FEMALE People Cam: Dec 2023
Our monthly compendium showcasing true Singaporean style as captured on the streets
By Pang Jia Wei,
December marks five months of our scouring the city with our cameras to decode Singaporean style for the FEMALE People Cam column. During this street style adventure, meeting over 125 people, we've discovered that while comfort is our BFF, the individuals we spoke to have mastered the art of slaying it in their own unique identities through experimenting, choosing unique accessories, and styling their purchases, whether thrifted or new. We might not be a big fashion city, but we’re great when it comes to individual style.
Name: Alby Permana
Age: 20
Occupation: Fashion media student
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: "My top is from Weekday, just a basic tank top. The jeans are from Motel Rocks. The belt is a vintage Christian Dior passed down from my mum. The bag is a vintage Fendi. I was actually looking for a Baguette, but I ended up with this. My ballet flats are from a Canadian brand, @maguireshoes, and my 'A' necklace is from @sula_studio."
A piece of fashion advice she swears by: "One can never go wrong with jeans and a white tee or tank top. I know it’s basic and can be boring, but if you play with the silhouette and know what looks good on you, you really can make those two basics a little more elevated. It’s all about the styling."
The most precious item in her closet: "My Loewe balloon shoes! I wasn't planning to buy them until I got to the store in Europe. The black and red ones were sold out, but I was determined to find them. After searching in three different countries (all sold out of my size), I finally ordered them from Mytheresa during my last days in London. They almost didn't make it back to me, delivered on the morning of my flight home. Thankfully, they did. All good things come with a struggle, and those shoes were one of those moments."
Name: Charlotte Wang
Age: 30
Occupation: Content creator
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: "The tank top is from Grana, a Hong Kong brand with great basics that I really like. The skirt is from Cecilie Bahnsen, a gift from Vestiaire Collective. My shoes are from Balagan, specialising in leather shoes, and the bag is from Longchamp."
Her favourite designer and why: "I'm a big fan of clean lines and effortless styling. Jil Sander, Phoebe Philo, and the Olsen Twins for The Row are a few of my favourites."
What might surprise people about her: "People are always surprised by how much hand sanitiser I use."
Name: Sheree Toh
Age: 26
Occupation: Fashion stylist
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: "The dress is from Ginlee Studio, and the boots are from Topshop, bought in Hong Kong. The bag is from Charles and Keith, where I work."
What might surprise people about her: "I'm crazy about cats, but I'm actually really scared of them."
One trend she wants to leave behind in 2023: "I am so ready to ditch the low-waisted jeans trend."
Name: Samuel Eng
Age: 24
Occupation: University student
Spotted at: Orchard Road
His fit: "My jacket is from Etienne Ozeki, scored at a thrift store in Shimokitazawa, Japan. The necklace is from a small store in Omotesando, and the rings are all thrifted. The bag is from Coach, a fantastic find from my friend's thrift store. The pants are from Plop Apparels by the Vietnamese brand The Idiot. The shoes are from Amazon, and the sunglasses are from my dad."
Fashion advice he swears by: "Take the time to know your clothes. Wear your shirt with a different pair of pants, button it differently, tuck it in a unique way—experiment with what you have instead of buying new things all the time. You just need new ways to style clothes, not necessarily new clothes."
One style he wants to try in 2024: "Honestly? Goth! I think the style has the most unique and uncanny approach to accessories that other styles just can't beat. I jump from style to style quite a lot, picking up some things from each one along the way, and goth seems like the next thing I'd love to learn about."
Name: Lu Cheng
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: "The clothes are from a buyers' store – a.k.a. wholesale store – in Shanghai, and the bag is a Chanel 22."
The most precious item in her closet: "A Louis Vuitton wrap coat – it's a birthday gift from my parents before I came from China to study abroad in Singapore, and I think it 'goes with everything.'"
What might surprise people about her: "I can totally transform and look completely different in various fashion styles, and I change my hair colour very often."
Name: Vu Thi Ha Phuong
Age: 23
Occupation: Creative direction student
Spotted at: Sophia Road
Her fit: "I’m wearing a dress with Charles & Keith Oxfords and a Coach bag. I love bold colors. I feel confident, fresh, and bold when I wear green, especially on a day off!"
A fashion advice she swears by: "I don't have any fashion rules. I want to break the rules and be creative in my own way. I want to be an empowered woman, and my fashion is my statement. Sometimes I can be elegant, sometimes colorful, sometimes a bit bold, and sometimes being edgy creates an interesting look on me too. I want to wear what I want; I want to be my own fashion story as long as I'm happy and confident with that."
One trend she wants to leave behind in 2023: "As a Gen Zer and fashion student, I think each style has its own distinctive essence. I don’t want to leave any style because I’m kind of flexible when it comes to styling myself."
