Meet The 44 Cool Youths We Photographed On The Streets Of Singapore
Over a period of three weeks, we prowled the streets and documented these stylish individuals aged between 15 and 24.
By Noelle Loh,
You see it everywhere – from our main fashion belt of Orchard Road to bohemian Haji Lane to the retro and residential neighbourhood of Queenstown: young people dressed up in a way that hints that they’ve not just put thought and creativity into what they’re wearing, but also that they thoroughly enjoy doing so.
A new, evolved band of goth, punk and emo rock kids. Boys and girls clashing colours, patterns, silhouettes and eras that can only be described as delightfully chaotic. Even a stripped back attire of tee and cargos thrown on for an errand run comes with a flourish of bandanas artfully tied through a belt loop or a statement vintage necklace (or three).
Perhaps the sartorial dopamine that came with the emergence from the pandemic has had a deep rooted effect on Gen Z. After all, the fashion industry’s great lockdown-induced reckoning that rewrote plenty of its rules (the bottom-up influence of TikTok, or the thrifting and resale revolution, for example) happened alongside this generation’s coming-of-age; a key period in their journey of self-discovery.
Little wonder that in Japan, the pioneering, ’90s-born street style magazine Fruits has recently been reported to be planning a comeback after its founder Shoichi Aoki ceased it five years ago, declaring that there were “no more fashionable kids to photograph”. Today, our streets are teeming with them and documenting these individuals not only heralds a fresh wave of street style, but also – more importantly – immortalises the zeitgeist and offers a closer look at the generation that’s showing everybody what it really means to identify with fashion.
Name: Rae On
Age: 22
Occupation: Aspiring game artist
Her fit: “I’m wearing a headpiece from Cfierce (the anime-meets-punk-inspired label started by the Chinese fashion designer/model Xue Chen); my jacket and top are thrifted; my skirt and some of the jewellery I’m wearing are from Japan; my earrings are from a shop on Haji Lane; and my shoes are from Newrock (a Spanish label specialising in gothic and punk-style footwear).”
Her star sign: “Libra. The most Libra thing about me is that it’s hard for me to make decisions. It’s also hard for me to get along well with most Leos as they tend to be strong about their opinions, but I do have a best friend who’s a Leo and she in fact helps me to stay grounded.”
Number of piercings: “Six – my favourite one is my industrial piercing.”
Favourite travel destination: “I just came back from Japan and it was really fun. There are a lot of cool thrift stores as well as shops selling anime merchandise, which I enjoy.”
A trend that she dislikes: “High-end streetwear – I don’t think you need to spend that much money to feel cool or look good.”
Name: Najja Chaliza
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Her fit: “My sunnies are from Gentle Monster. My shirt is from (the Los Angeles streetwear label) Online Ceramics and my shoes are from (the Japanese “winter sandals” brand) Subu – both bought from Ssense. The Goyard bag and this other tote are my mum’s – I don’t know where she got the latter from, but she uses it from groceries. My skirt is thrifted while my necklace is from a vintage store here called Styledcxo and the hair tie on my wrist is from (the luxury hair accessories brand) Slip.”
Favourite fashion brand: “Right now, I think it’s Post Archive Faction from South Korea (this conceptual, industrial-inflected streetwear label was shortlisted for the 2021 LVMH Prize)... I like its subversiveness and how its clothes are functional yet very playful at the same time – organised chaos in a way.”
An item on her fashion wishlist: “The Toga Pulla ballerina shoes that have straps that cross over one another in an ‘X’ shape – they’re really cute and I first wanted them some time ago, but thought, ‘never mind’. Now, however, I kind of want them again.”
A trend that she dislikes: “The fairycore aesthetic.”
Name: Claudia Chong
Age: 23
Occupation: Student
Her fit: “I got my top online while the neck boa that I’m wearing is actually a scrap from a T-shirt that a tailor had given to me and that I had altered. My skirt is from Cotton On; my slides are from Hermes; and my bag is Dior – a Saddle that was an Asia-exclusive release. My sunglasses are from Owndays; my ring and bracelet are from a little flea market in Melbourne and my earrings are from Taobao.”
Favourite fashion brand: “I do like Dior, but it’s really pricey for me.”
Most expensive fashion item she owns: “Maybe this Dior Saddle? I bought it for around $6K quite a while ago.”
Does she think she’s stylish? “I try my best to be? I think what makes a person stylish is confidence. With confidence, you can wear anything and you’ll be stylish.”
Name: “I prefer to be referred to as Shar.”
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
Her fit: “Everything is mostly thrifted – the pants, for example, are from a thrift store in Lucky Plaza and cost $5. The shirt is a hand-me-down from my grandfather and the only expensive thing in my whole outfit are my Jordans. The ring and necklaces are from Shopee; the sunglasses are from Zara and the bag is Coach.”
