IP student drops out to study fashion and is now a cosplay influencer; JB businesses see lower profits because S'pore commuters monopolise parking: Singapore live news
Elise Lim was on the "safe path" to success – she qualified for the Integrated Programme (IP) after her Primary School Leaving Examination, and managed to get into the Art Elective Programme to pursue her interest in art.
However, she stepped away from it all in her fifth year of the IP at National Junior College to study fashion at Temasek Polytechnic (TP). She had cultivated an interest in cosplay during her fourth year, and tried making character wigs and props, and tailoring costumes. She is now a cosplay influencer on TikTok with 94,000 followers.
Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates.
Elise Lim was on the "safe path" to success – she qualified for the Integrated Programme (IP) after her Primary School Leaving Examination, and managed to get into the Art Elective Programme to pursue her interest in art.
However, she stepped away from it all in her fifth year of the IP at National Junior College to study fashion at Temasek Polytechnic (TP). She had cultivated an interest in cosplay during her fourth year, and tried making character wigs and props, and tailoring costumes.
Lim said, "It's not common for people to drop out of the IP, and a lot of parents could be worried that this is an unstable future, which is true, because the design and art field is unstable."
Yet, after three years, the 19-year-old has achieved some level of success in her field with more than 94,000 followers on TikTok where she posts tutorials on how to make wigs, and other cosplay content. On Instagram, she has 12,200 followers.
Lim is now in her third year of the fashion design and management at TP. She juggles studies and taking on commission orders for wigs on a first come, first served basis. The prices of her wigs range from US$100 to US$700 (S$130 to S$900).
Lim's mother, who only wanted to be known as Mrs Lim and declined to reveal her occupation, said, "I'm proud of Elise and generally supportive of her love for crafting... My main concern is her frequent exposure to chemicals when making wigs, and I hope she takes care to protect herself."
For more on Elise's inspirational journey from IP to fashion and cosplayer, read here.
Elise Lim was on the "safe path" to success – she qualified for the Integrated Programme (IP) after her Primary School Leaving Examination, and managed to get into the Art Elective Programme to pursue her interest in art.
However, she stepped away from it all in her fifth year of the IP at National Junior College to study fashion at Temasek Polytechnic (TP). She had cultivated an interest in cosplay during her fourth year, and tried making character wigs and props, and tailoring costumes.
Lim said, "It's not common for people to drop out of the IP, and a lot of parents could be worried that this is an unstable future, which is true, because the design and art field is unstable."
Yet, after three years, the 19-year-old has achieved some level of success in her field with more than 94,000 followers on TikTok where she posts tutorials on how to make wigs, and other cosplay content. On Instagram, she has 12,200 followers.
Lim is now in her third year of the fashion design and management at TP. She juggles studies and taking on commission orders for wigs on a first come, first served basis. The prices of her wigs range from US$100 to US$700 (S$130 to S$900).
Lim's mother, who only wanted to be known as Mrs Lim and declined to reveal her occupation, said, "I'm proud of Elise and generally supportive of her love for crafting... My main concern is her frequent exposure to chemicals when making wigs, and I hope she takes care to protect herself."
For more on Elise's inspirational journey from IP to fashion and cosplayer, read here.
