With the rise of social media and smart phones, celebrities have to look impeccable whether gracing the red carpet or off-duty. Every outfit is carefully curated because when done right, a well-placed accessory or unexpected colour and print can launch an overnight trend.
In fact, we’ve witnessed several Singapore designers propelled into the international spotlight with Hollywood heavyweights representing these labels in the celebrity style scene. Take for example Adam Lambert wearing Depression, Kerry Washington in Charles & Keith as well as Mick Jagger all decked out by Lisa Von Tang. Other rising Singapore fashion designers and industry headliners include Ong Shunmugam, Reckless Ericka, Carrie K, Stolen, and many more.
If you’re looking for style inspo on how to stand out in a crowd like a bona fide star, we’ve got you sorted. From Lisa of Blackpink to style influencer Irene Kim to the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, these three women are some of the most stylish names in the world right now, each with her own distinctive style.
Ahead, we show you how to shop their style with some of our favourite homegrown labels.
Thai rapper Lisa Manoban is part of the phenomenal K-pop girl group Blackpink. Young and sassy, she is fast becoming one of the world’s most-watched style mavens. Whether it’s a pair of understated indigo jeans or a full-blown printed cardigan, Lisa manages to look fresh and girlie at the same time.
To emulate Lisa’s style, this cropped camisole from homegrown label Love, Bonito is the perfect addition to your wardrobe. Featuring a clean, simple neckline design, it goes with almost everything in your closet. Throw over a cardigan if the weather gets a little chilly or wear it under a sheer dress for that peek-a-boo effect.
More than just a fashion e-commerce site tailored for Asian shoppers, Love, Bonito also wants to empower women with their clothes because they believe that “well-made and well-fitted clothes have the power to inspire confidence without burning a hole in your pocket.”
Furthermore, Love, Bonito doesn’t fit their creations on static mannequins; their design ethos is to make clothes “for real women, by real women, doing real things in real life.”
During this pandemic, Love, Bonito also has safety precautions in place when customers shop at the brick-and-mortar space — the store is disinfected every hour and brand new pieces are presented to customers when their purchases are finalised. That’s not all. All returns to Love, Bonito will be held and disinfected for 1 day before returning to the floor.
Wide Leg Chambray Trousers, $109, Beyond the Vines
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This pair of trousers — made from lightweight chambray — by Beyond The Vines is a classic design that will never go out of fashion. The versatile style (like Lisa’s) makes it a worthwhile investment that will see you through the years ahead.
Founded in 2015 by husband-and-wife duo Daniel Chew and Rebecca Ting, Beyond The Vines’ design philosophy is focused on duality – create boldly, design simply. It recently opened up a 2,216 sq ft concept store at Ngee Ann City, adding on a new menswear line to its offerings.
If you’re looking to add splashes of colour into your closet, Minor Miracles is the place to be at. This local label specialises in producing clothes and accessories with bold original patterns, just like this printed coat.
Made out of polyester, this gorgeous piece features a relaxed silhouette with adjustable strings at the waist and sleeves. The best part? No two pieces are alike — even though the coats are cut from the same roll of fabric, each piece is different because of the unique print placement.
Founder Dawn Bey and her team design and pattern make by hand as well as sew samples in-house; this allows the team to grow in its craft of pattern and clothes making.
Every stylish women needs a pair of classic black laced-up loafers, just like these from Anothersole. Stylish, comfortable and affordable, they can be worn with practically everything you own. Made using premium leathers from the world’s finest tanneries, these luxurious footwear also come in 15 other colours such as brick, taro and burgundy.
Besides offering affordable footwear using the finest materials, this homegrown brand also wants to do social good with its #buy1feed1 campaign, an initiative that donates 10 per cent of its profits to feed hungry children, build sustainable communities and support their future.
Colour Me In Black Ring R28, $320, Marilyn Tan Jewellery
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An outfit is never complete without a statement ring. Fashioned from a black rhodium-plated 925 silver body and bedazzled with ruby crystals, this bold accoutrement from Marilyn Tan Jewellery is the perfect way to add that subtle pop into your ensemble. The ring comes in three other precious stones, namely emerald, amethyst and citrine.
Established in 1995, this eponymous label specialises in creating jewellery pieces that are unique and timeless. Using exquisite gemstones, all of Marilyn Tan Jewellery pieces highlight designer Marilyn Tan’s fine eye for detail.
Model, TV personality and social media superstar Irene Kim is not afraid to try new things. From her technicolour hair to bold fashion choices, Kim has always stayed ahead of the style curve. Take for example this simple black-and-white ensemble. Kim manages to turn it up several notches by pairing a simple white turtleneck with a glossy black leather jacket. How chic is that?
This elevated version of a white T-shirt is by GINLEE Studio, a local fashion label founded in 2011 by designers Gin Lee & Tamir Niv. Instead of the usual round collar, the chevron collar detail adds an elegant touch to the otherwise normal T-shirt, plus the boxy cut falls beautifully on your body.
GINLEE Studio’s clothes are made to flatter every body type because they understand that “good design should be accessible to everyone.” Most importantly, the GINLEE woman feels comfortable in her own skin wearing it, which is why the garments are put through a little “dance test” before they’re launched.
As part of the label’s effort to eliminate waste, Get-Order-On-Demand (GOOD) was launched. Instead of markdowns at the end of every season to clear stocks, GINLEE Studio wants to monitor the demand of the items using data for analysis. What this means is, the brand is able to make accurate inventory planning decision, which effectively reduces excess inventories and waste.