Her star sign: “I’m a Gemini and I think there is too much Gemini slander! I think it’s unfair to call all Geminis two-faced. We’re not – we just know how to act for the situation.”
Number of piercings: “I have four and my favourite has to be my lip piercing. I’m planning on getting more.”
Favourite musician: “Machine Gun Kelly – I’m really into pop-punk.”
Her dream job: “Software engineer or a computer scientist – I’m currently majoring in computer science in school.”
Name: Jaybo Yoon – “I’m visiting from South Korea.”
Age: 24
Occupation: Student
His fit: “My cap is from a South Korean brand called Gram Ounce Pound and my sunglasses are from Gentle Monster. My tee is from The Coldest Moment (a “youth culture brand” also from Korea) – I just spilt some wine on it, which is why it’s a bit dirty. The bag is from Addoff (another Korean streetwear brand); my pants are vintage Tommy Hilfiger Jeans that I got from a vintage store; and my shoes are Vans’ Half Cab. I’m dressing comfortably because I’m travelling.”
Favourite travel destination: “Singapore. It’s really cool here. I’m also planning on going to Australia in September because I’ve always been curious about it.”
Favourite musician: “A$AP Rocky. I love his attitude and his music is a good influence on me.”
Something interesting about him: “I’m a student and rapper from South Korea and my music is going to come out soon!”
His current obsession: “My music because I have to work hard to make it.”
Name: Latisha Sonia
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
Her fit: “I got my earrings from a shop near my house of which name I can’t remember. My bangle is a hand-me-down from my mum and my bag is from Mango. This backless top and skirt are from (the Hong Kong-based fast fashion company) Cider and my shoes are from Nike.”
Favourite fashion brand: “I really like Zara, but it is pretty pricey for a student.”
An item on her fashion wishlist: “I'm very into crocheted stuff so, like, a crocheted sling bag or top.”
Name: Nur Alfian Sharom Shah
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
His fit: “My rings and one of my necklaces is from Shopee while the other necklace is custom-made from an Instagram shop. My pants and Harley Davidson tee are from @re.drmg, (an Instagram store with a physical space on Haji Lane) which is known for its curation of vintage fashion. My shoes are Dr. Martens and my bag is an iconic design that I’ve always wanted and finally managed to get from an auction on Yahoo! Japan.”
His star sign: “I’m a Scorpio. I know people say that we can be a bit intimidating and if you see me walking down the street, it might seem that way, but once you get to know me, I’m actually very chill.”
Something interesting about him: “I like to draw… My dream portrait subject would be Jungkook from BTS.”
Name: Ethan Maniam
Age: 22
Occupation: Medical student
His fit: “The outer shirt is by (the Malaysian label) We Enjoy Simplicity – I got it off Carousell – while the white top inside is a Uniqlo Airism tank top that I cut up for a more flattering silhouette. My pants are from Loncho (an apparel store on Haji Lane) and my shoes are platform Dr. Martens scored off Carousell – I love them. The moonstone necklace is one of my favourite accessories and was handmade by this uncle whose stall is on Beach Road. My bracelet and some of my rings are from a Spanish jewellery brand called UNOde50 while the other rings are from a flea market in Paris. My earrings are from a tattoo shop; my keychain is from (the homegrown accessories brand) Stilnook – founder Fiona Ng is a super awesome girl; and my watch is just a Garmin for running.”
Favourite fashion brand: “I really like the stuff from (the Singapore label) Graye – I’m very drawn to its modern take on Asian influences. And I love that it’s local.”
An item on his fashion wishlist: “Probably a pair of really nice boots from Ann Demeulmesteer.”
Something interesting about him: “I can hold my breath for over five minutes.”
Name: Farizzaidy Faris
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
His fit: “My top and shorts are from (the cyberpunk-influenced local label) Lasik Industries. My socks are from a random store at Suntec City and my shoes are Dr. Martens. My rings are sourced from different places: Korea, Lucky Plaza and a retro market in Katong. Lastly, my bag is from another local brand called Dead Inside.”
Favourite fashion brands: “I really like Lasik Industries, this Vietnamese brand called The Idiot and the Malaysian label Anaabu because most of their designs are alternative yet minimalist – a mixture of comfort and style.”
A trend that he dislikes: “Skinny jeans.”
Current obsession: “Mitski, Lorde, and Lana Del Rey – all three of them are known for their sad bedroom pop aesthetic, which I really love.”
Something interesting about him: “A lot of my artwork and assignments (he majors in art teaching at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts) deal with the themes of representation, loss, death and faith.”
His dream: “To exhibit my works at the likes of the National Gallery Singapore or Singapore Art Museum – or even beyond Singapore.”
Name: Norvins Tong
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
His fit: “Muji top, Hyein Seo pants, Cos bag and Dr. Martens boots.”
