Yin and Yang
When styles collide, it’s a romance of the fashionable kind. Be inspired with a peek at January So and Aaron Chin’s musthaves as we talk to them on the inspiration behind their fashion
“I make it a point to not confine myself to any one style” —January So
One a riot of colour, the other a zen minimalist who favours mostly monochrome shades and cool tones—perhaps it’s true when they say opposites attract? When we meet January So (affectionately known as Jan to her friends) and her significant other, Aaron Chin, it’s this stark contrast in fashion that we see first, before we notice the yin and yang of their personalities too. “I value and prioritise the freedom of creativity above all else, so I make it a point to not confine myself to any one style. But I’m almost always colourful!” the ever-bubbly Jan announces as she meticulously lays out her vibrant treasure trove of items for the shoot. Nestled among her favourites is a ‘Le Petit Prince’ scarf by artist Shantell Martin, a sentimental item of hers, seeing as it was Aaron’s first gift to her. Aaron’s collection, however, leans more towards the minimalist approach. “My collections are transitional. I’m in the process of going ‘Marie Kondo’ on my wardrobe, decluttering and picking out garments that don’t serve me anymore, to donate them to people who would find them useful,” he explains, with a zen-like calm over sips of espresso while Jan flits about their loft-style apartment, adding their favourite items to the growing pile. Perhaps it is easier to describe Jan and Aaron’s fashion choices as being from Tokyo and Kyoto respectively, with just enough of that quirky edge to prove that they aren’t simply trend or brand chasers. Despite the obvious differences, both share an affinity for pieces which allow their inner creativity to shine, as well as the belief that you should always dress for yourself instead of hopping on the trend bandwagon, with January admitting to Diy-ing some of her pieces to suit her personal style, while Aaron’s wardrobe consists of apparels that are not merely another outfit, but art forms. Where do they get their inspiration from; and do they plan their seemingly coordinated outfits? “I draw inspiration from cultures, visual and objects that I come into contact with. Though sometimes it is simply my innate creative force that drives me to play with different fabrics—layering them upon each other to see what comes of it. Inspiration comes from anywhere and nowhere for me,” Jan explains. Aaron is succint: “People I see and meet on my travels.” Being an entrepreneur, he vastly honed his sense of style by simply throwing on labels and tailored outfits to save on time; however, these days Aaron tends to focus more on dressing how he wants to feel.