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Beyoncé and Jay-Z become the main event as Paris crowns celebrity the world's hottest trend
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This interplay between celebrity and fashion is hardly new, but in 2025, the desire for escapism and star-driven spectacle is peaking like never before. 'It's about celebrity clickbait, and it's at a tipping point now. Celebrities have replaced the designers and stylists as the tastemakers,' said Anna Barr, a fashion magazine editor who attended shows. Beyoncé's appearance this week encapsulated a truth that every major brand — from Louis Vuitton to Dior, Hermès to Saint Laurent — now understands: The real front row isn't in Paris, but on Instagram, TikTok and Weibo. And nothing sells quite like a star. The pop star's head-to-toe denim — custom Louis Vuitton by Pharrell Williams — wasn't just viral. Within 24 hours, clips of her arrival amassed millions of views on TikTok, outpacing even Louis Vuitton's own campaign content. When Williams presented her with a Speedy bag straight from the runway in the Paris dusk, the moment went viral — underlining that Beyoncé isn't just an attendee, but a face of Louis Vuitton's creative vision. But even as Beyoncé's look became the week's most shared image, her presence in Paris also sparked debate: a Buffalo Soldiers T-shirt she wore during her 'Cowboy Carter' tour ignited criticism from some Indigenous and Mexican communities, reminding the industry that every viral moment can be a flash point. This is the new dynamic of luxury: The most coveted runway seat is now in your hand, and what matters most isn't just what you see, but who you see wearing it. What once was a private preview for buyers and editors is now a worldwide entertainment event. Designers don't just stage shows — they produce spectacles. 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At Hermès, even the discreet luxury of woven leather tees and wide trousers took on new meaning as athletes and music stars documented their attendance. Their posts quickly turn exclusive details into mass-market 'must-haves.' Shein and Temu, the global fast-fashion juggernauts, have weaponized the viral moment — turning celebrity sightings into shoppable trends worldwide, sometimes in a matter of hours. The result: What debuts on the Paris catwalk can show up in online shopping carts from Atlanta to Addis Ababa almost instantly. Beneath the celebrity glow, classic trends endure. Streetwear is still king, with oversized silhouettes, soft tailoring and activewear influences everywhere from Dior to Dolce & Gabbana. The Hermès 'cool city guy' and Dolce's pajama dressing — rumpled but rich — are direct answers to how men want to live and move now. But even these trends go mainstream through star power, not just design. 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This interplay between celebrity and fashion is hardly new, but in 2025, the desire for escapism and star-driven spectacle is peaking like never before. 'It's about celebrity clickbait, and it's at a tipping point now. Celebrities have replaced the designers and stylists as the tastemakers,' said Anna Barr, a fashion magazine editor who attended shows. Beyoncé's appearance this week encapsulated a truth that every major brand — from Louis Vuitton to Dior , Hermès to Saint Laurent — now understands: The real front row isn't in Paris, but on Instagram, TikTok and Weibo. And nothing sells quite like a star. Beyoncé's denim look goes viral The pop star's head-to-toe denim — custom Louis Vuitton by Pharrell Williams — wasn't just viral. Within 24 hours, clips of her arrival amassed more than 30 million views on TikTok, outpacing even Louis Vuitton's own campaign content. When Williams presented her with a Speedy bag straight from the runway in the Paris dusk, the moment went viral — underlining that Beyoncé isn't just an attendee, but a face of Louis Vuitton's creative vision. But even as Beyoncé's look became the week's most shared image, her presence in Paris also sparked debate: a Buffalo Soldiers T-shirt she wore during her 'Cowboy Carter' tour ignited criticism from some Indigenous and Mexican communities , reminding the industry that every viral moment can be a flash point. This is the new dynamic of luxury: The most coveted runway seat is now in your hand, and what matters most isn't just what you see, but who you see wearing it. Show, not just tell: Fashion as spectacle What once was a private preview for buyers and editors is now a worldwide entertainment event. Designers don't just stage shows — they produce spectacles. Williams, Louis Vuitton's showman-in-chief, turned his runway into a snakes-and-ladders fantasy with a guest list to match: Beyoncé, Jay-Z, K-pop royalty J-Hope and Jackson Wang, reggaeton star Karol G, and Hollywood names like Bradley Cooper and Mason Thames. Each arrival triggered waves of posts and stories — making the crowd as newsworthy as the collection itself. The modern runway has become a stage for celebrity, where the applause is measured in views and viral moments, and the line between performer and spectator disappears. No other force is shifting menswear trends faster than K-pop. This season, stars like J-Hope, Jackson Wang, GOT7's Bambam, and NCT's Yuta were everywhere, livestreaming shows and igniting fashion frenzies from Seoul to Sao Paulo. These idols are both tastemakers and trend translators, instantly transmitting what they see in Paris to millions of fans. 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New York Post
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