FEMALE People Cam: Singapore Art Week Edition
Our monthly compendium of true Singapore style as captured on the streets
How did we spend our time at Singapore Art Week (SAW), which ran from January 19 to January 28 and featured more than 150 art exhibitions and programs by over 400 artists? Well, apart from basking in the artistic vibes at shows such as the Eat Play Love exhibition held in a soon-to-be-sold bungalow in Holland Park and exhibits by some of Singapore's young art talents, we also took our FEMALE People Cam to roam the shows, keeping an eye out for truly stylish visitors. Judging from the individuals we've observed below, it's true what they say – the art crowd just has a unique flair when expressing themselves through fashion.
Name: Kelly Lim
Age: 33
Occupation: Textile artist
Spotted at: First Night, First Light: The SAW 2024 Opening Party at National Gallery Singapore
Her fit: "The overall is from Donna Karan, but it's originally my mom's. She shortened it since she's much smaller than I am. Underneath, there's an Irish crochet sweater I thrifted in Japan. The 'leg warmers,' though they don't offer much warmth due to the holes, were crocheted by me using scrap yarns. The platforms are from New Rock. My market basket bag, one of my favourites, is from Sun Jellies. The crossbody bag is from Gucci."
How being a textile artist influences her personal style: "I think one inspires the other; I don't think this 'sense' (for both fashion and art) is separate. I began crocheting at seven years old, and I've loved making clothes and using textiles for as long as I can remember. It's useful that I am also able to make items I'd like to wear, as I studied fashion design too."
The proudest work she has done: "I always answer this the same way: it's the next one. Because growth is always something to be proud of."
Her style inspiration: "No one really, not one single person at least. However, there's someone who inspired me to not be afraid to wear exactly what I want, and that is Agyness Deyn. She's an ex-model and an icon (from the 2000s). She broke all the codes and wore whatever she wanted, even when it wasn't a party."
Name: Abegail Loreno Arendayen
Age: 25
Occupation: Knitwear artist and freelancer in the film art department
Spotted at: First Night, First Light: The SAW 2024 Opening Party at National Gallery Singapore
Her fit: "The tattoo dress is from Bershka. My bangles were thrifted. The bag is from Steve Madden, and the shoes are a collaboration between Melissa and Collina Strada."
Her style inspiration: "I don't have a very specific style; I like to dress up depending on how I feel that day or based on my activities. I feel most inspired by style when I find a piece of clothing that brings me joy or excitement. Typically, I'll then build the rest of the outfit around it."
Her favourite fashion purchase: "That's a tough choice because I love pretty much everything I own. A recent favourite would be the 2023 Crocs cowboy boots that I bought as a birthday gift to myself last year. I was told only 10 pairs were being sold in Singapore, so it makes me appreciate them even more, and they're incredibly comfortable."
Name: Zahirah Sulhan
Age: 24
Occupation: Graphic design intern
Spotted at: First Night, First Light: The SAW 2024 Opening Party at National Gallery Singapore
Their fit: "The sweater is from H&M. The skirt is from a JW Anderson X Uniqlo collaboration. The Mary Janes are from Charles and Keith."
How would they rate their outfit: "An eight out of 10! I could have worn more accessories; hence, it's not a full score. Usually, I try to have at least a set of necklaces and bracelets. I still felt cute regardless."
The most precious item in their closet and why: "It would be a pair of batik-printed vests, a hand-me-down from the family. My culture is quite important to me as I do wish to know more about it, and I sometimes feel it’s vanishing due to the fast pace the world is going through."
How has being in graphic design influenced their style: "They take cues and inspiration from what they absorb, observe, and create with; the same goes for their style. I enjoy graphic design styles like maximalism, Asian pop culture references, minimalism but with a kawaii/cute appeal, and Victorian. They treat their style, design, and life as a never-ending fun journey."