A trend that he dislikes: “Skinny jeans only because they just don't suit my body. No hate to those who can rock the look.”
Favourite music genre: “K-Indie – one of my favourite acts from the scene is Wave To Earth.”
His recommended hang: “Spades Room (the cult, Gen Z-owned multi-label retailer located on MacTaggart Road) or Plop Apparels (another popular Gen Z-owned business specialising in pre-loved and reworked fashion located on Haji Lane).”
Name: Harvinder Singh
Age: 21
Occupation: National serviceman and model represented by the agency Mannequin
His fit: “I got this shirt, which is actually merch by the British motorbike brand Norton Motorcycles, in Hanoi. The pants are by Abercrombie & Fitch and bought from a thrift shop called Honsieponsie (at Queensway Shopping Centre). The Vivienne Westwood necklace and Diesel belt are Carousell finds; the sneakers are New Balance; and I stole this Ader Error bag from my best friend. My bracelets are courtesy of my religion and my specs are from Owndays.”
Most expensive fashion item he owns: “Probably my mocha-coloured Jordans, which I got for about $600. Maybe I got ripped off – I don’t know – but I do regret buying them because they’ve just been lying around and looking pretty in my room. Guess that makes it a good regret.”
Most precious fashion item: “This Ambush T-shirt that I splurged on during my first year of polytechnic after getting an increase in my allowance. I’ve gotten a lot of wear out of it and I’ll never get rid of it because it holds a lot of special memories.”
Favourite place to thrift: “The first would be JB (Johor Bahru) and the second would be Hanoi. If you know where to look, you’ll be able to find good thrifts such as this shirt that I’m wearing for prices as low as $2 or $3.”
Name: Reynard Lee
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
His fit: “My jacket, tie and all the accessories are from Taobao; the shirt is from JW Anderson; the pants are from a thrift store in the Philippines; and my shoes are Dr. Martens.”
Most precious fashion item: “Probably a lot of my outerwear. Most of them are from thrift stores in Korea.”
A trend that he dislikes: “The oversized tee and skinny jeans combination.”
Favourite musician: “(The American post-hardcore band) Pierce The Veil because I really relate to its songs.”
Dream job: “To have my own clothing brand and business.”
Name: Benjamin SK
Age: 20
Occupation: National serviceman
His fit: “This leather jacket and my jeans are from the (’90s-centric vintage clothing store) Stakeout. I’ve no idea where the shirt is from because I took it from my brother’s wardrobe – I love it and find it very cute because of the cactus print that’s on it. My belt is from Asos while most of the other accessories are from Korea: The shoes were bought at ABC Mart and the bag was from the Snoopy Garden theme park. Oh, my cap was also stolen from my brother. I took it because it says ‘Texas’.”
His star sign: “I’m overwhelmingly Virgo – everything from my sun to moon to venus signs are all Virgo so I’m very Virgo. I’m a control freak and very particular. I guess a nicer way of putting it is that I’m organised.”
A trend that he’s into: “Jorts. I really, really love jorts and I wish I had worn them today. I bought a pair as soon as I saw people start wearing them this year and I think I’m going to buy two more.”
Name: Harry Raz
Age: 20
Occupation: Soon-to-be performance diploma student at Lasalle College of the Arts
His fit: “I’m so sorry, but nearly everything was bought off Shopee.”
Favourite fashion brand: “For now, I would say it’s @re.drmg. I love its selection of vintage and I own quite a lot of stuff from it.”
Most precious fashion item: “My Cartier Love bracelet – I had saved up and used my own money to get that thing.”
The bag he wants most: “A Louis Vuitton tote – I’m going to school soon and I imagine carrying that around on campus to be so boujee!”
A trend that he dislikes: “Skinny jeans. Maybe it depends on who’s wearing it, but for me, guys in skinny jeans are so basic. I’m so sorry.”
Does he think he’s stylish? “Maybe not right now? I’d consider this look basic in comparison to when I’m all dressed up.”
Name: Zaydy Zhang
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Her fit: “My top and skirt were thrifted; my necklace was a gift from a friend; my bag is from Louis Vuitton; and my shoes are from Vans.”
A trend she dislikes: “Crocs – they are just not for me.”
A trend she likes: “Thrifting because it's sustainable and budget-friendly, and the items you find are usually unique and can better reflect your personal style.”
Her favourite perfume: “Dior J'adore – I love its sweet, floral scent.”
The celebrity she would most want to meet: “Bella Hadid.”
Dream job: “Entrepreneur or a fashion designer.”
Something interesting about her: “I'm a shopaholic.”
Name: Adam Shafiq
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
His fit: “Today I’m going for a formal look. My jacket is thrifted and so is my Burberry shirt. My pants are from (the American workwear brand) Ben Davis and my Dr. Martens are from my brother. My watch was gifted to me by my girlfriend. It’s a Seiko so I really like it.”
