By Keng Yang Shuen,
What do some of the year's coolest, most exciting and inspiring creative newsmakers and friends from the FEMALE community have to say to those who have helped make their 2022 great? They tell us.
All interviews have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Industry insiders know her best for her cinematic, colour-soaked photography, but 2022 marks the year she’s earned another artistic accolade: emerging painter. The 32-year-old has been practising for years, but started delving into the discipline seriously this year, and her abstract expressionist canvases dance with colour and life. It might have to do with all the kinship and inspiration she gets from the wildly diverse, closely collaborative tribe of creatives she affectionately calls her “janky-ass family” (she even shares an apartment with five of them). Now, a drumroll for this cool and close-knitted bohemian group of friends.
Her love note: "We’re all misfits in our own way, but despite the complexities of life and the endless possibilities in the universe, we found each other. Maybe it’s magic. Or proximity. Or the sheer will to believe that there are people who understand your rhythm of life. So, if you’re out there searching for them: Don’t give up; be brave and – most importantly – dare to say hello… These are people with whom I want to experience life. Even if this doesn’t last forever, the moments we share will inform how I live for the rest of my life. I love you all and your madness."
Back row, from far left: Caine; filmmaker and producer Nathan Ng; botanical artist Bryan Kang who runs the landscape design studio Pudica; crochet artist Wendy Limery; Crystal Lee, artist and founder of natural dyes label Project Coal; and John Tee, PR and marketing lead at music and art collective Strange Weather. On the couch, from far left: Skater and photographer Mun Ho; Qowomo, artist member of the tattoo collective Crevice; and Sharon Shum, head of operations at Strange Weather . On the floor, from left: Actor, musician and producer Ashley Eri (with Cleo, the dog); designer and Strange Weather art director Gen Yip; Hafiz Aalely, who co-founded Strange Weather; director and filmmaker Rin Tachihara (with Goblin, the cat); and UX designer Jon Z
Photography Athirah Annissa Art Direction Jonathan Chia Hair Tan Eng Chong/Kizuki+Lim Makeup Beno Lim, using Norvina Cosmetics
MODEL, SONGBIRD, SUPER INFLUENCER & SUPER SWEETHEART IMAN FANDI (SECOND FROM LEFT)
With the lifting of Covid safety measures came the highlight of this pop star’s budding music career: her first live performance. The experience has fuelled her drive to do more of them (as well as launch more singles) next year. It shouldn’t be hard, especially with the steady support of her equally go-getting family. Her 20-year-old brother Ilhan (second from right), for example, swept the Singapore Premier League’s Young Player and Goal of the Year awards this year and is slated to play professional football overseas in 2023. Meanwhile, the baby of the family – the 16-year-old Iryan (far left) – is considering early enlistment into the army. Both were the only ones in the household who could make it for our shoot – that is, until patriarch Fandi Ahmad turned up as a surprise. The soccer legend has also had a milestone year, turning 60 years old with the release of his biography Fandi: Honour & Sacrifice.
Her love note: "My family has always taught me to be myself and to enjoy the little moments we have with people because everybody that we meet will always give you an experience that you’ll never have with somebody else… So thank you to my family, friends and community for all the love and support throughout 2022. I cherish every moment that I’ve had with each and one of you, and I cannot wait for the new year to bring on even more memories."
(From left) Iryan wears wool track pants, Dolce & Gabbana; and Juste un Clou pink gold bracelet, and Santos-Dumont pink gold and steel watch on alligator strap, Cartier. Iman wears denim jacket, matching shorts, satin briefs, leather belt and matching loafers, Miu Miu; and Clash de Cartier pink gold large earrings and Juste un Clou pink gold necklace, Cartier. Ilhan wears wool track pants and Toy rubber sneakers, Dolce & Gabbana; and Love white gold bracelet, and Santos de Cartier large steel watch on rubber strap, Cartier. All other clothes and accessories, subjects’ own
Photography Athirah Annissa Styling Damian Huang Styling Assistant Danessa Tong Hair Tajima/Kizuki+Lim Makeup Sarah Tan
A year ago, this 30-year-old was diagnosed with cancer, which brought her back to Singapore from Bali – where she had been living since 2015 and had set up her low-waste, sustainability-minded practice Studio Jayem. It also led to an accidental career in modelling (she was one of our cover girls last December) and the launch of her artful botanical design studio Jungle In Here, which started as a creative outlet when she was undergoing therapy. Now, her cancer is in remission, and she – along with Jungle In Here – is based mostly back in the Indonesian island, where she lives with her photographer partner Joey Griffiths (left) and her pets (from left) Toto, Calypso and Otis.
