In her teen years, designer Sabrina Goh drew inspiration from her dad’s work as an architectural draughtsman, observing structures and forms of buildings and designs. Now, years later, his influence echoes in her fashion design: Her line, Elohim, is loved by fashionistas and the fashion press for its startling structure and play with symmetry. Elohim received rave reviews at the recent Audi Fashion Festival, when Goh debuted her line alongside Vivienne Westwood and Gareth Pugh.
Born in Malaysia, Sabrina went all the way to pursue her dreams, making up her mind to enroll in LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts in Singapore when she was just a secondary school student.
Goh’s persistence has been her secret to success. While at LaSalle, despite not being a top student, Goh was determined to press on till she grabbed the fashion limelight. She interned as a stylist at MediaCorp, and participated in the Singapore Young Designer Contest in 2006 and 2007. In these contests, she emerged a top 10 finalist and worked for various local labels as an in-house fashion designer for four years before launching her own label Elohim in January 2009.
“Elohim means ‘God of creativity’,” says Goh, adding that this is an inspiring label that encourages the wearer to be confident of herself both outwardly and inwardly. Her stark silhouettes portray the image of strength and vulnerability at the same time.
Her latest Fall/Winter 09-10 Collection has garnered much interest from local celebrities such as Felicia Chin, and her fashion is being used in an upcoming Mediacorp variety show.
Goh is determined not to rest on her laurels — she thrives on having her creativity challenged all the time. Her personal design heroes include Nicholas Ghesquiere from Balenciaga, who creates minimalist and unexpected designs. By observing other established designers she vies to create her own brand spirit and value.
Goh lives by this quote from the legendary Cristobal Balenciaga: “A couturier must be an architect for design, a painter for color, a musician for harmony and a philosopher for temperance.” More then being a self-made success, Goh attributes her rise in the fashion arena to many who have given her emotional support and business advice.
“Most importantly,” she says, “I want to thank God for giving me the strength and wisdom to bring the label and business to next level.”
Goh aims to market her label internationally, and to open concept stores islandwide. For now, fashion-forward shoppers can buy Goh’s designs at Hide & Seek and Blackmarket, as well as via her website www.sabrinagoh.com. International shoppers can purchase Elohim at New York-based fashion website Pixie Market (www.pixiemarket.com) starting August.
