, to emerge from the shadows of the runway. For the ambitious DBX collective, the path forward lies in a rigorous selection that ensures every piece reflects the gravitas and quality that a platform curated by Daniel Boey deserves. Even with a Michelin star, local restaurateurs will say, success is not guaranteed. The lasting legacy of this debut will, therefore, hinge on whether the narrative woven by the clothes themselves can stand as tall and defined as the man behind the show. The first bark must be clearly heard.

Photos: Zhao Xiangji