BAZAAR Most Stylish Women 2021

How would you describe your style?

I’d say it’s classic and elegant, with a touch of masculinity. I’m generally drawn to more structured pieces, such as a blazer with strong shoulders or a well-cut dress.

Who is your favourite designer?

I think Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière is in a league of his own with his forward-thinking collections and modernistic touch. I’m obsessed with the cosmic-print, flounce-sleeved coat I wore for the shoot—it’s truly a statement piece with a playful nod to the House’s travel identity, both past and future.

What are some of your fashion go-tos?

For me, watches and gold jewellery are modern classics. Whether it’s pairing a yellow gold Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra pendant with vintage malachite hoop earrings, or stacking multiple Tiffany & Co. bracelets and rings, I find that they instantly add an element of finesse to any outfit.

What is the most treasured piece in your wardrobe?

A watch from my husband when we got engaged, to commemorate our time spent together.




Coat; boot, Louis Vuitton. Rings, Ong’s own

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What made you fall in love with fashion?

It was something that was always around me. Ever since I was little, I’ve liked dressing up. I always saw my grandmother matching her outfits to my grandad’s—down to her tudung and handbag—which I found very interesting. My dad also loves fashion—he’d always talk to me about his favourite designers, one of whom is Jean Paul Gaultier, who is also one of mine now.

What draws you to certain pieces or looks?

I think it’s a sense of history or storytelling. When I was younger, my approach to fashion was very random—like, oh, this is cute. Now that I’m older, I understand more about the thought process of the designer and that’s what I appreciate more, rather than trends or things like that. When you talk about a designer, it’s about something that they do well and so you want to have that in your closet. That’s where my thrifting and vintage shopping come in. I also like my style to tie back to my culture, so I bring elements of batik, kebaya and gold accessories into my dressing.

Which designers and brands do you love?

[Jean Paul] Gaultier because there’s something about the 1990s aesthetic that I really love—it’s camp, but not really. I love Vivienne Westwood because she’s a rebel. As a designer, I want to be that provocative as well, making statements and talking about issues that other people don’t. I love Mugler and John Galliano, again because of that ’90s aesthetic. A newer designer that I love is Charlotte Knowles; I feel that she’s someone who’s reinventing things and pushing boundaries.

Vest, H&M. Skirt; earrings; necklaces; gloves; rings; boots, Adif’s own

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How would you describe your style?

Similar to the architecture and design that I like, I find myself gravitating towards pieces that are more architectural and sculptural. I’m a huge fan of the Modernist movement in architecture, where everything is very streamlined, very much designed for utility but still with an aesthetic beauty to it. That influences my fashion preferences;
I like things that are understated and timeless, with unexpected details.

Who is your favourite designer?

Phoebe Philo. I admired her work a lot when she was at Céline. I think she was really tuned in to the female energy and she really empowered women through fashion.

What is your go-to item of clothing?

As cliché as it might sound, it’s the little black dress. It’s something that’s simple, classy, timeless and understated. My friends ask me why I keep buying the same black dresses, but every black dress comes with a different cut and details. The ultimate LBD for me would be one from Saint Laurent.

Is there anything you collect?

I love collecting vintage pieces. They have so much character—even if they’re all beat up and worn out, there are all these stories to them. The vintage Chanel boots I brought for this shoot are probably one of my most treasured archival pieces.




Dress; earrings; rings; boots, Foo’s own

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How would you describe your style?

I always go for the classics—simpler things but with really good texture; pieces that I can mix and match with a lot of looks, and that I can use for a very long time without them being outdated. When I’m picking an outfit, I try to find a balance; I want to look stylish but not like I’m trying too hard.

Who are your favourite designers?

Phoebe Philo, Raf Simons and Jil Sander. Their pieces are stylish and classy but never too try-hard—when you look at their collections, there are always one or two elements that are very eye-catching, but nothing super loud or with too many things going on. In the past couple of years, I’ve also been more into Chinese designers. I love Samuel Gui Yang. His clothes are very cool and have some Chinese elements, such as qipao details, for example, but the cut is always very interesting and feminine.