Name: Koh Maan Lin
Age: 24
Occupation: Project manager
Spotted at: First Night, First Light: The SAW 2024 Opening Party at National Gallery Singapore
Her fit: "My vintage leather jacket is from a local vintage store, Stakeout. I just bought this tank top from Tyler McGillivary. I'm obsessed with how they do plant prints on shirts and dresses. The denim skirt is from Asos. The boots are from Dr Martens, and the bag is from Baggu. I coordinated my accessories to fit the outfit too."
An independent label she loves: "I really like (Italian label) Marina Eerrie. It's a brand that I won't even dream of owning because it's so expensive, but I enjoy looking at their designs for inspiration. I'm really into their take on the modern vampire goth aesthetic and the corsetry work."
Her best vintage find: "It's this pleated denim wrap-around skirt I found in Honsie Ponsie, a second-hand clothing store in Queensway Shopping Centre (I don't gatekeep good things!). It fits me just right and is so timeless; I wear it to every occasion like concerts, casual hangouts with friends, even my uni graduation."
Someone's wardrobe she would raid: "There's this Canadian-Malaysian influencer called Mei Pang. I love every single piece of clothing she owns. She has a lot of black clothing, but it's in all shapes and textures, and it doesn't look boring at all, and I am aspiring towards that. She has a pair of leather pants from Acne Studios which I love. I don't think I'll be able to afford that anytime soon, but it sure is nice to look at her wear it."
Name: Trickie Lopa
Age: In her 50s
Occupation: Co-founder of Art Fair Philippines
Spotted at: First Night, First Light: The SAW 2024 Opening Party at National Gallery Singapore
Her fit: "My top and pants are both from a Filipino label, Bagasao by Joseph Bagasao. He is a young designer whom I love to support because I feel he has mastered the balance between casual and trendy styles. The bag is from Saint Laurent."
Her favourite designers: "In the Philippines, it would be Joseph Bagasao, of course, and Renz Reyes. All of them seem to have a touch of artistic element in their work which I like. I view them as wearable art for me to wear."
On how her style has developed over the years: "I've always worn what I like. I enjoy pieces that are a little quirky and unconventional."
Name: Lynda Tay
Age: 33
Occupation: Programmer
Spotted at: First Night, First Light: The SAW 2024 Opening Party at National Gallery Singapore
Her fit: "Both the top and bottoms are from Issey Miyake. The mules are from Melissa's collaboration with Y/Project, and the bag is vintage."
When her love for fashion started: "I began exploring fashion magazines during my teenage years when I visited bookstores. I was captivated and inspired by the transformative impact of clothing, makeup, hair, and styling on an individual."
Her favourite fashion purchase: "My favourite pair of roomy black jeans. I love how the distressed details create an interesting texture, the way they match with anything in my closet, and how the hem falls on the shoe."
Her style inspiration: "It’s varied and can come from anywhere, but I would say friends, people I follow or chance upon online, everyday life, and I love looking at the styling in fashion shows."
Name: Lylatul Qadrina
Age: 31
Occupation: Vice president of Malaysian non-profit art platform, Kakiseni
Spotted at: First Night, First Light: The SAW 2024 Opening Party at National Gallery Singapore
Her fit: "My T-shirt is from a non-profit organisation that fights for refugees in Malaysia. It has a quote on it that says, ‘Just like mother nature, children have rights as well.’ The skirt is Sonia Rykiel. The shoes were a gift from my brother from Germany, paired with coloured tights from Kenzo."
Her style inspiration: “I don’t get inspired by anyone but myself. I dress according to my mood every day. However, I was inspired a lot by Hayley Williams from Paramore when I was growing up. She was known for having outrageous hair colours.”
Does she change her hair colour a lot: "Yes! I used to change my hair colour every two weeks when I was a little younger. I’ve done it all: blue, red, purple, yellow, blonde, you name it; I’ve done it."
