SARTORIALISTS
We pounded the streets of Singapore to find you real street style stars.
ALIF SIANIPAR, 23, APPRENTICE BARBER
Describe your sense of style. “I tend to go for outfits with a ’70s flair... I usually keep them simple, but pay attention to colours and the overall silhouette so that they’re interesting yet practical.”
SUN JIABAO, 32, TEACHER
What were you thinking about when you were getting dressed today? “I was feeling lazy and wanted to be able to get dressed in 15 minutes before heading out. When I laid eyes on this blue skirt in my wardrobe, I decided that I would put together my whole outfit using it as the focal point.”
EVIN TAN, 22, RETAIL ASSOCIATE
What are you wearing? “The T-shirt with this sculpted silhouette is from Comme des Garcons – it’s the first piece of Comme that I own and I was very excited to wear it to work today. The top I’ve layered under is by Kenzo and I bought it from a thrift shop in Johor Baru. I don’t remember where my skirt is from. My boots are from Dr Martens.”
KIMBERLY KIONG, 23, PHOTOGRAPHER
Do you think you look fashionable and does that matter to you? “If being fashionable means being trendy, then the answer would depend on whether one has the access and means to afford what’s considered in style at the moment. That and the taste for it. With that, I don’t fuss too much over whether or not I look fashionable to others.”
FURQAN SAINI, 39, FASHION DIRECTOR & FASHION MEDIA LECTURER What are you wearing?
“The shirt is from Helmut Lang – I’ve had it for 10 years and it’s been bleached a couple of times to maintain its whiteness. My suspenders, keychain and boots are all Prada. My shorts are from Yoshio Kubo, the leather bag from Miharayasuhiro and bangle from Alexander Wang. I’ve had some of these pieces for many years. It’s not always about wearing what’s current or trending.”
Describe your sense of style.
“IDGAF?... I buy into design and my purchases tend to be pieces that are conceptual yet classic, high on quality in terms of their make. I do love clothes. I love how they’re identity markers and the way one wears them is a form of self-expression. I also love studying the construction of a garment; its fabric, cut, material, texture and silhouette; the ideas and business behind it; and how it can be used to tell stories. I guess that’s why I do what I do.”
What were you thinking about when you were getting dressed today?
“I was going to deliver a lecture on the social structures of power and how gender-bending played a role in that – hence my decision to wear these utilitarian-looking combat boots with shorts that look like a skirt. I tend to dress thematically.”
Tell us something interesting about you.
“I’m an avid reader and a voracious devourer of culture. My obsession with culture makes me a bit of a nerd with my interests running the gamut from graphic novels to Hindi films and Ted Talks to a wide, wide range of music – from German opera to Kelala, Joji to Indo pop and even Hokkien love songs.”
YAO XIN, 26, PERSONAL SHOPPER What are you wearing?
“The suit is from my own e-store on Taobao called Yaoxinnn. The T-shirt is from Uniqlo’s +J range while my bag and boots are from Bottega Veneta.”
Describe your sense of style.
“Striking a balance is what I find most important when it comes to dressing up. For example, I’d pick masculine pantsuits in a lighter or more feminine colour, or when I’m dressing down, I’d complete the look with interesting accessories that create a stronger presence. I find that balance helps one to look stylish without trying too hard.”
What were you thinking about when you were getting dressed today?
“I had a business meeting and wanted to look sharp and stylish, but not too formal.”
Do you think you look fashionable and does that matter to you?
“I used to pay more attention to looking fashionable when I was younger. Now that I’m working in the fashion industry, I see doing so as part and parcel of my life.”
LEONG HON KIT, 39, SPATIAL DESIGNER What are you wearing?
“The hat is from Hermes. It’s not a brand I generally shop at, but this hat really caught my eye with its leather patch pocket that I find a fun detail. My optical frames are from Masunaga, which I have been wearing for the past seven years. The shirt is from Jil Sander. I love the weight and structure of the fabric and the pop of yellow on the chest pockets is a nice touch. The T-shirt I’ve on underneath is from Cos while my ‘watch’ is actually the face-less Timeless Watch bracelet from Ambush. Everything else is also from Jil Sander. I really enjoy the cut of the pants and how it allows me to move, as well as the subtle details like the buttoned cinch on the back and vertical darting running down from below the knees in front.”
RACHAEL CHEONG, 26, FASHION DESIGNER & FOUNDER OF THE LABEL CLOSET CHILDREN What are you wearing?
