Islean Valath, born in Singapore and raised in Hong Kong and Australia, found herself unsatisfied with corporate life, so she packed in her stable job at a bank to follow her lifelong passion for fashion. Launched last year, ARC has been praised for its dramatic silhouettes, designed to emphasise a woman's natural curves.

Valath's fascination with structure and the juxtaposition of soft curves and hard linear shapes have formed the basis of her label. Fabrics are chosen specifically to "support the woman's body so that everything looks taut and firm", she says. Created to celebrate women in a modern and feminine way, ARC's autumn-winter collection is bold, elegant and full of beautifully tailored body-con dresses, monochromes and asymmetrical peplum tops.

We love the asymmetrical black peplum blouse (HK$2,298), paired with high-waist cigarette trousers (HK$1,230; both right centre). The futuristic cowl hood dress (far right; HK$2,298) has dark piping that emphasises a curvy silhouette; for a more casual look, it can be zipped halfway and worn as a top with jeans. The revealing, zippered black dress (right; HK$2,298) is also a favourite.