What is something you would never wear?

An outfit that shows a lot of skin. And it’s not because it’s too sexy—I think you don’t have to show a lot of skin to be sexy. I’m OK with looking sexy but not with exposing too much. I like Karen Mok’s kind of sexy—it’s very effortless.




Blazer, H&M. Skirt; Bottega Veneta. Earrings, Yao’s own

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How would you describe your style?

The first things that catch my eye are colour and cut. I love boxy pieces because they’re comfortable, and neutral tones because they’re easy on the eye. The suit I’m wearing is custom made by a menswear tailor. Because I’m not very tall but I like things to fit my body well, I love having the option of customising my own suits, jackets and trousers.

Who are some of your favourite designers?

Emilia Wickstead and Carolina Herrera. I like that their pieces are very structured—they’re not the most sexy designers, but they’re very elegant. And I like that very English sensibility of Wickstead.

What is your go-to item of clothing?

A button-down shirt. I like Jil Sander shirts, but for a casual day, Uniqlo and COS do really good shirts too. And now, I also customise my own shirts.

What is the most treasured item in your closet?

My classic Chanel black tweed jacket.

What is the one thing you would never wear?

Low-rise denims.




Custom blazer and matching trousers; bralet; earrings; bracelet; ring; watch, L’s own

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What made you fall in love with fashion?

It was when I discovered the works of Alexander McQueen and Franca Sozzani—seeing how controversial they were and the way their work changed not only fashion, but the way one thinks about and views things in life.

Tell us more about your work.

My beadwork pieces are my take on how to make a man or a woman or anybody feel sexy and confident. From there, I also developed a sub line of necklaces and bracelets as an entry point into the aesthetic.

How would you describe your style?

I like the idea of revealing and concealing—you hide some skin, you show some; maybe with lace or something sheer. I think there’s something very sexy about that and it makes me feel confident. I think my style is very much inspired by Carine Roitfeld—the way she wears her skirts with stockings and heels, or how she’d wear a blazer over a sheer top. I like that very sexy, French vibe.

Which designer do you love?

I love what Casey Cadwallader is doing at Mugler. I think he does sexy very well. Bella Hadid in a bodysuit? I find that very hot.




Corset; dress; earrings, Chong’s own

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How would you describe your style?

I think a lot of Singaporeans feel that because we’re in a very small place, we need to fit in. But I’ve realised that what I wear is a way of communicating who I am, so I like dressing up in strong colours, bold prints and textures. The biggest style rule for me is to dress in what I feel comfortable in. I know there are certain things I don’t do well with, like the whole oversize streetwear look, so I just stay away from that.

How has your style evolved over the years?

I’ve actually become more daring! You’d think that one becomes more conservative as one gets older, but I’m more daring in the sense that I’ve been there, done that—I know what works and what doesn’t. If I want to wear a certain colour, I will jolly well wear it because I feel like it and it makes me feel great.

What is a go-to item of clothing for you?

Definitely a statement jacket. Even if you’re in a shitty t-shirt and jeans, you put on a jacket and it just changes the whole look. It could be a great denim jacket—I love the London-based brand Mother of Pearl because I think the combination of pearls and denim is really interesting. I also love oversize jackets in bold colours and prints.




Top; skirt; trousers; earring; heels, Dahlia’s own

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What made you fall in love with fashion?

Definitely the movies. I have a huge love for Bollywood and the opulence of Indian heritage and culture.

How would you describe your style?

I play a lot with colour, so that’s definitely a must-have, along with texture and volume. I like things that stand out, things that are a lot more designed or with an intricacy to
them—I don’t like things that are very mass or commonly available. I love balloon silhouettes, so balloon sleeves and dresses. Because I’m very petite, things that create a lot of volume and texture make me feel more empowered; I feel a lot bigger.

What look do you feel most powerful in?

When I wear my Indian jewellery with a modern piece—I like to create a fusion look that mixes the East and the West.

Which designers and brands do you love?