Name: Karin Shimoyama
Age: 21
Occupation: Hospitality student
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: "The top is from Shein, and the pants are from Zara. The bag is Louis Vuitton – it's my mum's, and we are sharing it."
A fashion advice she swears by: "Knowing your personal colours is important. I avoid wearing orange and blue because they don’t match my skin colour. On the other hand, I look good in white, black, yellow, and pink."
What might surprise people about her: "I am the biggest beer addict."
Name: Niven Lim
Age: 22
Occupation: Fresh graduate
Spotted at: Orchard Road
His fit: "The basic white tee is from Cos. The hoodie and jeans are from Urban Outfitters. The leather jacket is thrifted from overseas. The shoes are the Prada Monoliths. The bag is a mini Chanel classic flap bag."
A fashion advice he swears by: "One lesson I've learned over the years, having made those mistakes myself, is that sometimes less is more. Going all out with the 'more is more' rule doesn't always look the most appealing. But I understand different styles and aesthetics have their own vibe."
The most precious item in his closet: "Precious could be both non-valuable and valuable, but to me, it would have to be a good watch. I really love my Cartier Panthere watch in the small size. I think it’s an easy way to look put together and always elevate a basic look for the everyday."
Name: Ryan Lee
Age: 19
Occupation: Marketing student
Spotted at: Kampong Bahru
His fit: "The accessories (beanie, shades, and mask) are from Seoul-based punk brand 99%IS. The shirt is from Number (N)one, the blazer is from 424. The parachute harness is from Seditionaries. I'm wearing bondage pants from Undercover and vintage military boots.”
The most precious item in his closet: "A blazer from 424 – the one I’m wearing in the picture. I've decorated it with meaningful embellishments collected or gifted from people and experiences I appreciate dearly. The blazer is virtually impossible to find online, making it exclusive and personal."
What might surprise people about him: "I used to teach humanities and mathematics to O-Level students."
Name: Guo Hanqi
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Spotted at: Haji Lane
Her fit: "This dress or top is from Pull&Bear. The jeans are from Japan, but I forgot the brand's name. My shoes are from Onitsuka Tigers. My bag is from Charles & Keith. Rings from H&M."
What she does in her free time: "Boxing and dancing. I started boxing after my A levels, and I find it quite fun, so I do it to relax now."
On whether she thinks she's fashionable: "I won’t say I am fashionable, but I have my own style, and I know how to dress myself up. My style is chill, and I like street style. Sometimes I wear something a bit artistic to differentiate myself. Blue is my favourite colour, so I always add some kind of blue element to my outfit."
Name: Jasmine Ng
Age: 28
Occupation: Content creator
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: "The top is from Mango. The skirt is from an Indonesian brand called Love and Flair. My bag is from Songmont. These chunky boots are from Charles and Keith."
What inspired her look: "I don’t usually go for full black outfits. I’m quite versatile when it comes to style. Sometimes I’m cute and feminine. But today I decided to go for a more chic and elegant look with clean, minimal lines."
What might surprise people about her: "In comparison to my Instagram, I’m much friendlier and easygoing when they meet me in real life."
Name: Karin Natasya Harahap
Age: 25
Occupation: General medical practitioner and owner of an online vintage business
Spotted at: Sophia Road
Her fit: "I’m wearing an upcycled jacket made by myself from a vintage tapestry calendar sourced from an antique store in Indonesia. I added oriental buttons and used fabrics for the sleeves, giving it a Simone Rocha feel. The pants are also made by myself. The bag is a vintage Miu Miu from the 1990s, available at my vintage store, @paparazzi2000vintage on IG."
The most precious item in her closet: "My Vivienne Westwood corset made before the year I was born! I used to own four archival museum pieces of rare 1990s Vivienne Westwood corsets. Some weren’t my size, so I sold three of them, and I deeply regret it. In 2019, I sold one of the corsets to Welsh-Greek singer-songwriter Marina and the Diamonds for her album tour. I'm happy to be part of her amazing tour. Now I only have one corset left, despite numerous offers, I refuse to sell it."
What might surprise people about her: "Most people are always surprised to find out that I'm a doctor. During a visit to Japan, the store staff mistook me for a fashion design student. Not just one time, almost every time I go anywhere."
Name: Muhammad Rifqi Bin Muhammad Imran
Age: 20
Occupation: Retail assistant
Spotted at: Orchard Road
His fit: "The bag is from Bottega Veneta. My aunt bought it for me, so it's free. My rings are Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Chrome Hearts. My jacket is Stussy, and the pants are Dickies. The shoes are Adidas Sambas."
What might surprise people about him: "As much as I love fashion and styling outfits for myself, I am actually colour-blind, so I choose an outfit based on the look of it."
