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Humans Of SG Fashion: Kenneth Chia On Finding Creative Synergy

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Beauty

Humans Of SG Fashion: Kenneth Chia On Finding Creative Synergy

In this series of features from our August edition, 14 local industry insiders from across disciplines share their observations of and aspirations for style on this little red dot. Here, hair and makeup artist Kenneth Chia talks using social media to find creative collaborators, his “untrained eye” approach to makeup and keeping an eye out for next-gen talents.

by Gordon Ng  /   August 29, 2021
kenneth chia

Although Kenneth Chia is one of the industry’s emerging makeup and hair artistry talents, it might surprise you to know that the 27-year-old has his roots as a trained actor and theatre practitioner. Chia, who says he’s always had an interest in fashion imagery, got into the business from a combination of encouragement and happenstance.

Creative burnout from acting and writing, as well as friends and colleagues from the theatre and film production world pushed him into his earliest opportunities. “I was trained on-set and thrown into the deep end at the beginning. I didn’t have a sense then of the makeup schools or the industry because, as an actor, I was working on a different side of things” describes Chia of his start.

In a swift three years, Chia has gone from “impromptu hotel party mascara fixer” (his words) to a makeup artist who’s worked with the likes of Narelle Kheng and Iman Fandi. His conceptual eye and confident hand have made him a fixture on the local fashion and beauty scene. Here, he lets us in on how he taps on connection in his work.

kenneth chia
Credit:Photo: Li Wanjie

Makeup artist and hair stylist Kenneth Chia, also known as @kenmuu on Instagram

What’s your take on Singapore’s fashion identity today?

“It’s diverse and exciting.”

What’s the first word that comes to mind when we mention Singapore fashion?

“Going somewhere good, but it’s not quite there yet.”

What’s one defining memory of Singapore fashion for you?

“The SIA girl. I love glamour, and it’s always been such an enduring fashion image to me. They’ve always looked so glamorous and aspirational – not just the job, but the sense of unattainable poise when they walk past you.”

kenneth chia
Credit:Telescope Studios

Iman Fandi photographed with makeup by Kenneth Chia

Favourite Singapore fashion label?

“I’m excited about Putri Adif and Samuel Xun’s work. We’ve missed that energy, and Singapore clothes always seem geared towards practicality. There’s a side of me that wishes for extra clothes – I want the vision of the designer to be unapologetically out there.”

Is Singapore a fashion city?

“Insofar as we have a distinct dress code of practicality and dressing for the humidity – that’s fashion too.”

What can we do to make it better?

“Less hand wringing – let’s just do it, just go for it!”

Complete this sentence: In future, I hope that in Singapore fashion…

“Is a space for everyone.”


Related Articles

Humans Of SG Fashion: Emerging Designer Grace Ling Dabbles In The “Primitive Chic”

Humans Of SG Fashion: Tan Eng Chong On Developing An Idiosyncratic Fashion Identity

Humans of SG Fashion: Anna Dutoit On The Modelling Industry

https://www.femalemag.com.sg/gallery/beauty/humans-of-sg-fashion-kenneth-chia-makeup-artist-hair-stylist/
Humans Of SG Fashion: Kenneth Chia On Finding Creative Synergy
ON THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENTS IN FASHION
image

“I’m so happy that there’s a resurgence of young designers such as Putri Adif and Samuel Xun who are doing exciting work, and I wish that people would stop pretending that the energy isn’t there. It takes effort to look for and connect to it, but that motivation comes from wanting to help build the next generation.”

Yongbin/7Guai Studio
ON REACHING OUT THROUGH DMs
image

“I see social media as a platform that allows such talents to see what I can bring to their creative process and I believe in the importance of reaching out to them; multiple times if need be. It’s always exciting when someone sees eye-to-eye with you creatively and test shoots are great for finding that synergy and signalling my perspective on beauty.”

Nydia Hartono
ON HIS CREATIVE APPROACH
image

“There’s a Terry Barber quote about aspiring to have a trained eye with an untrained hand. That’s my approach. It’s important to learn the rules, but have a healthy love for breaking them. It’s not just about wanting a seat at the table, but knowing what to say when you’re at the table.”

A version of this article first appeared in the August 2021 The Great SG Fashion Book edition of FEMALE

Zantz Han
  • TAGS:
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  • kenneth chia
  • makeup artist
  • Singapore fashion
  • singapore makeup artist
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