Name: X Zhu-Nowell
Age: 33
Occupation: Curator
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
Their fit: "I’m wearing a full Gucci suit. The bag is Diesel, and the shoes are Toga. The cap is Mowalola."
The best part about their job: "The most rewarding aspect of my job is the opportunity it provides to engage in conversations with artists and thinkers, exposing me to different visions of life. On the flip side, the worst part might be the intensity of the workload. It’s a 24/7 gig."
Their favourite designer: "I love wearing clothes designed by artists. My friend Barbara Sanchez-Kane is a fantastic artist and designer based in Mexico City."
Their best fashion purchase: "My standout fashion purchase is a statement jacket in bright yellow by Balenciaga. It’s an immediate mood booster."
Name: Christina J. Chua
Age: 33
Occupation: Art dealer
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
Her fit: "The top is from Comme des Garcons. The skirt is from an Indonesian designer, and I paired it with some Margiela Tabi boots."
The best thing about her job: "Placing excellent pieces with my clients. Even though it sometimes takes a while to find the rarer ones, it’s always satisfying when the artwork finds a good home."
How has art influenced her sense of style: "Art doesn’t influence my sense of style, except that I often wear black, which I guess is the unstated code in the art world."
Her favourite label: "I love Issey Miyake. It can be elegant, playful and timeless all at the same time."
Name: Charmaine Ong
Age: 23
Occupation: Retail Assistant
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
Her fit: "Everything is from Taobao."
What sparked her interest in fashion: "My interest in fashion was sparked by various factors. Firstly, having a sibling who studies fashion design exposed me to the intricacies of the industry, fostering my appreciation for style. Additionally, exploring fashion content creators on YouTube, whose content resonated with my taste in fashion, played a pivotal role in nurturing my passion for the world of style."
Her first fashionable purchase: "If I recall correctly, the first fashion piece I purchased was an oversized double-breasted blazer in blue with a grey checkered pattern. I was immediately drawn to its distinctive oversized silhouette, and what intrigued me even more was its versatility. This blazer proved to be easily styled and mixed with different outfits, making it a dynamic addition to my wardrobe."
Her biggest fashion red flag: "Vibrant or overly patterned socks. I believe they can impact the overall neatness of an outfit and potentially divert attention solely to the footwear or socks, overshadowing the outfit as a cohesive ensemble."
Name: Ryan Su
Age: Prefers not to say
Occupation: Art lawyer
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
His fit: "My outfit is full Comme des Garcons. I think it's made out of some paper or plastic. It feels artsy, so I’ve decided to wear it today! I paired it with some JW Anderson mules."
His favourite designer: "I have many favourite designers. Among them is Rei Kawakubo, and the Comme des Garcons pieces by her that attract me the most are the lumpy and bumpy ones. It takes a certain kind of person to wear these clothes, and I often think of the iconic and acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid, who I thought looked fabulous in them. These are also 'dangerous' clothes that can swallow you up if you don’t have the personality or confidence to carry them off, and often provoke polemic reactions from people."
A fashion item he is eyeing right now: "I have been crazy about Jonathan Anderson’s giant Anthurium flower for Loewe, which is worn like a breastplate. I have been searching for it and have yet to find it. The boutiques don’t have it – and I have yet to find it at auction (I go to fashion auctions too). I would gladly have it in any colour. I am very much inspired by the natural world and have been growing these flowering anthuriums in my home for several years now, and it would be an absolute joy to wear a giant one!"
What he collects: "I love art. My art collection started in the United Kingdom when I was an exchange student. I began with these Polaroid photographs taken by Andy Warhol of celebrities and other artists – which he would then use as the source material for his screenprints. I later moved on to collecting paintings and sculptures from both international and Southeast Asian artists. Most recently, I acquired Pinaree Sanpitak’s 'Breast Stupas,' which was a collaboration between the artist and Maison Valentino."
