IN LIVING COLOUR

Fashion designer Frederick Lee takes you on a tour of his studio.

Fashion designer Frederick Lee takes you on a tour of his studio.

LIKE HIS CREATIONS, THE INTERIOR OF HIS STUDIO REFLECTS THE POISED YET COLOURFUL CHARACTER FREDERICK IS. IT IS ALSO A TRO VE OF COLLECTIBLES AMASSED FROM HIS TRAVELS.

Hidden among a row of industrial offices and workshops, in a corner of Aljunied, is Frederick Lee’s playground, where he magically combines fabrics and feathers to create one-of-a-kind gowns and dresses sought after by the well-heeled around the region. Like his creations, the interior of his studio refiects the poised yet colourful character that Frederick is. It is also a trove of collectibles amassed from his travels.

Every corner is filled with knick-knacks in vibrant colours and with textural appeal, while a full-height bookshelf takes centre stage, showcasing many of Frederick’s favourite reads. Amid the organised chaos, the intricate designs of his gown collection stand out prominently, owing to his use of eye-catching materials, such as exotic feathers, sequins and crystal beads that glitter in the light.

Hailing from a background in culinary arts, Frederick realised early that cooking as a career was not his cup of tea. “I want to cook for family and friends and do it as a hobby, but not as a career,” he shares.

“Fashion has always been in my blood and I truly enjoy creating beautiful things. I want to be able to bring my audience and clients to a different ‘world’, where I present a story (stylistically),” he adds.

As a self-taught designer, his career began in his early 20s when he made garments for friends. It gradually boosted his confidence as more people began appreciating his works, and that eventually opened up opportunities for him to design stunning wedding gowns, as well as flamboyant costumes for national events including the National Day Parade, Youth Olympic Games and even theatre productions.

As an established fashion designer, his keen eye for design made decking out the colourful studio an easy task. “With interior design, like fashion, it is important to have a vision before starting a project. I was able to visualise the look I wanted – how I’d display my items and what emotions I wanted to derive from that,” Frederick explains.

A piece of advice from this fashion expert to homeowners designing their abode: “Rather than trying different themes, gravitate towards a style you can call your own. Start with a basic palette and style the space with things you like. You won’t go wrong,” he says.

Fondly referred to by many in the industry as the godfather of Singapore’s couture scene, Frederick Lee once shared in an interview that “as a fashion designer, one has to be a good storyteller”. That has been the focus of Frederick’s creations for over two decades, and the formula for his success. It is not surprising then that he adopted the same sentiment when it came to the design of his work studio.