Terry Yeo (TY): The label name is inspired from a London asylum that opened in the 12th century. Bedlamites was the term used to address the patients that were discharged from there. I like how the word has an archaic meaning in the current world and yet is ridden with a past of the insane and the lingering reminisce of lunacy burdened on the word. bedlamite will have future collections with themes relating to different mental situations. 

I want to play with unusual cuttings within the form of traditional shirts and trousers. I attempt this with the shifting of the seams to play with the structure, darting, an unexpected opening for the clothes, and with variable detailing in pockets, collars and cuffs. bedlamite wearer will be someone who is willing to explore beyond the traditional outfit, someone who wants to go a notch above “safe” and notices the technicality behind the garment. 

TSG: Tell us more about your inspirations behind bedlamite this season? How was that inspiration first sparked?  

TY:  We work in our own quirky/strange ways, and yet we are seen as different or our actions are frowned upon by others if we do not follow the general herd. This collection inspiration talks about how the daily limitations and strange confining expectations we put ourselves in causes our conscious effort to live felt trapped in; driving us crazy in our own self made asylum.  

TSG: In the eyes of Terry Yeo, what exactly is fashion?  

TY: Fashion is part of our life and how we express ourselves. We transmit what we feel that day without saying a word through what we wear, the accessories we layer on and the colours we select. It is an expansion of our creative psyche, to share our view or mindset for that day.  

TSG: Which do you enjoy more: the formulation or the implementation of an idea?  

TY: I enjoy implementation of a collection. As I like to create the outfit from a flat drawing to an actual three-dimensional piece. I enjoy the drafting part like how to create the outfit, shifting of the seams to the measurement of the garment and playing with the dimensions of the clothes.  

TSG: Up to now, many would assume that you are more of a menswear designer. Give us a sneak peek of what we’re able to expect from bedlamite.  

TY: Our mission is to create an unconventional style beyond the imagination of tradition. Our vision is to create a new style that provides consumers with another option when purchasing, while providing the brand an opportunity to create a new fashion statements in the local fashion line.  

As mentioned earlier, the bedlamite theme will always have a link to different form of mental institutions, insanity classifications or levels of madness. I think it is a great way to express frustrations from our surroundings and express it through the clothes we wear.  

TSG: If there is a person you look up to, or aspire to be, who would it be?  

TY: Vivienne Westwood. She can use the old English aesthetic and twist it around to create different new age ideas. Since I am also interested in structural detailing and the technicality behind creating outfits, I love how her clothes seams runs around the garment, and her play with structure. She keeps away from convention and has kept to her aesthetics.  

TSG: What made you collaborate with Test Shoot Gallery for your ad campaign this season?  

TY: Test Shoot Gallery has an experimental vision. I like seeing how each shoot has its own concept. It is expression of the clothing without putting the clothes into direct product placement. It is more about the atmosphere or feel of the brand.  

TSG: How did you get to know about Test Shoot Gallery?  

TY: From industry friends who have noticed the creativity of TSG. I even heard from friends outside of the industry. These friends are drawn to the artistic vision and efforts committed to the spreads TSG produce.  

TSG: Is the idea of creative collaboration important to you?  

TY: Of course. I get my inspirations from different media and different ideas. I love such collaborations as they bring in fresh ideas and share different views all together.  

TSG: Many designers have been exploring the different mediums of presenting their work through videos and short films. Would you consider catching up with that trend in the future?  

TY: Currently I have no plans to do that. But in the future, of course I am open to ideas about incorporating my designs into art installations or even short films. It will be exciting to explore different mediums to reinterpret fashion and its purpose.  

TSG: What can we look forward to from bedlamite next season?  

TY: We’re in the midst of diagnosing and preparing the right treatment for a male patient who suffers from Schizophrenic behavior. Excuse us while we study and proceed with the right treatment.  

TSG: Lastly, your thoughts on the future of fashion? Both the domestic and overseas industries.  

TY: With the growth of fashion trends education over the Internet, fashion awareness is spreading faster and this allows more people to become fashion conscious. Healthier competition between designers allows for better 

designs to be churned out. Fail to make a dent, and you sink. Overseas consumers are getting more aware of our little red dot in fashion as we continue to expand. With globalization through Internet shopping, consumers can choose to buy worldwide. Expect the fashion consumerism to be more accessible.  

TSG: Thank you for this wonderful conversation.