I like Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi [Mukherjee], Anita Dongre and Ritu Kumar. I also like Dior a lot. I look up to Sabyasachi for his rich textile craft and for embodying the whole Indian heritage. Dongre speaks to my more feminine, playful side. Malhotra and Kumar capture the grandeur of Indian culture very well, but their pieces are difficult to assemble into a daily outfit, so I bridge that by wearing them with more modern ones. And Dior has always been my favourite brand.

What is the most treasured piece in your collection?

All of my jewellery. Most of them have stories behind them because a lot of them came from my grandmother. She moved to Singapore from Gujarat shortly after giving birth to my mum and my aunt, and she carried these pieces here in a little silver trunk. Even now, I have to open the trunk to get the jewellery and that’s really sentimental to me.

Top, H&M. Trousers, Longchamp. Necklace; bracelet, Lopez’s own

How would you describe your style?

I’d say I’m bold in small, little ways, but I like to keep most of my outfit kind of clean and minimal. T-shirts are my staple; I have a lot of black and white tees that I know fit me well, and when I want to add a little more flair or femininity, I tie a little scarf on or chuck on a huge accessory. I’m very big on accessorising—scarves are a favourite because you can be cool and chic at the same time. I’m half French, so I think that’s the French side coming out—scarves were something I saw my mum accessorising with a lot when I was younger. Growing up, I also really admired French women who could put on a crisp white shirt, jeans, a really nice necklace and walk out of the house looking like a million bucks. That’s something that resonates with me even now—simple pieces but very well put together.

What’s a look you feel most powerful in?

I love a good, sexy, powerful trench coat. I know it’s something we don’t get to wear in Singapore, but I love when you wear a trench coat and cinch the waist really nicely.

What is the most treasured item in your wardrobe?

The vintage Chanel jewellery passed down from my mum.

Would you say that your mum has been a huge style influence?

Yes. When I was a teen, I was that girl who [always] wore midriff tees and jeans, and one day, my mum was like, you’re so boring, go and play a bit. That’s when I started experimenting with fashion. She’s super cool—she can be super tomboyish in head-to-toe G Star one day and [ultra feminine] in a long, flowy Missoni dress the next. Now, her hair is orange; last year, it was purple. She’s very daring when it comes to fashion and I hope to be like her one day.




Shirt; trousers, Fendi. Earrings; bracelet; rings, Mei’s own

How would you describe your style?

Structured and largely coordinated. Maybe because I’ve always had slightly unkempt hair, I’ve subconsciously compensated for it by making sure that my dressing is structured and sharp.

Do you have a style philosophy?

The older I get, the fewer rules I observe because ultimately, style is a personal choice that shouldn’t be governed by too many restrictions. The only philosophy I subscribe to these days is to dress appropriately for my age. There comes a time in a woman’s life where crotch-skimming skirts should be laid to rest.

Which designers and brands do you love?

I’ve always veered towards Italian designers and brands. They have a sense of passion and an energy that’s sexy. I’ve loved Gucci since the Tom Ford era. Etro has the most special oriental-motif silk prints that I’ve loved for years. Prada and Fendi are amazing because these brands consider luxury and fashion as larger projects that go beyond making shoes and bags.

What’s a look you feel most powerful in?

Definitely a coordinated suit. The cut can be louche, the bottoms can be culottes, but if everything is coordinated, I feel well put together and therefore powerful.

Do you have a style icon?

Strangely, a lot of the people who inspire me are men. The style of the late Gianni Agnelli is inimitable—his style had a calculated carelessness that’s so hard to achieve. His grandson Lapo Elkann is another man I admire, for his looks that are often classic with a touch of wild. Tom Ford and Hidetoshi Nakata are two others—even when they’re dressed down, like at the airport, for example, they look sharp.




Blazer; shorts, Fendi. Necklaces; rings; watch, Ng’s own

Makeup: Toni Tan and Shirley Lee using M.A.C; Jyue Huey Low for Willabelle Ong
Hair: Grego using Keune
Stylists’ assistant: Nadia Lim