His recommended hang: “Right here in the Arab street or Bugis area. I feel that the place is getting more popular with teenagers with similar styles as me.”
Current obsession: “There’s a reason why I am dressed this way. I’m currently obsessed with pairing button-ups with baggy pants – a balance between formal and streetwear – after seeing a few people in such a look. I spent two hours at home finding the right pieces to be able to put this look together.”
Favourite musician: “Bob Marley. My father has his albums so I grew up listening to his music in the car and singing along to it with my father. I like his music and vibe as an artist. I just love him.”
Something interesting about him: “I chose to major in broadcast media at school because I really love creating videos and actively do so for my TikTok account (@advmshfq). The content is not really fashion, but comedy and dancing videos. I really like making people laugh.”
Name: Raveena Calivoso Naidu
Age: 23
Occupation: Music producer
Her fit: “I thrifted my denim jacket around four years ago and cut out the sleeves as well as drew on its back. My pants are from Shein – I’m not a fan of fast fashion, but I thought I’d make a concession this time. My hat was bought in Australia; my boots are from Dr. Martens; my belt is from Lucky Plaza; the bracelets are from a shop in Tampines; and my gloves were a gift from a friend.”
Her star sign: “I’m a Scorpio and have a tattoo of its symbol on my arm. I guess I do live up to its traits as I can be jealous and possessive sometimes. I can look scary too, I guess.”
Number of tattoos: “I have a lot and, to be honest, I want to laser the one on my face off, but I’m not quite sure just yet.”
A trend that she’s into: “The return of vintage and thrift stores. Before, people would associate thrifting with being broke, but now, someone’s outfit could cost less than $30 in total and he or she could still be considered the most fashionable person out there. It just shows that money cannot buy style. Style comes naturally.”
Name: Goh Yun Yi
Age: 17
Occupation: Communication design student
Her fit: “I thrifted this lingerie dress from Lucky Plaza; my jeans were thrifted in Kuala Lumpur; and my military satchel is from (the local thrift store) Honsieponsie. I got my outerwear in South Korea and my bracelets in Hanoi while the rings were bought on Carousell. The necklace is from (the local Instagram-based accessories brand) Yea I Made It and my Onitsuka sneakers were bought off Taobao.”
Favourite place to thrift: “In Singapore, I really love going to level six of Lucky Plaza and Queensway Shopping Centre (both of which have become thrift havens recently).”
Current obsession: “The Divine Feminine album by the late Mac Miller, whom I love and unfortunately only discovered after he had passed away. My favourite song of his is My Favourite Part, which features Ariana Grande, and my second favourite is Self Care.”
Dream job: “I really like graphic design and branding, and would love to work in a design studio in Korea or Europe.”
Name: “Call me Shad”
Age: 20
Occupation: National serviceman
His fit: “My beanie and shades are my brother’s – shout out to him. The headphones are from Sony while the necklace is from a Singapore-based Instagram shop called Stuff For Your Neck – shout out to its founder because I love it. I got this Harley Davidson top from Stakeout – shout out to it too. My rings are from different places – the ones with the star and the white stone are from (the local accessories brand) Mane Shot while the one with the black stone is my dad’s. The bracelet is from (another local accessories label) Visual Jargon while my different chains are from Peninsula Plaza, Stakeout, Youths In Balaclava and Stilnook. My pants are from Honsieponsie; the bandanas are from random places; my watch is a normal Casio and my boots were bought on Carousell.”
Favourite shop: “(The Veerasamy Road vintage haunt) Stakeout – I love the people there; I love the energy; I love the vibe.”
Vintage or new? “I would say 50-50.”
His recommended hang: “Haji Lane – specifically a cafe called Strait Jacket. The people there are awesome and the coffee is good.” (Located at 48 Haji Lane, this second-floor joint opened recently and features graffiti art on its walls as well as part of its retail line-up.)
Current obsession: “I love watching the clouds during sunset and sunrise.”
Name: Miguel Reyes
Age: 20
Occupation: Student and retail staff at the Haji Lane boutique Local Thrift SG
His fit: “I bought my sunglasses from Aliexpress – not going to gatekeep this fact. My T-shirt was designed by my friend whose brand is called Honeymoon Stage and it says ‘Drive me crazy’ on the back. My socks are also from the label. My Alien Workshop jorts are from my girlfriend, who had bought them in Bangkok. My necklace is from Stuff For Your Neck – the fashion here is amazing and I love to support local. The bracelets are from the Philippines with some of them given to me by my grandma and my girlfriend, and my shoes are New Balance.”
His star sign: “I’m a Gemini. A lot of people roll their eyes when I share this, but there’s a certain truth to Geminis having multiple sides and acting differently depending on who they are with. My accent, for example, is fake. I had a really thick Filipino accent when I first moved to Singapore, but have learnt to adapt.”
