BAZAAR Most Stylish Women 2023

These are the women in Singapore who take risks and break barriers while embodying innate style and elegance.

NEJLA MATAM-FINN, 44, CEO AND FOUNDER OF THE FIFTH COLLECTION

As one of the brains behind The Fifth Collection, a preloved fashion retail platform, Matam-Finn knows good style when she sees it. “Given my training, I am able to analyse what a designer is trying to achieve with a collection. My husband jokes that I am like a quantum computer when it comes to the history of any  brand,” says Matam-Finn. Even though she loves designs from the  likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Phoebe Philo, she is much more interested in the history behind a piece of clothing than actually wearing it. This fascination harks back to the days when, as a poor student in Paris, she would attend free conventions at the Louvre on  the history of fashion with a panel of notable speakers from the  industry. “One of them was Maria Luisa, who was one of the first  creators behind concept stores in the city. Listening to how she was able to merge fashion history with merchandising and commerce  while creating a community before the 2000s really resonated with me,” says Matam-Finn. While Luisa continues to inspire the  entrepreneur, Matam-Finn also enjoys the creativity of women who  pop up on her social media feeds. There was a time when she looked up to Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn but realised that their perfect aesthetic could never be achieved. “I love seeing women in  their 40s, 50s and 60s who are open to mixing and matching their clothes from extremely relatable brands and doing fun videos,” says Matam-Finn. “There’s this woman from the UK who shows off her look in the kitchen as she chops, mashes and dances — that’s cool.” 

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DAPHNE CHEN-CORDEIRO, 41, CREATIVE CONSULTANT

With over 15 years of experience in editorial planning, social media management and visual storytelling, Chen-Cordeiro is no stranger to the local publishing scene. Style-wise, this translates into a powerful sense of assurance. “It’s definitely gotten more practical. I'm often with my kids and running around, so I pick out black separates and really easy pieces, but at other times, I love to be able to have a bit more fun. I don’t mind being overdressed—I’m often overdressed and I don't care—I like crazy dramatic pieces as well, so it’s always a mix of both.” For the latter, she turns to Khaite, Christopher Esber, and Milla; brands known for their feminine staples and romantic dresses. Her favourite fashion item is a neon pink slip dress that her mother passed down to her on her wedding day. “It’s made of silk and has a slit and embroidery on it. I paired it with sneakers, wore it to go out with my friend, wore it at fashion week. I wore it so much and saw what it was doing to the fabric; it’s now sitting in my closet. I’m so scared to touch it but it’s still so precious to me,” shares Chen-Cordeiro. Working in the industry for most of her life has shaped the way she sees fashion. “You’re more exposed to beautiful things,” says Chen-Cordeiro, who recalls getting emotional at fashion shows. “I always thought it was a bit dramatic but I could literally feel butterflies in my stomach—one of them was in 2011 when Marc Jacobs was at Louis Vuitton. I clearly remember sitting there; the models descended on a white, slow turning carousel and it was just so magical.” 

KACI BEH, 23, MODEL AND STUDENT 

Off the runway, this seasoned model modestly classifies her style as ‘basic’ but few would agree. A quick gander at Beh’s Instagram feed will prove just how chic she is, with her distinct approach to grungy street style. While she gravitates towards white and black colourways, she elevates her looks through accessories, from lace tights and statement belts to luxurious bags, and then some. “My favourite fashion item is this pair of boots by Steven Ma that I wore to set. I love the neon pop of colour on the heel and I also got them at a discount, so I love them even more,” laughs Beh heartily. This might come as a surprise to some but Beh wasn’t born with a keen sense of style. Before she became a  model, dressing up wasn’t in the cards. She only started paying attention to what other models were wearing and how they stood out amongst the crowd in her first Fashion Week stint in Paris, Milan and London. “I learnt to visualise how clothes look on my body and  choose pieces that accentuate my features such as my long legs, which I like to flaunt,” says Beh. And then, there’s her tattoos. Beh wanted a tattoo long before she was a model but chose to put it off because the industry in Singapore frowned upon the artform. When she returned to school, she took the risk and got tatted, fully aware of the jobs she might lose. Fortunately, that was only temporary. “Looking back, I don’t regret any of the choices that I have made. I  am thankful that the industry is more open to tattoos and, now, it is my turn to shine,” says Beh.

JENNIFER BANSE, 42, FOUNDER OF EYE OF THE CAT JEWELLERY

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Style is singular and everyone has their own take on it. Banse is a prime example, sporting strings of necklaces in different lengths, a stack of bracelets and a Cartier watch, and an array of rings on both hands — her style is flamboyant, to say the least. “As a big jewellery person, I like layering, partly to add texture to an outfit,  but also to empower me. Take this necklace that carries three talismans—an enamel peony charm for good fortune, and a Hamsa and Figa hand for protection—that I can’t live without,” says Banse.  What caught our eye on-set was her outre fashion sense—a slouchy white tank, a black lace bra, baggy pants and combat boots, which Banse deemed as minimalist but expressive with a hint of rebellion. Initially, Banse chalked her ensemble up to the mood she was in but it all made sense when she listed her favourite designers: Rick Owens, Rei Kawakubo of Commes des Garçons, Chitose Abe of Sacai, Dries  Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester. She explains: “They are  constantly evolving and each of them has a signature style, which is instantly recognisable, and they stick to it no matter what others think of them.” Banse emphasises that being minimalistic has its benefits. For one, it has helped her make sustainable choices by shopping vintage. “I love the patina of a vintage piece, I love the stories it has and then I get to add my own stories to it as I wear it,” she says. More importantly, her simple but mindful approach to fashion leaves nothing for her to hide behind — she is who she is to the world.

