Four enterprising women take us into their spaces to talk about fashion, style and the pieces that defi ne them BY AARON KOK
Four enterprising women take us into their spaces to talk about fashion, style and the pieces that defi ne them BY AARON KOK
Graphic Content
Printed trousers can be worn effortlessly with a white tee and statement earrings.
Bibi Marini earrings, $456, from NET-A-PORTER. T-shirt, $23.90, from Topshop. Pants, $660, from Diane von Furstenberg. Bangles, $1,590 each, from Christopher Kane X Atelier Swarovski. Head wrap cuff and rings, Aarika’s own.
"I’ve been very accustomed to bright colours from a young age"
THE COLOURFUL
DRESSER
AARIKA LEE, 35
Managing Director Of Elementary Co., Musician
As she breezes into her office with her kids Zola Mae and Ari Jon (aged 5 and 2 respectively) in tow, Aarika Lee is a picture of effortless calm. She settles her kids down on the sofa, grabs drinks for us and gets her makeup done – simultaneously. It seems that her gift for multi-tasking comes with the many hats she wears: Musician, mother, wife, entrepreneur. On top of that, Aarika is unmissable in the Singaporean fashion scene, thanks to her head-turning head wraps that help her stand out from the crowd. She unapologetically embraces colour, and proves that even working mums can have fun with their clothes.
Where most working women shy away from colour and texture, you’ve always been known to embrace them readily. Was that a deliberate choice?
“Well I think a lot of it came from my mother. Growing up, she was always in a bright outfit, and even when she had a desk job, she would show up to work in a bright pink tailored suit. She used to always dress my sister and me in really colourful things as well, so I’ve been very accustomed to bright colours from a young age.”
Perhaps your most signature accessory is your head wrap. What sparked your love for wearing them?
“I’ve always had a lot of scarves, which I got from my time studying abroad, but I had no use for them when I came back to Singapore. It was kind of on a whim, because I had a bad hair day and I grabbed a scarf and tried wrapping my head. I went to perform a gig at Clarke Quay and I received so many compliments that it really got me addicted to head wraps. It dawned on me that when I started wearing head wraps, people recognised me more often, so I embraced the idea of having a signature look.”
Over the years, what is the most important style lesson that you’ve learnt?
“I think you need to know what you look good in. Sometimes we’re so distracted by trends or by an outfit that someone else is wearing, but ultimately you need to cut out all the noise and find what works for you.”
STYLE EXTRAS
Wear colour and prints with confidence
THE PRINTED TROUSERS
Pants, $99.90, from Zara.
THE THEATRICAL EARRINGS
Earrings, $695, from Marni.
THE HIGH CUT SNEAKER
Shoes, $220, from Commes des Garçons PLAY x Converse
It’s A Fine Line
Thinking of mixing stripes? Use neutral tones to create a more cohesive look.
Bag from Gucci. Blazer, $136, from Topshop. Pants, $480, from Sandro. Watch and jewellery, Yi Lian’s own.
THE EASY ELEGANCE
DRESSER
NG YI LIAN, 35
Founder Of Yi Lian Ng Floral Atelier
A career switch isn’t something that most would consider in their mid-30s, but Ng Yi Lian did exactly that, leaving her job as a fashion editor and setting up shop as a florist. “It was one of the hardest choices I’ve had to make,” she reminisces. “I was 32 when I left, and I realised how lacking I was in being self-sufficient. Also, my business was just taking off, and I wanted to concentrate on my floristry.” Today, things are looking up for Yi Lian. “It was only after I left to focus on my floral atelier full-time that I started to be able to take care of my family and myself more. I’ve achieved a bit more than what I’d aimed for, and I feel really good about that.” She may have moved industry, but fashion remains very much a part of Yi Lian. While some consider “classic” to be a safe word, she’s able to breathe new life and fresh style into timeless pieces.
When you go shopping, what do you look out for in your clothing?
“I always look for something different in each piece. When you’re exposed to fashion for a period of time like I was in my job as a fashion editor, you tend to go for pieces that stand out and catch your eye. I often pay a lot of attention to silhouettes, and I like things that are a little less run-of-the-mill.”
Over the years, what is the most important style lesson that you’ve learnt?
“Always make sure you buy comfortable clothes. Here’s the thing: No matter how much you love an item, if it’s not comfortable, you won’t wear it more than once or twice. And when you do, you won’t feel the same satisfaction you thought you would.”
What’s a piece of advice Singaporean women should heed for their clothing?
“Fit is a very important factor. A good fit makes a world of difference, and even though it’s the same piece that everyone might have, altering it just that bit changes how you look. Personally, I find that fashion only has a few rules. It’s like my floristry: There are a few fundamental techniques to follow, but other than that, you let your mood and creativity take over. Similarly, I think that as long as it fits perfectly, go ahead and wear whatever you want.”
"Always make sure you buy comfortable clothes"
STYLE EXTRAS
Pops of colour liven up a classic wardrobe
THE “LOOK AT ME” MULES
Shoes, $2,050, from Roger Vivier.