Current obsession: “Music – it’s been my passion for a few years now – as well as running this store. I love how it has grown so much even though we opened only this year. I think it’s important to keep on supporting local fashion players.”
Favourite musicians: “(An American rock) band called Origami Angel as well as (the indie rock act) Prince Daddy & The Hyena, which is playing a live show here in September. For anyone who’s not been to a gig in Singapore, you should at least once – the atmosphere is amazing.”
Name: Claire Lim
Age: 23
Occupation: Part-time sales associate at Dover Street Market Singapore
Her fit: “The shirt inside is from Carousell while the one layered over is from @re.drmg. I can’t remember where my pants are from, but my necklace is Vivienne Westwood and my shoes are the Maison Margiela Reebok Classic Tabis.”
Favourite fashion brand: “My answer to this is always changing because I’m still discovering myself & what I like. At the moment though, it’s Vivienne Westwood as well as Brain Dead (the Los Angeles streetwear label known for its unexpected, counter culture-influenced graphics). It’s not just about their designs. I love how their founders were or are so involved in the music scene and its subcultures too.”
A trend that she dislikes: “People folding the waistband of their pants outwards. One that I like is the tying of ribbons onto one’s hair, shoes or bags.”
Current obsession: “I’ve recently started getting into cycling because I never really learnt how to properly when I was younger… I’ve also been gravitating towards anything Miffy!”
Something interesting about her: “I love planning and hosting a themed birthday party for myself every year.”
Name: Lisa van Duren
Age: 19
Occupation: Model represented by the agency Misc Management
Her fit: “My tank top is from this amazing brand called Save The Queen (founded in Florence in 1985, it offers a modern and irreverent update on graphic-printed bohemian dressing with everything artisanally made) – I thrifted it on a trip to Venice, Italy. My skirt is from Max & Co and was also thrifted. One of my necklaces and belt were thrifted in Greece – the latter cost me one euro – and my Dr. Martens were thrifted in Thailand. My socks are from Spades Room and I made the bracelets myself.”
Favourite travel destination: “Switzerland, for sure. And my next trip is going to involve a really long and intensive hike from Portugal all the way to Spain with my brother.”
Most precious fashion item: “This shirt and another jacket that I had thrifted in Portugal.”
Does she think she’s stylish? “Yes. I think what makes a person stylish is confidence.”
Name: Nadya Sarni
Age: 18
Occupation: Student in Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Early Childhood Development & Education programme
Her fit: “There’s no inspiration behind my outfit today. I just picked out whatever I felt like wearing. The cardigan is my mum’s and the sunglasses are my brother’s. I don’t know where the shirt is from, but my pants were bought on Shopee and the shoes are Dr. Martens. This vintage Dior bag is also my mum’s while my necklace was a gift and has my name on it.”
Her star sign: “I don’t really believe in horoscopes, but I’m a Taurus and I think it’s true that we are stubborn.”
Her favourite thing to do: “Go out with my friends.”
Her recommended hang: “Probably the Haji Lane area.”
Does she think she’s stylish: “Kind of? I mean you noticed me!”
Name: Cleo Bruns
Age: 17
Occupation: Student and a model represented by the agency Basic Models
Her fit: “My jacket is from Urban Outfitters – I got it when I was visiting Amsterdam. My tank top is from Cotton On; my pants are from Bershka; my cap is from (the Queensway Shopping Centre thrift store) Hikari Space; my shoes are Dr. Martens and my glasses are from Owndays – I need them because I can’t see well.”
Most precious fashion item: “A leather jacket that I own because whenever I don’t know what to wear, I throw it on and the resulting fit always looks good.”
A trend that she dislikes: “I used to like the Y2K look, but now that so many people are wearing it, I would like to see more of other aesthetics.”
Her favourite musician: “Taylor Swift. I queued for so long to try to get tickets to her upcoming concert here, but I wasn’t successful. I think I’m going to try Carousell and I hope I don’t get scammed!”
Name: Dora Lim
Age: 22
Occupation: Tattoo artist
Her fit: “My top was a gift from a friend; my pants are from H&M; and my shoes are Converse Chuck Taylors. As for my accessories: The sunglasses are from Prada; the bag is from Bimba Y Lola, and my earrings and necklace are from a roadside stall in Phuket.”
Her favourite perfume: “Gabrielle from Chanel (a radiant floral scent anchored by notes of tuberose, ylang-ylang, sandalwood and citruses) because it reminds me of my mum and of powerful women.”
A trend that she likes: “Gorpcore. I like the aesthetic even though half the time, the people who wear it don’t hike and the apparel never sees actual terrain.”
Current obsession: “I love discovering new music and tracking down samples especially in both old and new school hip hop. I’m also picking up the bass so that I can jam alongside the music that I love.”