Name: Yeo Kaa
Age: 34
Occupation: Artist
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
Her fit: "I got my top from a thrift store in Bangkok. The pants are from Shopee. The bag is from Carlyn which I just bought the day before. The shoes are Nike, and the glasses are from Gentle Monster."
How being an artist is like: "Mostly crying, followed by picking yourself up and continuing to work."
Does her art inspire her personal style: "Yes! You have to check out my work, @yeokaa on Instagram. It is colourful, just like me. I used to wear black previously because I was going through a lot, but now I'm happy! I still do wear black, but that means I don't have time to think of an outfit."
Name: Vanessa Liem
Age: 21
Occupation: Artist
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
Her fit: "My jacket was thrifted from Japan. My skirt is from Weekday. I can’t remember where the pants are from, but I think it's an online brand from Korea. The shoes are from Adidas. My rings are collected throughout the years from everywhere."
Her style inspiration: "I’d say my friends are a huge inspiration, they’re cool people that wear cool stuff and every time I see them, I’m like wow I wanna look like that!"
The best part about being an artist: "The best part about being an artist for me is the state where I’m in complete concentration with what I’m doing, completely oblivious to everything around me. My mind gets too occupied about what I’m putting on the canvas to be thinking about anything else, and I love it."
Name: Justin Lai
Age: 52
Occupation: Artist
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
His fit: "I love vintage clothing, so everything today is mostly vintage and sourced from all over the world. Both my blazer and Chanel bag are from Tokyo. The top is from Paris, and the pants are from Shanghai. The pearl necklace was gifted by a friend. The shoes are from Alexander McQueen."
When and how did his love for vintage clothing start: "I started browsing Salvation Army’s thrift stores when I was at university in Canada. As a fresh grad, I didn’t have much to spend on fashion. So, these thrift stores became my 'playground' where I could pick what I like and experiment with fashion. I even got my family interested in vintage shopping. There seems to be a stigma, especially for Asians, of pre-owned items. But that’s not a taboo for me. Rather, I see it as the passing on of an heirloom."
His favourite cities in the world: "My top three favourite cities are Tokyo, Paris, and London. It seems cliche, but I mainly focus on the arts and vintage fashion. Last year, I spent two months in Europe and four months in Japan, mainly soaking in local arts and culture. I would go to various vintage stores on a daily basis and then source for items that I like. I tend to buy women’s clothing rather than men’s because it is much more versatile. The variety of design and fabric makes it much more interesting when I coordinate them."
Name: Mann Chien
Age: 38
Occupation: Fashion designer
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
Her fit: "The star of the show is really this Motoguo sweater. The skirt is by Molly Chu. The bag, shoes, and everything else are sourced online from various places."
Her fashion design heroes: "Two from my favourite genres: the existentialist muse, Juliette Greco, and Elsa Schiaparelli of the surrealist realm. Oh, and American actress Edie Sedgwick too."
Her fashion pet peeve: "Fast fashion. There is so much to consider regarding its environmental and social impact."
What sparked her to start her namesake label: "I had a problem finding fashion that I felt connected to. I believe what we wear should eventually tell the story of who we are. That’s when I began combining both of what I love: fashion and art, and started painting stories on garments I made."
Name: Shen Jiaqi
Age: 33
Occupation: Artist
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
Her fit: "The top is from Acne Studios, and the dress is from a Chinese brand called Mint. The bag is Rabeanco, and the shoes are from Charles & Keith."
How did she get into art: "I have always been interested in the art world since a young age, as both my parents are art enthusiasts. However, it wasn’t an easy career path for either of them, so they had valid concerns when I first expressed interest in the art industry."
The best and worst thing about being an artist: "The best thing is being able to dictate my own schedule and plan my work around the hours that best suit my body clock. However, I do struggle with 'work-life balance' as my work requires me to put in very long hours to achieve the standard of art that I want to produce. But I persist because it is great to be able to share what I make with any audience. The toughest thing about being an artist here is definitely in the financial aspects, be it studio rental (due to the scale of our artwork) or material costs; they do add up very quickly. It is also challenging as a career because it has no tried-and-true path that would lead to any result; it really depends on the individual."