“A vintage dress from @grannyvenus_vintageshop, a specialist in secondhand clothes that stocks at the Siam Square boutique Daddy and the Muscle Academy in Bangkok, which is where I got the dress from. The mask is a limited-edition Closet Children Bo Peep mask I made for the Singapore-based multi-label store Super Freak. My earrings are samples of the new jewellery line I’m releasing, done with chainmail weaving while my socks are from Taobao and the sneakers are from Skechers – I got them for a trip to Israel during which I did a lot of walking and met many cats.”
YUYU PAN, 50, ENTREPRENEUR What are you wearing?
“My suit is by a Chinese designer named Seraph Sin. Her label has been around for five years and I like that her designs are quite genderless, which I find powerful. Most of my accessories are from Chanel, including the brooch, bag and waist chains, and are all birthday gifts from my friends. My watch is my favourite accessory: a limited-edition, vintageinspired timepiece from Piaget.”
Tell us something interesting about you.
“My job is to increase awareness of Chinese designers by bringing them to other countries (to retail). My own personal fashion interest meanwhile lies in making the way I dress more environmentally friendly such as figuring out new ways to wear a white shirt to get more use out of it and expand its lifespan.”
Do you think you look fashionable and does that matter to you?
“Maybe in the eyes of others? Personally I just like dressing up every day – putting thought into what I wear gives me a sense of ritual. Throughout eras, clothing has power that goes beyond the surface.”
MELVIN LEE, 27, SALES EXECUTIVE What are you wearing?
“My earrings and Gabrielle bag are from Chanel; the necklace is from this streetwear label called WhenSmokeClears; my rings are from Cartier; and my watch and sneakers are from Gucci. I thrifted the blazer and shorts from a vintage store online while my tee is from Cos.”
Describe your sense of style.
“I’m pretty versatile and can go from street to preppy. I like putting together outfits to suit different occasions and moods.”
What were you thinking about when you were getting dressed today?
“I attended an event earlier today and had a lunch appointment so I was thinking a mix of casual yet quirky, thus the outfit.”
Do you think you look fashionable and does that matter to you?
“I would like to think so – or at least my peers tell me so. It does matter to me because I often look at how people dress, so I would expect others to be doing the same to me. Dressing well is a way of showing that you have respect for yourself as well as the people around you.”
PARVEEN HASSANBHAI, 33, FREELANCE PUBLIC AND DIGITAL RELATIONS EXECUTIVE What are you wearing?
“A Comme des Garcons jacket with bows on the back, shirt, pants and bag – all bought at the brand’s standalone boutique at Hilton Hotel before Dover Street Market Singapore came into existence. The shoes are from Gucci.”
Describe your sense of style.
“Androgynous, unconventional and comfortable.”
What were you thinking about when you were getting dressed today?
"That I was going to run some errands, but I ended up getting lunch, walking around and running into you guys."
Tell us something interesting about you.
"My name means Pleiades a cluster of bright stars, which were important in ancient Greek history – they were meant to delimit the sailing season.”
Do you think you look fashionable and does that matter to you?
“I think I look decent: not the most conventionally so, but I think I do pretty okay? It does matter to a certain extent. I feel that how one dresses is reflection of how one takes care of him or herself and how you want to present yourself to others.”
HAIKAL AFFENDY, 22, RETAIL ASSOCIATE What are you wearing?
“I bought the newsboy cap from a friend who had thrifted it in Johor Baru. The hoodie is from Rassvet. My jeans are actually from the women’s section at Uniqlo – I cut off the hem to shorten them and left the edges raw. I’ve had these Dr Martens 1460 boots since I was 15 – they were originally burgundy in colour, but I spray painted them black. Over time, the black coat has chipped off, creating an uneven finish that I love. And all my jewellery were designed by close friends.”in colour, but I spray-painted them black. Over time, the black coat has chipped off, creating an uneven finish that I love. And all my jewellery were designed by close friends.”
RAFIQ MOHAMED, 35, BRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Do you think you look fashionable and does that matter to you?
“I don’t think so and it’s not something that I am concerned with. I prefer that my clothes not distract me or my clients when I’m working.”
SHERYLL GOH, 28, ARTIST, CREATIVE PRODUCER & STYLING ASSISTANT Describe your sense of style.
“The sartorial equivalent of M&S food hall on a ‘reduced to clear’ budget.”
LYN KUA, 36, ENTREPRENEUR & CO-FOUNDER OF LOCAL TAILORING COMPANY ASSEMBLE Do you think you look fashionable and does that matter to you?
“I think instead of looking fashionable, I want to look like I know my personal style and what suits me best, which is incredibly essential as a tailor, designer and stylist in my trade.”