Editor’s Note
It’s been an exciting month of firsts for me at the magazine. For one, I’ve never shot someone as young as 65 for the cover—with the added bonus being that she’s a Singaporean woman who’s now enjoying a second career as a model. Diminutive in height—she’s barely 160cm—but large in stature, Ong Bee Yan sits for our cover in a high-necked Saint Laurent tunic with a giant flower on her lapel. With eyes shaded in classic sunglasses and hair swept back in a neat quiff-like coiffure, she embodies what any woman of confidence, style and charisma should. She transcends age. Which is why I decided to call this month’s edition “The Youth Issue”—because it’s really about an attitude. It’s that willingness to take on sartorial challenges, to go against the grain and to improvise that makes fashion and all its myriad of choices so exciting. And the best thing about our edit—from our Style pages upfront to the Why Don’t You page at the very end—is that we always curate the most interesting, the most fabulous and the most desirable offerings for you.
During last year’s circuit breaker, I asked many designer brands what they anticipated for this spring/ summer 2021 season in terms of buys, especially since fashion brands work months ahead and lay the map on what the shopping on Orchard Road will look like. They plan significantly for their retail shops and where available, their e-commerce websites too. The overwhelming response from them is that there will be a focus on bags, shoes and chic extras. Which brings me to the extensive Accessories guide we’ve put together for you on page 59. We’ve curated the best from the season’s standout bags as well as great shoes and gorgeous add-ons to create looks that will work perfectly in Singapore. We’ve profiled four women and asked them about their keep-forever accessories and why they mean so much to them. There’s also a lovely focus on versatile blue-face watches on page 90 that not only serve to tell the time, but also tip the style scales in your favour.
Next up, read about our launch of Singapore’s very first extended reality fashion runway show. We worked for over three months on this project with Lamborghini, roping in Singapore couturier Lai Chan to create some of the most sensuous outfits. We mixed high fashion with fast cars in a fantastical East-meets-West show that melded the best from the past with visions for the future. Flying pagoda rooftops made way to neon tunnels of light and gravity-defying platforms. Turn to page 54 to see the results of this great collaboration. Or better still, pop over to our website and Instagram page to watch the full extended reality experience.
And finally, for some home inspo, turn to page 117 and gawk at personal stylist Fumi Lee’s extensive multi-tiered house on Caldecott Hill. This expansive bungalow boasts its own swimming pool and has a top floor dedicated to Lee’s impressive wardrobe. Chanel couture as well as modern art pieces share floor space in this idyllic enclave in one of Singapore’s ritziest districts.
I hope you enjoy this issue that celebrates women from all walks of life. Remember: Age is but a number. So be like Ken—I stopped counting when I hit 40.