Her style inspiration: "On a day-to-day basis, I tend to gravitate towards staple pieces that work well with my proportions, and I stick to certain preferred colour tones so most of my pieces can layer with each other. I tend to like clothes made of more lasting fabrics that, at the same time, have a bit of a design twist that allows me to find getting ready to go out a little more interesting. I get my style inspirations from either Japanese or Hong Kong fashion brands, and I am also drawn to looks that are made by mixing traditional clothing with contemporary pieces."
Name: Chang Siok Eng
Age: 55
Occupation: Art collector
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
Her fit: "The top is Diesel, which I think is from either the kids or youth line, a fact I wasn’t aware of until the cashier told me. I love the neoprene-like material and the frayed edges. The pants are from Issey Miyake, and the sandals are from No. 21. Lastly, the handbag is from Coachtopia."
Her style inspiration: "I get my inspiration from magazines, trends on social media, films, and stylish people I admire, as well as just by observing my surroundings."
How has her sense of style developed over the years: "My style has evolved with my lifestyle. When my children were younger, I wore a lot of tracksuits, which were trendy then thanks to the popularity of Juicy Couture. It also evolved depending on the country I lived in. For example, I was bolder and dressed up more when I was in Hong Kong, compared to when I was residing in Taipei, where the dressing is a bit more conservative. The energy and culture were also different. In Singapore, I dress according to the weather, the kind of activities I do, and appropriately depending on the occasion. Like an artist who showcases their creativity on canvas, I am a platform to showcase my creativity as well."
Name: Jiwon Jung
Age: 40
Occupation: Lawyer
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
Her fit: "The top and skirt are both from Miu Miu. The bag is a Hermes Birkin, and the watch is Patek Philippe. The shoes are from Adidas's collaboration with Wales Bonner."
Her work uniform: "In Korea where I'm from, I had to wear only black, navy, and grey suits for work, which lasted almost 10 years due to court appearances. After moving to Singapore, I changed my hair colour and started experimenting with various colours of clothes."
Her favourite designer: "I appreciate various fashion brands, but for me, Hermes is synonymous with classic style. Despite trying clothes, bags, and accessories from various brands, it seems that only Hermes remains unchanged over time."
What she's eyeing at the moment: "For the past few years, small bags that don't fit much have been in trend, but now it seems like the era of large bags is making a comeback. Large bags just look more stylish to me, so probably one of them."
Name: Inna Xu
Age: Prefers not to say
Occupation: Gallerist
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
Her fit: "Both my suit and pants are Comme des Garçons, and the shoes are Grounds."
The best part about being a gallerist: "The best part is exposing more people to the exceptional creations of artists. While there are always some regrets, it's not the worst; each experience is a chance to do better next time."
What she hopes to see more of in the art world: "I hope for greater inclusivity, embracing diverse perspectives, and creating a vibrant, supportive environment for artists."
Name: Marcos Kueh
Age: 29
Occupation: Textile artist
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
His fit: "The coat is from Central Market in Kuala Lumpur. It was made by a seamstress from Sarawak. The beads are from Sarawak as well. The vest was thrifted, and the pants are from Weekday. Lastly, the shoes are Dr. Martens."
What made him pursue a career in art: "I was initially trained as a graphic designer and then moved into textile design. I’ve never intentionally pursued art but was invited for some art shows from the institutions over in the Netherlands and it just picked up from there."
The best thing about being an artist: "The best thing is probably the ability to present discourses that matter to you to the public, and the hardest thing is probably separating real life from work."
What inspires his works: "My main artistic research has always been about finding pride as a post-colonial product. So I’m invested in alternative perspectives to reconsider what it means to be slow or traditional or complicated in times when we are facing so much suffering in a world that is running too fast."
