MAYBE it's patriotism - which is on a natural high today, as it's National Day - but I've always believed in the local fashion scene.

From models to designers, I lament the lack of local faces come fashion festivals.

I whine about it like a moose on the loose so often, that I've become a pain even in my own butt.

But I'm not about to give up.

Today seems to be the best time to turn the spotlight on all things Singaporean in fashion.

So let's salute the local names we have come to love and respect.

From the time of Tan Yoong, Thomas Wee, Celia Loe, Bobby Chng, Juit Leng, Yang Derong and David Wang; to Hayden Ng, Frederick Lee and Francis Cheong.

And now, the designs of Alfie Leong, Nicholas Wong, Baylene, Desmond Yang and Keith Png are the toast of the town.

The latest to make a splash is a bag label created by former models Celia Teh and Jessie Leong.

Called Muiik (www.muiik.com), the range of luxury bags are sold across the globe, from Zurich to Kuwait, New York to Hong Kong.

Loco over local

This list of local thrills may be far from exhaustive. Yet, that is what's so fabulous: There are too many great local designers to be named in one article.

Over the years, support for local fashion rose and ebbed.

In the '80s, with Singaporean supermodels - all hail Pat Kraal (who's back in Singapore for a visit), Hanis, Ethel Fong and Nora Ariffin - on the catwalks, local designers were working full swing and Singaporeans supported Singaporeans.

It was an amazing time.

In the '90s, with international labels flooding in, the local design scene took a back seat.

But now, thankfully, it has become a good balance of international and local.

Each year, a fresh batch of labels appear and hopefully, stay and make an impact.

Here are five new local labels that offer different points of view. The diversity is dazzling.

Some are so new they don't even have a store, while some are already retailing in London (yay globalisation!).

Give these labels a chance and support. Make it your resolution to buy local this year.

1 MARILYNN

THE three designers behind the label Marilynn say their brand embodies femininity.

And the label was born out of 'idle chatter' six months ago.

Spokesman Marilyn Ann Tan, 29, said: 'The name embodied what the brand is all about. We realised that there was a market for what we were doing.'

Their specialty is in the draping of fabrics and Ms Tan promises that each collection will remain small and exclusive. But the price will remain friendly.

This piece, worn by The New Paper New Face 2009 finalist Victoria Bradbury retails between $199 and $249, depending on the material used.

Worn correctly, drapes can be very forgiving for a lot of body types, and if you are creative, you can wear it many ways.

You can go to www.drapedbymarilynn.blogspot.com for information. Or join their Facebook group (look for Draped by Marilynn).

2 RECKLESS ERICKA

RECKLESS Ericka is the current darling of the local design scene.

Their clothes have been worn by actress Patricia Mok and American Next Top Model Cycle 5 winner, Nicole Linkletter.

Reckless Ericka has a team of 3 designers: Singaporean Afton Chen, 22; Diorelle Sy, 22, from the Philippines; and Ruth Marbun, 23, from Indonesia.

Explained Ms Chen: 'We are inspired by a fictional character, Ericka, who is free-spirited, not afraid to be wrong, and we would like to capture that in our designs.'

She added: 'It's refined and tasteful tailored pieces mixed with edgy and experimental clothes.'

Avena Seow wears a Reckless Ericka tailcoat jacket ($339), with bi-coloured women's shirt-dress ($219) and L-Shaped Pants ($259).

You'll find them online at www.recklessericka.com, or at Antipodean (27A Lorong Mambong), BlackMarket (19 Jalan Pisang) and in London at The Shop by NOT JUST A LABEL.

3 ELOHIM

MALAYSIA-BORN, Singapore-based designer Sabrina Goh is the soul behind Elohim, which means God of creativity in Hebrew.

'It is the motivation and also the main source for me to find inspiration,' she explained.

The 25-year-old said her clothes are 'minimal, structural and androgynous', meant for someone who is 'confident and understands herself well.'

This outfit - worn by Leong Yuting - retails at $319.

There is a red version of the dress that Ms Goh designed for the Singapore Heart Foundation-Little Red Dress Project.

But that doesn't mean you cannot buy her designs.

Go to BlackMarket, along Victoria Street and Hide and Seek (22B Hong Kong Street).

The label is also available in New York at Pixiemarket (between Orchard & Ludlow) and The Shop in London.

Or shop online at www.sabrinagoh.com.

4 MAX TAN

MAX Tan may only be 24, but he has been designing for four years. His maturity can be seen in his designs, which are edgy and surprising.

He said: 'I experiment a lot with tailoring and cuts.'

Mr Tan finds inspiration from people and events around him.

He explained: '(This) allows me to conceptualise my collections in a way that is truly a reflection of who I am.'

He doesn't design with a single woman in mind.

'My clients' age range is pretty wide and I'm surprised how my garments can actually fit into various wardrobes.

'But it's essentially for someone who understands cut and design and craves something more experimental.'

The double-layered mesh handkerchief dress - as worn by Vanessa Vanderstraaten - retails at $319, and you'll find it at BlackMarket and Eggthree (33 Erskine Road).

5 CARAMEL & CO

Mel Chen and Fernn Ho - both graduates from Temasek Polytechnic's design school - design for the label Caramel.

Ms Chen explains their name: 'Caramel itself is bitter sweet, therefore it has a unique and beautiful taste just like the dresses we design.'

The duo design cocktail dresses.

'Each design comes as a sole piece each or a piece in each colour.'

You can expect to pay about $300 onwards for a dress, and this outfit, called Lux Green, retails for $329.

Visit the shop at 25A Bukit Pasoh Road.

This article was first published in The New Paper.