Fast cars, free-flowing champagne and models in racy lingerie will turn up the heat as the sexy Formula One engines roar into town later this month.
But far from the action at Marina Bay, the spotlight will turn to a gaggle of celebrities and the who's who in high society at the Mercedes-Benz Centre in Alexandra Road for the red-hot Stylo Fashion Grand Prix (SFGP) Singapore on Sept 26.
The event, open only to invited guests, is the brainchild of Datuk Nancy Yeoh, president and chief executive of the Singapore-based events company Stylo International, which injected a heady mix of glamour, fashion and late-night parties to mark the 10th anniversary of the Malaysian Grand Prix in March.
The one-night gala in Singapore, SFGP's second instalment which costs over $500,000, will see the 12,600 sq m Mercedes-Benz Centre, a luxury car showroom, transform into what the organisers call a Scarlet Mansion.
It will feature 10 diferently themed salons on two levels with fortune-telling gypsies, race simulators and more.
One boudoir furnished with plush red sofas, crystal chandeliers and walls accentuated with velvet drapes will feature models in La Perla lingerie.
Mr Alex Martin, Stylo's events director, says: 'We have created the small salons so that every nook and corner of the building is interesting.'
There will be a 18m runway on the second level for a fashion show which will showcase the creations of five local designers - Heng Nam Nam, Frederick Lee, Francis Cheong, Jo Soh and Nicholas Wong - alongside Malaysian designers such as Michael Ong and Melinda Looi.
After that, the room will be turned into a funky dance club for 600 invited guests.
Datuk Yeoh tells Life!: 'As the Grand Prix is basically a male-dominated sport, Stylo was originally created for women.'
She runs RAPR Mileage Communications, a public relations firm in Kuala Lumpur, and says she was approached by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in March to host the fashion show as part of the grand prix's highlights.
She says: 'It was an opportunity not to be missed. It's Singapore first race and F1's inaugural night race.'
Two years ago, she was fascinated by what she saw during the F1 media frenzy in Monaco. On that trip, she roped in her friend and well-known shoemaker, Jimmy Choo, to be Stylo's adviser.
With his help, the KL event showcased the latest Autumn/Winter Collection of London-based designer Ben de Lisi, whose clients include actresses Kate Winslet and Helena Bonham Carter.
It is no surprise then that many are clamouring to be on Stylo's guest list here. Datuk Yeoh says: 'It's not easy trying to accommodate everyone on the guest list.'
Judging from the overwhelming response, she does not rule out the possiblity of the show being a ticketed event in future.
One could draw comparisons between it and another exclusive party Amber Lounge, at Temasek Reflection, Temasek Avenue, on Sept 27 and 28.
Conceived in 2002 by Sonia Irvine, sister of former F1 racer Eddie Irvine, the event is for the rich and famous, drawing everyone from millionaire drivers to supermodels.
Mr Chang Chee Pey, Singapore Tourist Board's regional director, says the events will further burnish Singapore's image as a world-class entertainment capital.
Singapore is one of the five grand prix destinations - the other four being Barcelona, Monaco, Shanghai and Valencia - to host the party venue in F1's calender.
Unlike the by-invitation-only fashion show, Amber Lounge charges 500 euros (S$1,037) for a VIP pass while a table for eight is priced at 3,995 euros and 7,250 euros with a free flow of drinks.
When asked how her show would measure up to Amber Lounge, Datuk Yeoh says: 'We bring the same excitement and sophistication as Amber Lounge. At Stylo, we marry an international event with an Asian flavour that is unique.'
This article was first published in The Straits Times on Sep 5, 2008.