Name: Chen Dongfan
Age: Prefers not to say
Occupation: Artist
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
His fit: "Head to toe Rick Owens."
What is his art rooted in: "My work is inspired by the imbalance and balance of body and mind, as well as the powerful force of emotions."
The best and worst part about being an artist: "The best and worst aspects are synonymous: facing a blank canvas poses a challenge in deciding how to begin and determining when to end."
Name: Wong Binghao
Age: 33
Occupation: Curator and writer
Spotted at: Art SG at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
Their fit: "The entire outfit is from COS, and the sandals are from Dr. Martens. The bag is by Proenza Schouler."
The best part about their job: "Befriending and collaborating with mavericks with an unpindownable flair and fortitude. Despite popular assumptions about our line of work, this is an uncommon and therefore cherishable experience."
Their favourite designers: “Chitose Abe of Sacai, Phoebe Philo during her late Celine years, Nicolas Ghesquiere’s early 2010s Balenciaga years because I see myself in those clothes, and Alber Elbaz for Lanvin for his brazen excess.”
One person’s closet they would raid: “Anyone with a strong and unflinching sense of personal style because it takes courage to be beautiful. Also, to find new friends to shop Ssense sales and talk shop with.”
Name: Erwinshah Hassan
Age: 26
Occupation: Content creator and model
Spotted at: ArtWalk Festival at Little India
His fit:"The printed halter top and arm bracelet are from a thrift store in Vietnam called Angel Heart. The bag was thrifted at a Christmas flea market here. The pinstripe office pants are my dad’s old ones but altered to fit me. The boots are from Charles & Keith."
His fashion heroes: “David Bowie and Carrie Bradshaw. They’re both individually stylish and uniquely chaotic. Both of them combined would describe the essence of my style.”
How art has influenced his style: “In every way. Always. Art is all around us and in us. That being said, I’m a person who finds inspiration in the tiniest things. And I like to see things deeper and create meaning out of my own. It’s a visual stimulant for me whenever I get the opportunity to walk around and just breathe and look at art and create from there.”
His best fashion purchase: “My vintage, limited-edition Bottega Veneta bag. It was my first big girl purchase.”
Name: Jane Simorangkir
Age: 24
Occupation: Fashion designer and artist
Spotted at: ArtWalk Festival at Little India
Her fit: “The dress was thrifted from @cherry.thriftshop. My shoes are from Charles and Keith, and my accessories were thrifted. The hat is from Vintage Hearts in Vietnam from when I recently visited.”
Her best fashion purchase: “It wasn’t purchased but handed down to me by my aunt. It was a grey felted Prada small backpack. I was little, and that bag was the one thing I brought with me when I was a kid.”
Her inspiration when it comes to designing: “It would most definitely have to be a combination of hippie and punk. Recently, I'm trying to infuse my Indian and Indonesian heritage into my designs!”
Name: Wu Chuyue
Age: 25
Occupation: Fashion design graduate
Spotted at: ArtWalk Festival at Little India
Her fit: "The dress is from 1p studio and the shoes are from 幻象者. The statement belt is from Michicat."
How did she get into fashion: "My entry into the fashion world was a little unexpected. I didn't have a fascination with fashion until junior high when we were studying traditional Chinese clothing for a school assignment. The intricate patterns, craftsmanship, and how all the colour combinations harmoniously sparked and blended tradition together with modern fashion captivated me. That's when everything started, and I entered the fashion industry."
Her thoughts on the fashion scene in Singapore: "In just the last couple of years, the fashion scene in Singapore has kicked it up a notch, and I'm loving the vibe. Dressing up feels like painting a canvas. It's awesome to see all these people embracing this and getting more comfortable expressing themselves with their unique styles. Hopefully, in the future, we'll see more people just do their own thing without worrying too much about what others might think of their fashion sense. Let's keep it authentic!"