Something interesting about her: “For two years I hid my job as a tattoo artist from my family and told them instead that I was a graphic designer. Of course, eventually they found out.”
Name: Nurul Syafina
Age: 23
Occupation: Student
Her fit: “My top, dress and sandals are all thrifted while the bottoms are from Pull & Bear, and the bag is from (the Malaysia and Singapore-based minimalist label) Saou.”
Favourite fashion brand: “Muji. It’s a must-visit for me every time I visit a mall in which it has a branch. I love how its aesthetic is simple yet so pleasing.”
A trend that she likes: “People getting creative with layering.”
The celebrity she would most want to meet: “Sabrina Claudio. She’s so classy and talented.”
Current obsession: “Gossip Girl!”
Something interesting about her: “I love online shopping because I love receiving and opening parcels.”
Name: Emira Humaira
Age: 24
Occupation: Ride operator at Universal Studios Singapore
Her fit: “My tee is from Uniqlo while the buttoned-up shirt is from Cotton On. My skirt and tie are from the Instagram-based thrift store Last Piece Thrift while my sunglasses are from a Malaysian brand of which name I can’t remember. My earrings are thrifted from the Hammock Market (a flea that takes place at Aperia Mall every alternate Saturday); my socks are from Vans and my shoes are from Charles & Keith. My bracelet is from a regular gold shop and my ring is my engagement ring.”
Favourite fashion brand: “I don’t have one, but I love thrift shops.”
Current obsession: “Anything grunge and punk-related stuff – it explains why I’m wearing a tie.”
Something interesting about her: “A friend in Australia, who was a commercial pilot, had his own small plane and taught me how to fly it. I did not pursue a pilot licence, but I guess you can say I sort of know how to fly a plane.”
Name: Monica Lee
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Her fit: “I guess I’m a Taobao queen because all of my items are from Taobao except for my socks and bag, which are birthday gifts from a friend, and my earrings, which are from (the street fashion and accessories chain) X-craft.”
Her star sign: “I’m an Aquarius, but I’m not sure if I fit into its stereotype. Perhaps the one Aquarius trait that I have is that I’m kind of aloof.”
A fashion trend she’d like to see more of: “Mixing edgy designs with cute ones.”
Current obsession: “The Shu Uemura X Peko makeup collection (which was released in June and features Y2K-inspired candy colours) and a futuristic take on Peko – the mascot of Milky Candy maker Fujiya – on the packaging.”
Something interesting about her: “I like to do a lot of different types of art and craft. At one point, for example, I was obsessed with jewellery making. Then there’s also photography, drawing, and painting.”
Name: Emma Lee
Age: 17
Occupation: Student
Her fit: “I am wearing a grey top and army pants that I had bought on Carousell. My bracelet is from Chrome Hearts and was gifted to me by a friend. My boots are from Aliexpress and my necklace is from a thrift shop.”
Vintage or new? “Vintage because the items are more unique.”
Her star sign: “I’m a Cancer, I don’t really believe in horoscopes, but I would like to.”
Name: Woody Putt
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
His fit: “I’m wearing these Zara heeled boots, which I find absolutely lovely. My bootcut jeans and ruffled shirt were thrifted from Hong Kong, and this Ralph Lauren double-breasted blazer is vintage – this is one of my grail pieces and I wear it almost every day. My accessories include sunnies from Cotton On; chrome-like rings thrifted in Bangkok; and a belt from the vintage retail arm of the local collective Anteiku Studios. The necklace is also from Anteiku and is made of rope and crystal – I wear it everywhere I go; even to sleep and to shower. It’s my baby.”
Favourite place to shop: “Hong Kong for its thrift shops. One of them is called Midwest Vintage. It is absolutely lovely with a wide range of clothes.”
Favourite travel destination: “My birthplace, Pattaya in Thailand. It’s the most gorgeous place to go to.”
Dream destination: “1970s Paris.”
Something interesting about him: “I love books, poetry and English literature. Hamlet is one of my favourite books, but it is incredibly difficult to decipher… I guess I’m an English nerd.”
Name: Evelyn Nguyen
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Her fit: “A Shein dress, Louis Vuitton bag, regular white socks, Dr. Martens shoes and jewellery from Van Cleef & Arpels.”
A trend she’d like to see more of: “Crochet tops and sets.”
Favourite perfume: “Definitely Delina Exclusif from (the French haute perfumery brand) Parfums de Marly. The design of the bottle (a pale pink sculpted bottle with a silver cap) is super nice and the scent is so flowery and feminine.”
The celebrity she would most want to meet: “NewJeans!"
Name: Wei Qian Puah
Age: 20
Occupation: Content creator and competitive dancer
Her fit: “Nearly everything is from (emerging Chinese label) SMFK and were gifted to me by the brand. Some of my earrings (hidden behind her hair) are from various stores while some are hand-me-downs from my mum. I like them minimalist as they’re nice for stacking.”
