Many proclaim that Singapore's like a 40 year-old virgin with a dried out 'nether region' of work drones and mindless sheep, lacking in pulsating culture lubricants that can only be induced by 'desigasms'. I can only attribute this perspective on the lack of support from the mass media on raising awareness of culture-boosting initiatives.

Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) are investing/sponsoring decent money to cultivate the ideal incubator for Singapore's future culture-makers (Photographers, designers and musicians). Mercedes-Benz and Motorola are leading the way with mega sponsorships on über-cool events and talents. Not only restating themselves as cooler than thou brands, they've been opening doors for local talents and ergo, inspiring younger generations to trod down the path of what older generations would condemn as alternative - or deviant - paths.

Formal congregations of Singapore's beloved creative geniuses have only been escalating in recent years.

Since its conception in 2004, the regional finals of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Awards have been held in Singapore on an annual basis, and it's been no simple affair boasting one of the best prizes and prospects - Just look at Ashley Isham (personal friend to Tyra Banks and one-time guest judge on America's next top model). It's no wonder that the Ashley Isham fairytale has been one helluva 'Oprah-worthy' fable that has been constantly regurgitated amongst local design students.

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Awards is probably one of the most prestigious design competitions internationally. This year's award winner - Malaysian Designer 27 year-old Syaiful Bahrim- won himself a cash prize of US$10,000, an internship at the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Centre in Japan and an opportunity to work with respected Singaporean designer Ashley Isham in London. Like it isn't enough to send him over the moon, Bahrim also got to showcase his collection at the recently concluded Mercedes Australian Fashion Week'06. Enough to throw Jay Carroll (winner of Project Runway) into a guilt-fully entertaining sissy fit I'd say.

Just last March, Motorola's SUPER-StyleMix'06 -organised by Style Asia - saw the exhibition of local hair guru David's Gan work (in the form of magazine covers, not wigs!) at the spanking new Red Dot Design Museum - a befitting homage to the luminary and the imprints he had made on the local design scene. I'd bet my bottom dollar that Zhang Ziyi made our little red dot on the world map a lil' brighter ever since declaring Gan as her favourite hairstylist, favouring him over famed tinsel-town stylists who have had their hands on the tresses of the likes of Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron.

The exhilarating week long showcase also saw the brilliant fusion of style, design, art and music where creative mavens SBTG, The Killer Gerbil, Frü Frü & Tigerlily and Dekonstruckt adorned the Red Dot Design Museum with mind-blowing art installations, whilst brands like FCUK and Woods and Woods teamed up with music maestros like DJ Ash (Guerrilla) that sent both fashionistas and audiophiles into a euphoric frenzy.

Driven by an addiction to hunt for what's cool, and feeding on an obsession to 'style Asia' (in their own words), Style Asia - headed by Hideki Akiyoshi, Creative Regional Director of Style Asia - is on an insane speed to infuse design and lifestyle, creating super cool cross-fertilizations with symbiotic brilliance. Watch out for Style Asia's upcoming event - the Singapore Water polo Championships'06 slated to take place in June'06 that will debunk your stereotype of the sport.

For the rest of you still looking for a job, or have decided to bum around till semester starts in August, why not try out an interesting apprenticeship with Noise Singapore or start working out your left brains over that fashion or product design you've always wanted to complete? This season is design season, with a flurry of competitions that could lead the way out of that dead-end quandary of a faculty you're stuck in.

If you're looking for a way out of a 4-walled cubicle, and you are somehow blessed with a penchant for creativity, or maybe you just wanna try something new this holiday, then grab them application forms and put on your green hats before closing date ensues!