Her love note: "In such an emotionally conscious age, we all know that we must love ourselves before we can properly love someone else. Joey taught me that love – whether with another person or self love – is a lot about confronting obstacles and traumas that have not truly been overcome. A lot of life is about unlearning childhood traumas and generational mistakes – much of which cannot be done without adequate communication. Now, Joey is a big communicator and a big part of our relationship is honest and transparent communication."
NICOLE LIEW (IN FOREGROUND) – ONE OF SINGAPORE’S TOP MODELS AND CERTAINLY ONE OF OUR FAVOURITES
It’s hard to keep track of the number of times this exceedingly professional 25-year-old has graced our pages – and there would have been more if not for how increasingly in-demand she is. This year alone (her sixth on the scene), she’s checked off walking for Palm Angels – one of her favourite labels – as well as scored a high-profile campaign for Dolce & Gabbana’s collaboration with Persol eyewear. Next up, her sights are set on making a more distinct mark in Europe and the US. Being photographed here with her for the first time in a magazine is her younger sister Phoebe, who is a final-year fashion media student at Lasalle College of the Arts; possesses the same natural chic; and whom Nicole describes as her yin to her yang.
Her love note: "To Phoebe: You’re the shoulder I can lean on when I need someone, and you’ve played a big part in being the light of my life… Despite the fights that we have, you’ve taught me that love can be pretty selfless. After all, we both know that we’ve always got each other’s back."
Nicole wears wool blazer, & Other Stories; and HardWear yellow gold necklace, Tiffany & Co. Phoebe wears wool sweater, & Other Stories. All other clothes and accessories, subjects’ own
Photography Athirah Annissa Styling Damian Huang Styling Assistant Danessa Tong Hair Tajima/Kizuki+Lim Makeup Sarah Tan
AMIN ALIFIN (FOREGROUND, FIRST FROM LEFT) – DANCER, CHOREOGRAPHER AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE VOGUE IN PROGRESS COLLECTIVE
If you don’t know of Vogue In Progress – or VIP, for short – it’s high time you do. Besides Amin, the group consists of Rachel Lee (foreground, second from left), one half of the popular dance duo ScRach MarcS; party impresario Bobby Luo (back row, third from right); Vanda Miss Joaquim – the impeccable drag queen persona of Azizul Mahathir (back row, third from left); and the livewire writer/comedian Jess V, who was unable to make it for this shoot. Together, they’ve been introducing ballroom culture to the local dance and nightlife communities and beyond. Clock the two balls they’ve organised this year following the lifting of Covid safety measures – highly exuberant, inclusive and anticipated affairs considering that the only other one they held was their first in 2019. In that process, their own circle has grown – as seen from the posse of friends and members of the drag scene they’ve gathered for this shoot. PS. Their next event is set for early 2023.
His love note: "This tiny yet growing community may be young, but every single member has a unique story to tell. May our stories inspire many more generations to dream big and be unapologetically the best version of themselves, all while remaining humble and loving. Cheers to creating more magic on the runway alongside future legends and icons!"
Photography Phyllicia Wang Art Direction Jonathan Chia Hair Tan Eng Chong/Kizuki+Lim Makeup Beno Lim, using Norvina Cosmetics
One of the industry’s most striking fashion models, this 25-year-old is also one of its most humorous and down-to-earth. What’s lesser known is that she’s also a dab hand in the kitchen. Earlier this year, she joined the kitchen crew of the Mexican-influenced Lavi Burger (her speciality is shrimp tacos, she says), and also works the bar at the hip alfresco restaurant Kult Yard. Another major – and literal – shift in 2022? Moving out of her family home, where she had grown up under the care of her grandmother Sylvia Koh (left) – a genial retiree who helps out with the weekly flower arrangements at church and shares the same vivacious personality as Woon.
Her love note: "My grandmother taught me that love is about balance: It is important to love with empathy and grace, but make sure that you know your worth and spend your energy on the people who truly deserve it. Thank you, Ah Mah! Of all the flowers in your garden, I hope I’m your favourite one. I’m so grateful for all the time you’ve taken to nurture me and show me the way in life.”
Noelle wears cotton coat, matching pants, and leather sneakers, Kenzo; and HardWear sterling silver bracelet with freshwater pearls, Tiffany & Co. Sylvia wears wool cardigan, Tory Burch; HardWear sterling silver necklace with freshwater pearl pendant, Tiffany & Co; and leather loafers, Miu Miu. All other clothes and accessories, subjects’ own
Photography Athirah Annissa Styling Damian Huang Styling Assistant Danessa Tong Hair Tajima/Kizuki+Lim Makeup Sarah Tan
Let us count the hits this 20-year-old has had in 2022. First, she clinched the Best New Act From Asia title at the Bandlab NME awards in January, flying over to London to walk the red carpet and attend the ceremony in March. The same month, she received a Rising Star trophy from KKBox, Taiwan’s biggest music streaming service. Five months later, she launched Hear Me Up, an initiative that aims to support and provide a platform to undiscovered musicians. Then, in October, she held – and sold out – her first headlining concert before dropping her second EP idk, it’s complicated to as much fanfare. Weeks later, she jetted off to Taiwan to perform at the Asia Rolling Music Festival. Alongside this were invites to numerous local fashion events, where she showed off her increasingly sophisticated style. And through all this and more has been one constant: her gracious and whip-smart mother, Alice Brown (on right), who helps out behind the scenes and plays the role of friend, confidant, advisor and rock.