Number of piercings: “Nine. My favourite is my navel piercing because the healing process was easy and it’s such a fashion statement. It adds some bling and without it, I feel like that part of me is very empty.”
Her star sign: Aquarius. I would say the most Aquarius trait that I have is that I can be weird – from my fashion sense to my sense of humour.”
Most precious fashion item: “The costumes that I wore to school on Racial Harmony Day as a student. If I threw them out, I don’t think I’d buy them again – this is why they’re keepers.”
Name: Cedric Cordero
Age: 20
Occupation: Retail staff at the vintage store Fibres Friction
His fit: “The top is from a friend’s brand called Honeymoon Stage; the cargo shorts are from (the Peninsula Shopping Centre preloved clothing store) Tasstore, and the pins and keychains I’ve attached to them are from Stakeout. My shoes are adidas’ Adimatic sneakers; my necklace is from Shein; and my bracelets are from (the Queensway Shopping Centre thrift store) Bhabie’s Market or my brother’s.”
Favourite fashion brand: “There is no right or wrong brand to wear. If it looks good, it looks good. If you feel good, you feel good.”
A trend he’d like to see more of: “Men wearing skirts. I’ve been wanting to get a maxi skirt for some time, but I haven’t been able to find the right one.”
Current obsession: “Cropping my T-shirts… I cropped the shirt that I’m wearing right now myself. It was super long before – it was originally a size XL and had reached my knees.”
Name: Lex Tee
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
His fit: “The headphones are JBL, and my sunglasses and necklace are from Shopee. I got my cardigan from Shein; the pants are also from there, but were a gift; and the tank top is my dad’s. I’ve also got my Dr. Martens on.”
His star sign: “I’m a Gemini and I agree with almost all of the Gemini stereotypes. I think that Geminis do have two personalities. My friends also always say that Geminis are the best to be with because they're really fun and not afraid of many things. And I think the best Gemini trait is that we are always trying different things and learning new stuff.”
Current obsession: “Evolving my own style because a few years back, I didn't really like or care for fashion at all. This changed when I was in secondary four and now, I’m obsessed with buying new pieces and trying new things.”
Something interesting about him: “I really like to dance in my free time.”
Name: “I prefer to go by Sara.”
Age: 21
Occupation: Mechanical engineering student
Her fit: “The shirt was thrifted from Malaysia while the bottoms are second-hand and previously belonged to a friend. I just bought the cuff from Peninsula Plaza; the bracelets on my other arm are from friends; and my rings are thrifted. My Hesh Evos headphones are from Skullcandy (a popular American audio equipment brand) and my leg warmers are actually sleeves that I had cut off a hoodie. The shoes are Mary Janes from Dr. Martens and my bag is a normal skate bag from Etnies, but I’ve decorated it with chains, pins and soda tabs given to me by my friends.”
Her favourite piercing: “My eyebrow piercing. I got it just a month ago so it’s still healing, but I feel so cool with it – so slay!”
Name: Alicia Hong
Age: 22
Occupation: Model and content creator
Her fit: “I’m wearing a mini dress from Delics – a brand from Malaysia that’s actually a thrift store, but recently started to come up with its own designs like this one. My skirt is from (the US- and Australia-based fast fashion label) Princess Polly and my boots are from Charles & Keith. The jewellery I’m wearing is mostly thrifted though my necklace is from Styledcxo and my earrings are from the local accessories brand Myrrh.”
A fashion trend she’d like to see more of: “The experimentation with silhouettes and materials.”
Her recommended hang: “My go-to hangout spot is Apartment Coffee (on Selegie Road) because I really like the coffee and the space is very chill.”
Does she think she’s stylish? “I don’t really think so. I just wear what I like and what I feel best in.”
Name: Rizqi Haron
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
His fit: “I am wearing a cropped top from G2000 and a belt from Diesel. The pants, outer top, and bag are all from Shopee and my shoes are Adidas Stan Smiths.”
The bag he wants most: “One from Charles & Keith.”
Name: Mido Ramzy
Age: 22
Occupation: Model represented by Now Models Management
His fit: “My T-shirt is from Zara Basics; my pants are from Plop Apparels and the style is called The Idiot; my shoes are Nike Jordans; my watch is a vintage Kansai Yamamoto; my bracelets are from Raf Simons; and my rings and necklace are thrifted or vintage.”
Favourite fashion brands: “Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga.”
Most precious fashion item: “This really gorgeous draped Jil Sander top that I got second-hand from (the Singapore-based preloved e-tailer) The Fifth Collection.”
His recommended hang: “I go to the beach a lot – I love the beach. Or just a cute little cafe on Haji Lane.”