The designers strive to “strike a balance between being creative and commercially viable. ” With GOOD, it’s a great testing ground for the designs put out so that the designers can “innovate and produce better.”
This blazer from Stolen is everything the label represents — giving classic pieces an unexpected twist. Featuring a cut-out back, as well as geometric seaming at the lapels, this is a stunning fashion-forward piece that you should add to your collection.
Founded in 2007 by Elyn Wong, Stolen is a local womenswear label that has won multiple accolades — it was the winner for CFDA’s Fashion Futures 2.0 Programme and the Designer of the Year for Zalora Style Awards 2018. Elyn says: “I was very clear right from the start that Stolen will not be a conventional fashion brand.” Stolen also prides itself on collaborative art installations and creative partnerships with non-fashion brands such as the notable art project with Villeroy & Boch, a family-owned European tile company, for Wallpaper* Handmade 2018.
Deep Pleat Structured Trousers, $159, rye at Boutique Fairs
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Singapore-based womenswear label rye focuses on producing timeless pieces that you can wear for a long time, like this pair of black pants. Made from a smooth cotton material, this piece has a mid-waist cocoon shape that tapers slightly at the ankles for that added sophistication. Wear it casually with a white T-shirt, or dress it up with a fancy off-shoulder blouse.
rye’s products are made with natural fibres and upcycled materials. To ensure longevity, they undergo high standards of quality control. As part of their sustainability efforts, rye uses 100% recycled or compostable materials for its shipping mailers. All orders are shipped with recyclable brown kraft paper, minus a polybag.
Forget about stilettos and rock a pair of heeled boots instead. These showstoppers from homegrown brand Charles & Keith will help give you the illusion of longer legs and add extra oomph to your ensemble.
This freshwater pearl necklace by local jewellery label Carrie K. features 10 to 10.55mm black pearls that have a cool bronze tint to it, complete with a unique 9K gold Duo – an interchangeable clasp that can change the way you wear these pearls. It’s a fun way to spice up a sophisticated midi number or a casual white shirt dress.
All of Carrie K.’s creations can be transformed from simple everyday wear to statement pieces with the help of its detachable Duo clips.
If you want something made specially for you or a loved one, Carrie K also has a bespoke service for that special occasion.
Carolyn Kan, founder of the label also launched an initiative — Pearls of Society — where a small percentage of every pearl necklace sold is donated to help single mums, a programme under Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE).
Always elegant and immaculate, The Duchess of Cambridge is never seen with a hair out of place. From makeup to accessories to clothes, hers is a classic style that’s most befitting for royalty. What we love about this printed long-sleeved number is the clean silhouette. Complemented with a pair of neutral espadrille wedges and delicate earrings, Kate exudes poise and ladylike sophistication.
Courtyard Gathered Midi Dress, $129, Our Second Nature
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This printed midi dress with its puff sleeve details and round neckline is a beautiful alternative to Kate Middleton’s long summer frock. Made of cotton, it’s perfect for Singapore’s weather.
Lauren Tan and Velda Tan launched Our Second Nature in 2017, and the brand’s focus is on producing comfortable, everyday wear inspired by the “highs and lows of everyday life.”
This Singapore label creates a unique print for every collection it launches, which then sets the tone for each debut. It also has a subsidiary line called Our Mini Nature that focuses on clothes for girls between ages 1 and 8.
These tan espadrille wedges from Pazzion are a great way to add height to your ensemble. The neutral hue means you can wear them with almost anything — from floral summer dresses to T-shirt-and-shorts combo. Perfect for Sunday brunch or a stroll in the city.
Vintage Sparkle Stud Earrings, $92.84, Eden + Elie
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These earrings from Eden + Elie feature a 22k gold-plated body, handwoven 24k gold-plated seed beads and a champagne-coloured Swarovski crystal as its focal point. Simple yet elegant, they add a subtle sparkle to your face and outfit.
Established in 2015, Eden + Elie (named after the founder’s two children) creates beautiful functional jewellery that focuses on hand-weaving technique. This homegrown brand is also committed to sourcing only from suppliers who are reputable and ethical. The best part? All the jewellery are made in Singapore.
Lamb Leather Bubble Clutch, $446, Ling Wu at KrisShop
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A neutral coloured purse goes with everything, just like this beautiful clutch from Ling Wu. Buttery-soft with gathers at the neck to create a pillowy look, this is an investment-worthy piece that will take you from day to night effortlessly.
A fedora not only protects you from the harmful UV rays, it also adds a touch of flair to your outfit. Fashioned from straw, this fedora – also available in black and white – comes with ribbon ties hidden inside so that you can adjust the fit accordingly. Take this piece out for a spin when you’re off to the beach club, or strolling at a park.
The Missing Piece’s primary objective is to create garments that are stylish and comfortable, which is why all the clothes are made from soft and breathable fabrics — perfect for Singapore’s balmy weather.
This homegrown Singapore business also believes in helping the less fortunate. In 2019, it pledged $40,000 to World Vision and partnered the agency to help young preschoolers in Minh Long have access to clean drinking water and washing facilities via the Water and Health for Life Programme. As of August this year, this initiative has provided water filtration and hand washing systems as well as 10 drinking water fountains across seven kindergartens in Minh Long. As such, 1,152 children have been able to protect themselves against COVID-19 while they attend school.
