If you’ve been keeping up with our previous editions of this column, you’ve probably noticed our love for designer bags. In our November instalment, this adoration for striking bag styles shines through as we turn our spotlight on the fashionable individuals gracing the streets. Among the notable sightings are Simone Rocha’s iconic Egg wonder, the viral Chanel nano top-handle bag, and a colossal ‘Sculpture’ paper bag-inspired creation, part of the late Virgil Abloh‘s popular collaboration with Ikea. It’s important to note that bags, whether designer or not, consistently serve as a captivating canvas for showcasing personal style. Case in point, a 23-year-old art student we encountered aspires to own a spiky backpack and explains: “Backpacks are my go-to; they hold all my essentials without weight concerns. Plus, personal space is precious, so a spiky backpack is an ideal solution, potentially a DIY project in the making.” Scroll on for a look.
Name: Parveen Hassanbhai
Age: 35
Occupation: Public relations manager
Her fit: “I’m wearing a full Simone Rocha outfit, from my Egg bag to my pearl-embellished shirt. I’ve also got on my Miu Miu shoes. My accessories include a Cartier Love bracelet and my mum’s Mikimoto ring.”
Her regrettable fashion era: “When I was very young, I used to wear long shirts, tights, and sneakers, more than 10 years ago. I mean… that was probably considered cool back then, I think. But currently, I’m very content and comfortable with everything I wear.”
How her style has evolved: “I’ve become more selective about what I wear. I make sure that I can wear my pieces more than once. If it’s something I’m going to invest in, I need to truly enjoy the brand; otherwise, I won’t buy it just for the sake of following a trend.”
Name: Fu Zu Huang Wu
Age: 75
Occupation: Retiree
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “I purchased my top and pants in Taiwan. My crossbody bag is the Personal Case from Rimowa, and my smaller handbag was bought at a subway station in Taiwan. The shoes are from Chanel.”
What she does in her free time: “Shopping. I enjoy shopping everywhere, from train stations to shopping malls. You have to find something to do every day to keep your mood up.”
A fashion tip: “Don’t be afraid to explore new things.”
Name: Lukas Lee
Age: 23
Occupation: He describes himself as a “stay-home son”
Spotted at: Orchard Road
His fit: “I’m wearing a Balmain top, carrying an Hermes bag, and wearing an Hermes bracelet. My pants are from Taobao, and the belt belongs to my brother. On my feet, I have Balenciaga shoes. Unfortunately, I can’t remember where my shades are from.”
His favourite labels: “For bags, my preferences lean towards Hermes and Chanel because they signify both status and quality. They are also considered an investment, and to me, even better than gold. As for other items like clothes, I don’t have a specific brand preference. If it’s beautiful, I’m going to get it.”
His best purchase to date: “My Dior plates. They have the perfect shade. I had initially gone to Ikea to find blue plates, but they were sold out and not going to be restocked. When I walked into Dior and saw the plates, I thought, ‘Those are the plates I’ve been looking for!'”
Name: Dian Harianna
Age: 24
Occupation: Creative visual merchandiser
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “I’m wearing an oversized blazer from Bershka, and my dress is from a Japanese brand, Lowry’s Farm. My shoes are from Dr. Martens, which I bought in Japan. My bag is from Celine, my accessories are from Tiffany & Co, and the standout feature of today’s outfit is my Apple Airpods Max headphones.”
Her wardrobe staple: “It’s an oversized blazer. It elevates any outfit, whether you’re wearing a T-shirt with jeans or biker shorts. If you throw on a blazer, you’ll look very chic. Most of my blazers are vintage; I buy them from Carousell or thrift stores. Another tip is to purchase from the men’s section.”
Her dream bag: “A mini Hermes Kelly bag; it’s such a chic and timeless accessory.”
Name: Nguyen Yen Nhi
Age: 25
Occupation: Food stylist
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “My jersey, skirt, and cap are from the Vietnamese brand Stressmama. My bag is from Balenciaga, my sunglasses are from Gentle Monster, and my bracelet is from Pandora. I’m wearing Adidas Samba shoes.””
Her favourite labels: “Balenciaga. I also like Stressmama from Vietnam (where she is from). It is a brand that I think produces comfortable clothes, and most of their items are unisex, making them suitable for both men and women.”
Her fashion icons: “I admire @irisloveunicorns and @sofiamcoelho on Instagram. They embody the exact fashion style I aspire to achieve. Their Y2K aesthetic strikes a perfect balance between vintage and modern, and they serve as a great source of inspiration for me.”
Name: Bryan Tan
Age: 29
Occupation: Works in the medical device industry
Spotted at: Orchard Road
His fit: “The top is thrifted from a shop in Paris. The pants are by Loewe, the shoes are from Onitsuka Tiger, and my bag is the Andiamo bag from Bottega Veneta.”
Brands he will splurge if he has an unlimited budget: “I would buy many items from Japanese designers such as Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake. I have a strong affinity for these two designers because of their androgynous and unique styles, which deviate from the typical fashion often seen on the streets.”
A favourite item he’s wearing: “My Cartier Tank watch, a graduation gift from my dad. Its classic design makes it easy to match with anything.”