Name: Elysha Aslam
Age: 19
Occupation: Fresh graduate
Her fit: “I’m wearing a New Era cap and H&M sunglasses. My shirt is from Uniqlo; the pants were stolen from my school’s drama room and my shoes are from Nike. My watch is from Shopee and does not even work anymore. My bracelet was a gift from a friend and my bag is from Aliexpress.”
Favourite fashion brand: “Uniqlo. Its basics always look fresh. I also like Baggu – its bags are so cool.”
The bag she wants most: “A Dumpling bag from Beyond The Vines – they’re expensive, but I love how poofy it is.”
Current obsession: “I’m really in a Beabadoobee phase right now.”
Name: Ilham Jufri
Age: 20
Occupation: Student and music producer
His fit: “A lot of what I’m wearing is from Bali – my beanie, ring and bracelet. My shirt is merchandise by Inflake (his alias as a music producer) that I designed myself. The jacket is from Zara while my corduroys – meant to match my jacket – are thrifted. My shoes are from Vans’ collab with Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas – I love Tim Burton. The bag is from Billabong and my glasses are also from Bali. As you can tell, I love Bali a lot.”
Favourite fashion brand: “(The Los Angeles-based skate and streetwear brand) HUF.”
A trend he likes: “I'm not really into fashion, but I like seeing people who are into fashion express themselves through what they wear.”
Favourite musician: “Sigur Ros – I just love the way they create soundscapes and ambient sounds with guitars. It’s really inspiring.”
Dream concert: “Camila Cabello. I have a huge celebrity crush on her and I think it would be a life-changing experience for me to see her live.”
Dream job: “I don’t know about a job, but it would be my dream goal to live in Bali, be able to wake up without any stress, and to maybe have my own farm or something.”
Name: Delilah Joseph
Age: 16
Occupation: student
Her fit: “Today I’m wearing a dress that I got from my aunt – I think she had bought it from Uniqlo and it’s a collaboration with an artist. My shoes are from Charles & Keith and also gifted by my aunt. My socks are from H&M – I believe my grandmother got them for me. My glasses are from Raybans, and my necklace and bracelet are from a friend while and the earrings are white gold and from Poh Heng – another gift from my grandma.”
Her star sign: “I’m a Virgo, but I don’t think I have Virgo traits. Recently I was asked if I’m a neat person and I’m not. I’m the total opposite.”
A trend she dislikes: “I’m not a big fan of thrifting because I don’t know where the clothes come from, but if you tell me they have been washed beforehand, I might change my mind. After all, it’s important to support sustainable fashion and clothes deserve a second life.”
A trend she likes: “There aren’t any. It’s such a coincidence that you’ve approached me for this feature because I’m wearing the most extra outfit that I own.”
Something interesting about her: “I can play multiple instruments such as the guitar, ukulele, piano, violin and guzheng.”
Name: Danish Afiq
Age: 22
Occupation: Operator at a local tourist attraction
His fit: “Starting from the top, I’m wearing a Sons newsboy hat that I got on Shopee. The top is a very old Uniqlo polo tee while these really cool Dickies shorts are hand-me-downs from my uncle. The belt is from my mum. I got my Birkenstock Bostons online and almost all of my other accessories are from other people: I stole the sunglasses from my sister and my rings and bracelets were gifts from my father. The earrings? I bought them myself.”
Name: Margi Antonio
Age: 22
Occupation: Fresh graduate
Her fit: My headband is from a flea market in Bali while this big pendant is my mum’s – I found it in her closet today and thought, ‘That’s cute!’. The cross pendant is from a flea market in Portugal while the other one is probably from Shein. My tube top is from Cotton On and was really cheap. I bought the skirt from Thailand, and my sandals and earrings are from Amazon.”
Favourite fashion brand: “ I usually shop at (the fast fashion label) Princess Polly. I’ve mostly been a student so I don’t spend a lot on clothes.
A trend she likes: “Denim maxi skirts.”
Does she think she’s stylish: “Yes, but only on a good day, which happens probably two days in a week. I think what makes people stylish is expressing themselves without caring too much about trends. Sometimes, they can even start trends.”
Name: Nurin Irdina Riduwan
Age: 16
Occupation: student
Her fit: “Most of my outfit is from Shein and I love the stars on my sunglasses and skirt. My top was bought on Shopee and my mum bought me my boots from Rubi Shoes… I don’t really go for fancy stuff.”
Her dream job: “To be a model.”
Something interesting about her: “I know I have confidence. I am independent and I understand fashion.”
ALL INTERVIEWS HAVE BEEN EDITED FOR CLARITY & BREVITY. TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE FASHION ENTHUSIASTS, HEAD TO @FEMALESINGAPORE ON TIKTOK.
Interviews & Coordination Alby Permana, assisted by Kalyse Hoo Photography Phyllicia Wang, Athirah Annissa & Lawrence Teo
A version of this article first appeared in the August 2023 Youth! Edition of FEMALE