PEARL LEONG, 42, FOUNDER AND CEO AT THE MAVEN NETWORK 

Fashion is ever-changing, and Leong’s style has evolved based on the stage of life she’s at. From focusing on practical and classic pieces when she was in school and during her early days as an entrepreneur, to veering towards dramatic and edgy looks now that she has more free time to travel and pursue her interests outside of work, Leong went through “phases of experimentation and periods  of careful curation.” Understanding her body type and what works for her are key when it comes to her approach to fashion: “I’ve always believed that it’s very important to feel comfortable in your own skin.” While Leong adapts her style according to her mood and  the occasion, one thing’s for certain—she’ll never leave home without accessories. “You will almost never see me out and about  without sunglasses, jewellery and the right bag to complete my ensemble. To me, accessories have the ability to complete or  transform a look.” She often sports pieces from designers who bring bold, creative visions that challenge the norm. “I’ve long admired Rick Owens for his ability to deliver unconventional silhouettes that work, and Virgil Abloh for being one of the most disruptive and innovative voices in the industry. I also love how Alessandro Michele and Demna always deliver bold storytelling on the runway. Their collections never fail to have a strong message that anchors everything together in the most fascinating way,” says Leong, who doesn’t subscribe to the notion of style icons. “I’m a firm believer of developing your own personal style and wearing it confidently.” 

SABRINA MARICAN, 30, CONTENT CREATOR

Captivating Instagram and TikTok audiences with her lively personality, Marican meets Gen Z’s appetite for content that is authentic and aspirational. It’s the same for her style evolution—a reflection of body changes and self-acceptance that’s highly relatable. “My body has changed so much in terms of my size, so it’s been about embracing my body and picking out clothing that accentuate my curves. I’ve had to find colours to match my skin tone, which I didn’t like when I was younger as well.” The rising content creator, who once dressed conservatively, wants to be remembered as someone who’s comfortable with stepping out of her comfort zone. She recalls how her mother’s Chanel brooch sparked her interest in  fashion at a young age: “My dad flew with Singapore Airlines for over 40 years, and every time he flew, he’d buy my mum a bold fashion piece. Once, he got her a Chanel brooch and my mum accessorised with it when she started teaching. Seeing my mother nail the classic, elegant style when she was young made me want to be like her, though I didn’t end up becoming a teacher.” Her fascination with accessories continues today—she cites the belt as  her favourite fashion item. “I feel like big, chunky belts are coming back. A nice gold belt or silver belt can add flavour to your outfit,” says Marican. A proponent of being realistically fashionable, she stresses the importance of spending within her means. “It’s about  what you can afford. If I can push [my budget] a bit, I would, but it must be something I really like.”  

AIM ISEN, 28, MODEL AND CONTENT CREATOR 

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At the age of five, Isen knew she wanted to be a model when she grew up. The Kazakhstani, who is based in Singapore, recalls her first fashion memory—wearing clothes sewn by her mother and striking a pose in front of their family camera. The real style lessons came later in life through her studies and as a  professional model. “Colour combinations come naturally to me  because I studied art for five years and I went to modelling school at 15. The rest of the tips I’ve learnt come from stylists on commercials, fashion shoots and fashion shows,” says Isen. Her prized fashion advice goes hand in hand with her must-have fashion item. “I’m obsessed with shoes and I like heels, even though they aren’t good for your back,” Isen jests. “Shoes just complete the look. It doesn't matter if the outfit is expensive or not, shoes can be easily dressed down or it can elevate your outfit.” Like most international models, Isen’s stay on our sunny island was slated to last only one and a half months but she was grounded inevitably due to the pandemic. But after three years, she finds it a blessing in disguise as she stumbled upon a new career as a content creator. “During the lockdown, clients would send their clothes to me and I would shoot them in my home with my phone. My face started appearing everywhere online  and more jobs rolled in, so I decided to settle down here,” says the statuesque beauty. Looking ahead, Isen is going fully independent—managing herself, a photography studio, and other models, as she hopes to open her own agency soon.

GABRIELLA CHONG, 34, ENTREPRENEUR

The multi-preneur describes her style as effortless, timeless and adventurous. “I’ve become more confident and comfortable with myself,” says Chong, a mother of two who used to go with safer options like flowy maxi dresses. “I take myself less seriously, which shows through the outfits I put together—I don’t mind playing  with cuts, colours and silhouettes now,” she adds. This is perhaps why she’s a huge fan of Ghea Panggabean. “She’s the queen of  bohemian chic. My mum has a lot of pieces from her that are so  unique. I also have her porcelain pieces translated from traditional Indonesian textiles, which I absolutely love,” says Chong. Besides Panggabean, she counts Matthieu Blazy and Miuccia Prada as her  favourite designers. “With Matthieu, it’s still very Bottega—understated yet recognisable—but more wearable. I met him at their fashion show in Shanghai and he’s such a sweet soul. As for Miuccia, I love how visionary she is; she sets the trends and is so inspirational. She’s managed to build this amazing business with her spouse, and I feel like I’ve a bit of that with my husband,” says Chong, whose company brought José Eber hairstyling products to Singapore. She also runs accessories label Ellamar, and together with husband  Gavin, founded Emuna International School and Elova House—child-centred learning organisations with programmes for children who are on the autism spectrum. She owes her love for fashion to her late maternal grandmother and mother, whom she says are the most stylish women she knows.

Photographed by Wee Khim
Creative direction by Windy Aulia
Styled by Gracia Phang
Makeup: Toni Tan using M.A.C and Wee Ming using Dior Beauty 
Hair: Grego using Keune Haircosmetics 
Photographer’s assistant: Ivan Teo 
Stylist’s assistant: Larissa Wong