Between raising her two-year-old and running a slow living business, super-mum Bella Koh nails her work wardrobe with relaxed silhouettes, effortless styling and her favourite accessory: A wellmade bag.
Between raising her two-year-old and running a slow living business, super-mum Bella Koh nails her work wardrobe with relaxed silhouettes, effortless styling and her favourite accessory: A wellmade bag.
Jacket Required
Make way for a slouchy blazer, and balance out its cut with skinny denim.
Earrings, $89, from Slowhouse. Totême top, $730, from NET-A-PORTER. Jeans, $89.90, from Topshop. Bag, $1,390, from Bally.
"For me, when I buy a bag, I always check the workmanship of the lining. You can tell whether the bag is wellmade based on how the finishing of its inside looks."
Work Blues
Updated with a sci-fi foil print, match a crinkled shirt with wide-leg pants and cool earrings.
Earrings, $89, from Slowhouse. Golden Goose Deluxe Brand shirt, $660, from Pedder On Scotts. Staud pants, $290, from NET-APORTER. Bag (on counter), $3,400, from Tod’s.
Neutral Party
Neutrals don’t have to be boring when you amp them up with a monogram bag.
Earrings, $89, from Slowhouse. Jacket, $99.90, from Uniqlo. Dress from 3.1 Phillip Lim. Top (worn underneath), $270, from Bimba Y Lola. Bag, $1,600, from Gucci.
Bella, if you could describe your style in one word, what would it be?
“Constant. At the end of the day I tend to fall back on a tried-and-tested wardrobe of staples that never fail me. I love bright colours and clean lines! As a working mother, I look for pieces that fit my lifestyle, are stylish and uncompromisingly functional.”
What do you look out for when you go shopping?
“Nowadays, I’ve found that I need to be able to identify with the brand. It’s the brand’s values and the philosophy, and whether that relates to me, which sways my decision to buy an item. Also, when I buy a new bag, I always check the workmanship of the lining. You can tell whether the bag is well-made based on how the finishing of its inside looks.”
What empowers you?
“Knowing I’ve found a balance in life. I find that when I have everything in order, and I can balance the time spent on work and with my family, it makes me feel like I’m on top of everything and gives me the power to maintain this balance.”
Tell us more about Slowhouse.
“Slowhouse is more than just a place or a brand to me. It is a way of living, be it for food or fashion. It became a way for me to share the knowledge I’ve learnt and acquired with other women. When I gave birth to my daughter, I made a lot of my own toddler food, and I began to notice this was what other mothers wanted to know. Given how busy working mothers are today, cooking has become a bit of a luxury, and so I wanted to be able to share tips and the practices that can help them take better care of their families and themselves. Even in the accessories that we bring in, we want to make sure they are affordable without compromising on the quality, so you can wear them more.”
EXTRA EXTRA!
Chain Of Cool
A chain handle shoulder bag looks effortlessly chic.
Earrings, $89, from Slowhouse. Coat, $835, from Maje. Studio top, $74.95, from H&M. Bag, $7,220, from Bottega Veneta.
Hanky Business
The new skirt to invest in? A floaty handkerchief skirt that’s perfect for our weather.
Earrings, $89, from Slowhouse. Studio top, $74.95, from H&M. Skirt, $79.90, from Topshop. Shoes, $1,230, from Salvatore Ferragamo. Bag, $750, from Coach.
Earn Your Stripes
Striped pants have plenty of leg-lengthening superpowers, and go great with a boxy ladylike bag.
Earrings, $89, from Slowhouse. Shirt, $79.90, from Topshop. Pants, $580, from Tory Burch. Bag, $3,920, from Roger Vivier. Shoes, $45.90, from Charles & Keith.
FASHION STYLING & TEXT: AARON KOK, ASSISTED BY REMIKO ONDA & TAN GIN YEE / PHOTOS: TAN WEI TE, ASSISTED BY GONG YI MIN / MAKEUP: KEITH BRYANT LEE, USING CHANEL / HAIR: ASH LOI/ATELIER USING KEUNE HAIRCOSMETICS SINGAPORE / LOCATIONS: MERCI MARCEL, THE SLOWHOUSE