Which celebrity's wardrobe would he raid: "For sure, Manu Rios, as most of his looks I see on social media are definitely in line with my personal style. It's simple and clean, yet there are accents of elevation in it."
Name:Nhu Tran
Age: 24
Occupation: Vegetarian bistro bar owner
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: "My tank top is thrifted. I cut it up and DIY-ed this asymmetrical hem myself. The skirt and boots are both thrifted as well."
A fashion advice she swears by: "Dress how you like and in clothes that make you feel confident. Honestly, in my opinion, fashion has no rules."
What might surprise people about her: "I honestly don’t know. With my current appearance, I would say people will be surprised that I’m very uptight? I am a Capricorn moon. I also hate clubbing and loud crowded places."
Name: Momo Ko
Age: 37
Occupation: Sales manager
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: "Both the jacket and skirt are from this Chinese brand, Huaying Yaoyao. My bag is Louis Vuitton. The watch is Rolex, and the shoes are Gucci."
How has her style changed over the years: "Recently, I prefer Chinese-inspired clothes, as you can see."
How she stays fashionable: "I often look at celebrities' outfits and attend fashion conferences in China."
Name: Belina Lim
Age: 26
Occupation: Freelance creative
Spotted at: Haji Lane
Her fit: "My whole fit is thrifted from Jalan Jalan Japan in Johor Bahru except the boots. They are from Charles & Keith"
Favourite designer and why: "Currently, I’ve been looking a lot more at student designers’ works, like @licbvn, @brownbh5bie, @putriadif, and @b0xfreshbeauties on IG, just to name a few. I admire how they instil their own identity in their work unapologetically, and it shows! The dedication to their craft is truly respectable and inspiring within the Singapore creative landscape today."
One trend she'd like to try in 2024: "Mismatched fashion. Things that aren’t supposed to go together but somehow work? Like biker shorts with skirts. Why not? I feel like I’m already doing it. Baby steps!"
Name: Rahmat Bin Adnan a.k.a. Matt
Age: 23
Occupation: Creative direction student
Spotted at: Peace Centre
His fit: "The denim shirt and jeans are from a local brand in Vietnam, but I can’t remember the name. Going for a double denim look today. I love denim. Wearing some classic Dr. Martens boots. The leather bag is from Puma."
A fashion advice he swears by: "Buy versatile pieces that let you interchange your look and build a timeless wardrobe."
One trend he will leave in 2023: "I don't think I have any trend I would want to leave behind, as I think having an assemblage of fashion trends in my wardrobe supports my rule of interchangeability and versatility. Having timeless trends in my wardrobe is pretty important too, just like my double denim outfit. I don’t think it will ever go out of style in times to come."
Name: Salam A
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Spotted at: Marina Bay Sands
His fit: "My shirt is from Tommy Hilfiger, undershirt is a basic tank top, pants are from a now-defunct brand, and shoes are from Onitsuka Tiger.”
Most precious item in his closet: "All are precious; I tend to them like grudges. If I had to choose, it’d be everything from my dad’s late 1980s to early 90s closet!"
What might surprise people about him: "I'm a bit of a chameleon, adapting to my surroundings. I prefer connecting with people through shared ideas and spirituality. I’m a firm believer in 'no you without others.'"
Name: Qillah Hadi
Age: 23
Occupation: Fine arts student
Spotted at: Peace Centre
Her fit: "I'm wearing a pair of vintage Japanese frames for my glasses. The necklace is a custom piece from @deadnettle.archive. The corduroy jacket is my dad's vintage Levi's. The mock neck shirt is from Mango, paired with a thrifted skirt. The belt is also thrifted. The Oxfords are Dr. Martens. The bag, sourced from Taobao, is made from natural-dyed linen."
A fashion advice she lives by: "I always strive to rejuvenate pre-loved items in my own way and to appreciate quality design rather than just the brand."
Most cherished item in your closet: "A vintage American handbag from my mother's slay era, serving as a reminder that she too was once just a girl. We share more similarities than I'd like to admit."
Name: He refers to himself as MoodyDen
Age: 31
Occupation: Freelance creative who dabbles in fields such as photography and modelling
Spotted at: Peace Centre
His fit: "The hat is from a store in Cineleisure, which is now closed. Both the shirt and T-shirt are from Uniqlo. The pants are from Muji. The kicks are Chuck 70s. This is just a random bag that I decorated with some pins. If anyone doesn't want their pins, you can send them my way."
Fashion advice he lives by: "People will always have an opinion of you, so dress up for yourself and don't forget to unapologetically embrace it."
One trend he'd like to try in 2024: "There are many out there to experiment with, but mostly blending decades-old and contemporary styles. I'll go where the wind blows and continue dressing according to my mood. Let MoodyDen (himself) be MoodyDen."