Heng Qiwen (Gwen),

28, @gwenstellamade, health-care professional at a public hospital

Vintage om ieves’ Market, in

Grease and Sydney

“I have always liked old stuff. My dad used to take me to the Sungei Road Thieves’ Market when I was young. The rst time I watched

Grease, I really liked the songs, the clothes and everything about it. But it was only during my university years in Sydney that I discovered thrift shops, learnt more about vintage style, and immersed myself in the vintage scene. I even took up rock ’n’ roll and rockabilly dancing classes in my nal uni year. Everyone in the dance classes wore the most fabulous vintage-style clothes, and that was what really inspired me to continue to pursue this style.

While the ’50s and ’60s are my favourite eras, I do also like the ’40s and the ’70s. I love the style of Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, and Jane Birkin (but only for her wicker bags).

Making your own retro saves money

I took a dressmaking class when I was 20 because I wanted to make unique retro clothes for myself, and true vintage clothes are quite expensive. It’s also hard to nd off-the-rack things that t well, so making my own clothes is a good way to make sure that the clothes t me better.

The six- to eight-week course was held once a week at Bishan Community Club, and it taught me the basics of garment-making. My rst project was a blue oral shirt, which I made using my friend’s sewing machine. I eventually got one of my own in Sydney with allowance money I saved up, and I still use it now; I lugged it all the way back to Singapore!

I usually spend under $100 to make a dress. A yard of fabric costs roughly $10, and for a dress with a poufy ’50s-style skirt, it takes up to four to ve yards. I get my clothing patterns mostly from Spotlight, but if I want real vintage ones, I get them online.

Wicker bags are my obsession

I’m a big fan of ’50s- and ’60s-style wicker bags. I like hunting for second-hand ones in thrift shops or online. The one I am carrying in the picture was just $4. I got it at a thrift store in Sydney many years ago. It was just a plain bag, but I loved the handle and the shape. So I got some lace and ribbon from a craft store, stuck them onto the bag with a hot-glue gun, and it made the bag a whole lot cuter.

Engaged in ’50s style

I made a Hawaiian shirt for my ance and matching Hawaiian shorts for myself for our tropical engagement party last month in Texas. Designer Alfred Shaheen, who popularised Hawaiian shirts, sarongs and dresses in the ’50s, inspired us. A vintage Alfred Shaheen dress can go for more than US$200 (S$277).”