Beauty in Bloom
Florist Joy Chang’s elegant fashion aesthetic is a masterclass in timeless chic.
Call me boring, but I love black. You’ll never go wrong in this understated but versatile and flattering colour,” explains former flight stewardessturned-florist Joy Chang, who has been running her family’s business, Veronica’s Florist, since 2017.
Preferences aside, black is also a necessary staple in her wardrobe. Joy shares that her job is rather laborious and therefore, she prioritises comfort when it comes to her everyday ensemble.
It’s been five years since she became a florist, but Joy never once dreamt that this would be her calling, as flying with Singapore Airlines had always been her dream. In fact, prior to her career switch, she flew with our national carrier for a decade.
“Life never turns out exactly as it is planned,” she reveals candidly, and that’s why she took a leap of faith with the career switch as she believed it would be a more fulfilling role in the long run.
Joy is “forever grateful” to her aunt, who started Veronica’s Florist in 1993, for pushing her into this career switch. “It had always been my aunt’s plan for me to eventually inherit Veronica’s Florist,” Joy says. Her aunt was also the one who encouraged Joy to train at renowned floral schools such as McQueens and London Flower School in the UK, and Catherine Muller in Paris.
When it comes to her fashion choices, Joy keeps to a monotone palette as she draws inspiration from Coco Chanel, who is known for her effortless style, usually comprising a black midi dress
The best thing about fashion today is that it allows us to bring out different facets of our personality.
with sandals or slingback shoes.
“The mix of pearls, tweed, and combinations of black and beige is a classic Chanel aesthetic – and it just so happens to be my everyday style,” says the 34-year-old, who also cites Celine and Hermes as her favourite brands.
Here, Joy gives us the low-down on her particular brand of je ne sais quoi, and how “everything is better in black”.
My personal style is… “Timeless and minimalist.”
I make the best out of an outfit by… “Making sure that my skin, brows, lashes, and nails are all well taken care of. Once these are in place, they can help to accentuate any outfit, and it could be as easy as slipping on a dress and a pair of matching shoes.”
The best thing about fashion today is…
“It allows us to bring out different facets of our personality.”
I usually shop at… “& Other Stories, a subsidiary of Swedish high street label H&M, and sustainable fashion brand Reformation. They’re my goto brands for any occasion. Reformation has square-neck dresses that really flatter the neckline.”
Biggest splurge and what’s next on my list…
“An Hermes Kelly 25. Next on my list is the Hermes mini Kelly.”
My most cherished fashion item and the story behind it… “My very first pair of luxury shoes: a pair of black Chanel lambskin pumps, which I bought with my first pay cheque 11 years ago. It took me to places in comfort and with confidence.”
If I wanted to have some fun with my wardrobe, I would love to wear…
“A bold red dress!”
If someone says to me that “loving fashion is so frivolous”, I would reply… “We can agree to disagree.”