Her love note: "My mummy and I have always been close, but I think we have grown closer not only because she helps out a lot with my career, but also because we really enjoy each other’s company. She is the one person who will always put me first and look out for me and, through that, has taught me about the value of putting others first. She’s taught me that love means being willing to go the extra mile for the good of others.”
KAREN TAN (ON SOFA, SIXTH FROM LEFT), CO-FOUNDER OF THE BELOVED INDIE CINEMA, THE PROJECTOR
The Projector has had an indubitable hand in changing Singapore’s film and larger creative landscape, growing from a humble pay-as-you-wish independent cinema to becoming the go-to joint for various communities, parties, festivals, you name it. The past 12 months have marked a banner year, capped by the recent opening of its second pop-up at The Cathay. The choice of venue for this shoot, however, was Projector X at Riverside Point – what kickstarted the company’s pandemic-birthed series of temporary spaces set in unexpected locations (it was formerly an abandoned Chinese disco). Safe to say, many will miss it when its 18-month-long run wraps in January 2023. Here’s a standing ovation for the team that’s kept the silver screen lit.
Her love note: "The Projector opened in a disused ’70s cinema on the back of a crowdfunding campaign, supported by a strong and passionate creative community that continues to grow with us. We’ve since built a culture of resilience, creating opportunities with very limited resources. And through this, we’ve carved out a space for diversity and inclusivity where people can be themselves, and where multiple creative disciplines and communities can find a home… Your messages of support through the Covid crisis were priceless in keeping us going. Let’s continue to stake out spaces for creativity in our urban fabric. There is so much good, thoughtful, artistic, eye-opening and entertaining content we hope to make more accessible for more Singaporeans."
Standing, from left: Head projectionist Azman Salim, assistant bar manager Jason Garcia, F&B crew member Mohammed Haniff and supervisor Hasbul Hadi. Perched on barrier, from left: Programming executive Jacob Chio and F&B supervisor Brendan Poh. (On sofa, from left) Creative director Ash Lim; programmes manager Adeleena Araib; F&B crew members Malisa Afiqah and Muhammad Akesh; general manager Prashant Somosundram; co-founder Karen Tan; group F&B manager Tommy Rahmat; events manager Darien Chuan; accounts manager Li Yoong; festivals and programming manager Walter Navarro; group head chef Girda Bandi, and Picturehouse venue manager Bernard Yap. Seated on floor: Creative lead Mirza Jaafar
Photography Athirah Annissa Art Direction Jonathan Chia Hair Tan Eng Chong/Kizuki+Lim Makeup Beno Lim, using Norvina Cosmetics
SHARON SHUM (SECOND FROM LEFT), OPERATIONS LEAD AT THE NEW MUSIC AND ART COLLECTIVE STRANGEWEATHER
Yes, this 32-year-old and three others here are also in the opening portrait of artist Marisse Caine and family 12 pages back. Everyone in this spread makes Strange Weather, an outfit launched at the start of 2022 that has quickly made a name for its events that merge experimental techno sounds with experiential artworks. Shum – who’s also the operations lead at Web3 music, art and culture platform Refraction – oversees ops and write-ups. Meanwhile, her three fellow “photo bombers” Hafiz Aalely (on far left), John Tee (third from right) and Gen Yip (on far right) take care of music curation, logistics and the design of promotional materials, respectively. Their lively parties boast a feel-good grassroots spirit and an ever-changing line-up of emerging names and collaborators, which explains their ties to Caine and co. Completing the group are Tulika Ahuja (third from left), who’s behind the visual arts programming, and Amanda Rizkita (second from right), who handles marketing. They only appear once in this feature, but with Strange Weather’s love for creative cross-pollinations, don’t be surprised that you’ll see them everywhere.
Her love note: “To the strangest who are not strangers: What fun it is to love you as you truly are – super, natural, sometimes disastrous. Dancing through all storms, not just fair weather, we know there’s more magic, music and power to the ones who know what it means to work and play together! There is a lot of earth-shaking and ground-breaking in our future. Are you ready to ride the winds of change to the end of the rainbow?”
Photography Phyllicia Wang Art Direction Jonathan Chia Hair Delcine Chan/Kizuki+Lim Makeup Sarah Tan
This article is adapted from a story that first appeared in the Dec 2022 Love Edition of FEMALE