THE KOOKY EARRINGS
Earrings, $35.90, from Mango.
THE LIGHTWEIGHT COAT
Vanessa Bruno coat, $698, from NET-A-PORTER.
Sneaky Business
Try a linen suit with retro-inspired sneakers for an effortless, workapproved look.
Earrings from H&M. Blazer, $690; pants, $415; and shoes $415, all from Sandro. Watch, Joanna’s own.
THE STREET-SMART
DRESSER
JOANNA LAI, 31
Writer And Founder Of The Green Spot
Living green is easier said than done, but Joanna Lai is set on putting her best effort into minimising her carbon footprint on our earth. As the voice behind The Green Spot – a website that shares her journey and tips on zero-waste living – Joanna prefers to stick to pieces that use natural fibres. Having said that, you won’t find her in dowdy maxi skirts and earthy tones. Instead, Joanna embodies an affability that translates into her attire. With a penchant for easy-going and comfy separates, Joanna talks more about her green journey and her style tips.
When you go shopping, what do you look out for in your clothing?
“These days, it’s mileage. I try to see how long I can wear it for, and whether it can match with the pieces I already own. I tend to favour pieces with a strong silhouette rather than colour.”
How has your lifestyle and your work impacted the way you dress?
“It’s fortunate that in my current job, I don’t have to wear anything too formal. Most of the time, you’ll find me in sneakers, but I try to incorporate something tailored into my look, such as a shirt or a pair of pants.”
Fashion is notorious for generating huge amounts of waste. What are some steps shoppers can take to reduce their fashion waste?
“I think zero waste is very personal and you do what you can. Personally, I’ve stopped shopping at fast fashion labels now, just because of the amount of waste they produce. The items rarely last, and that in turn contributes to the waste I produce too. I look out for natural fabrics like cotton, linen and silk, which go back into the earth, so their impact on our environment is less sustained. I try to reduce my dependence on synthetic fabrics, but I know that a lot of active wear is made of synthetic materials. So it’s also about limiting the number of gym clothes you buy, and making sure each piece is used to the end of its life.”
"I try to incorporate something tailored into my look, such as a shirt or a pair of pants"
STYLE EXTRAS
Work androgynous tailoring with a twist
THE SHARP SUIT
Rag & Bone jacket, $780; and pants, $590, both from Club 21 Ladies.
THE QUIRKY EARRINGS
Earrings, $26.90, from Topshop.
Into The Blue
Refresh workplace blues with bold stripes and interesting embellishments.
Earrings, $799; and bangles, $599 each, all from Atelier Swarovski. Figue shirt, $545; and Lela Rose skirt, $825, both from NET-A-PORTER. Shoes from Prada.
THE EVERGREEN
DRESSER
TJIN LEE, 45
Founder Of Mercury Marketing & Communications
For over a decade now, Tjin Lee, has been steadfast in advancing Singapore’s standing in the global fashion industry. She and her team have in past years organised Singapore Fashion Week, bringing some of fashion and Hollywood’s brightest names to our shores to show alongside a stable of local labels. With fashion week on pause for 2018, the team can refocus their direction and their goals. Yet, Singapore’s fashion industry and the future of our local designers remains a passion for this busy mother-of-two.
Can you describe your personal style in three words?
“Classic, confident and relaxed.”
When you go shopping, what do you look out for in your clothing?
“Because I often go from the office to an evening function, I find that I rely a lot on transitional pieces that can go from day to night. For example, I love a good pair of palazzo pants. You can wear them with a white shirt to work, but you can also dress them up with high heels for a party. I also love midi skirts, because the length is just right that you can wear them anytime of the day. I also gravitate to extremes: I’ll either look for something very classic and timeless, or go in the opposite direction and splurge on a piece that’s really whimsical and fun.”
Who are some of your favourite local designers of the moment?
“Before I answer that, I should say that I love women who design for women, because they understand a woman’s body. They understand our concerns and how we live, and they are able to address our problems and worries through their designs. A very good example is The Missing Piece. Dr Fock Ee-Ling, the designer behind the label, is a mum, so she designs clothes for the everyday woman with their bodies in mind. I also like Ying from Ying The Label, because I appreciate that she prioritised her art over fashion. Ying has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, but she also does this out of pure passion, and it comes through in her clothes.”
"If I have to wear heels, I’ll go for a chunky heel. It just seems more practical for a mother of two"
STYLE EXTRAS
Add texture to your 9-to-5 wardrobe
THE STATEMENT SKIRT
Tome skirt, $1,173, from Farfetch.
THE CHUNKY HEEL
Shoes, $269, from Pedder Red.
THE HARDY HANDBAG
Bag, $3,490, from Burberry.
FASHION STYLING: AARON KOK, ASSISTED BY TAN GIN YEE / PHOTOS: ZAPHS ZHANG / MAKEUP: HONG LING, USING YVES SAINT LAURENT BEAUTE / HAIR: ASH LOI/ATELIER, USING KEUNE HAIRCOSMETICS SINGAPORE / SPECIAL THANKS: THE GREAT ROOM CENTENNIAL TOWER