Name: Ashley Tan
Age: 19
Occupation: Counselling student
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “My jacket is from Gamble Worldwide, a Vietnamese brand. My top is from a Malaysian brand, Padini. My skirt is from Shopee, and my belt is from my mum’s closet. My bag is a vintage Christian Dior Saddle bag, and, lastly, my heels are from Charles & Keith.”
Her shopping habit: “I tend to follow trends more, so whatever I see on TikTok or Instagram piques my interest, and I delve into researching the brands. When I travel to a new country, I enjoy exploring their local brands. I particularly like shopping from a Korean brand called Nerdy (@nerdyofficial). Originally a sportswear brand, it now offers trendy clothing and bags that are popular in Korea.”
Her current fixation: “I’m currently in love with anything silver. I recently purchased a silver bag from (Korean label) Carlyn, and I would love to buy a silver leather jacket next.”
Name: Moira Giorgi
Age: 30
Occupation: She works in building and construction
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “I’m wearing a set designed by a friend of mine, Alicie, which is sold in a boutique in Portofino. My bag is from Chanel, and my sandals are from Hermes, while my sunglasses are from Cartier.”
Difference between the fashion scene in Italy – where she is from – and Singapore: “In Singapore, you can easily find famous fashion houses on the streets, but in Italy, you’ll discover more boutiques selling handmade and custom/bespoke pieces.”
On whether Italians dress better: “You can find very fashionable people in Italy. However, it also depends; you can’t necessarily see well-dressed people everywhere in the country.”
Name: Raine Chua
Age: 21
Occupation: Psychology student
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “I got my top from Zara; it was on sale. I believe my skirt is from Taobao, my shoes are from Asos, and my socks are also from Taobao. My bag is from Louis Vuitton; it’s actually my mum’s, and my necklace is from Dior.”
A dream brand she will splurge on: “Chanel. I want everything from its store. If I had an unlimited budget or won the lottery, I’d go to Chanel. There’s a bag from their Spring Summer 2022 collection that looks very casual and makes me feel like a rich mum.”
Her favourite brand: “Currently, it would be House of CB, a UK womenswear brand. Its clothing cinches your waist very effectively, creating the illusion of a natural hourglass body shape, even if you don’t actually have one.”
Name: La’Keysha Lee
Age: 21
Occupation: Student and owner of braids brand @__bossbraids
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “My bandana is from H&M; it really helps hold my braids in place. My top and pants came in a set from Shein – I wish I could provide a more unique source, but it’s really cute and airy. My bracelet is a gold piece I received as a gift. My shades are from Prada, and the bag I’m carrying is my mum’s, which is from Saint Laurent. My shoes are also from Shein – baddie on a budget. Lastly, my earrings are from XVIXX.”
What her business is about: “I began my braiding business due to the challenges I faced as a Blasian (Black and Asian) individual. Growing up as a Blasian in Singapore was quite tough because I experienced a lot of bullying due to my hair, as I didn’t know how to manage it. So, I started this business as a way to heal my inner child and to share my culture with everyone. Fortunately, the response has been incredibly positive.”
The most precious item she owns: “The gold bracelet I’m wearing was a gift from my grandpa on my 21st birthday.”
Name: Madeleine Chandra
Age: 23
Occupation: Student
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “I’m wearing a top from the Indonesian label Saje Studios, jeans from the Korean label Musinsa, Crocs shoes, and carrying a Chanel ‘mini Kelly’ bag.”
Her personal style: “I’d say that my style is a mix of casual and cute. One of the most important things for me when choosing what to wear is comfort. I also try to coordinate my outfit with how I style my hair and the type of makeup I wear on that day.”
Her fashion icons: “Heart Evangelista, along with many other Asian celebrities and a plethora of Korean bloggers, consistently showcases the best fashion looks.”
Name: Uchi Kor
Age: 36
Occupation: Interior designer
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “The top is from Taobao, the pants are from ASOS, and the shoes are from Ash.”
On whether she dresses up all the time: “Due to my occupation, I definitely need to be more fashionable. Sometimes customers even think that I’m a hairstylist. I have to dress more stylishly to instil confidence in them.”
Where she shops: “I typically shop online, and it seems that nowadays, most young people opt for online shopping. I visit various websites such as Asos and Farfetch to gather fashion inspiration. Additionally, I take cues from influencers to enhance my fashion sense.”
Name: Valerie Li
Age: 23
Occupation: Marketing Intern
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “I’m wearing a basic white T-shirt from & Other Stories. My pants are from the Uniqlo U series, and my shoes are the Loewe Ballet Runner sneakers. My bag is an MM6 from Maison Margiela, which serves as my work bag and can hold quite a lot; I got it at a discount! The watch is a Cartier that my mum gifted me for my 23rd birthday.”
Where she likes to shop: “I do a lot of shopping at Cos, which makes up half of my wardrobe. They offer classic and timeless pieces with good quality. As for other brands, I enjoy Stussy and designer brands.”
An interesting fact about her: “I practise boxing. I was experiencing a lot of stress due to schoolwork, internship hunting, and a full-time job search. I needed something to help me blow off steam, and I found boxing to be very helpful in that regard.”
Name: Kent Phang
Age: 34
Occupation: Partner and director of creative agency NPlusC
Spotted at: Orchard Road
His fit: “I’m wearing a complete Issey Miyake look, from my top to my pants. I purchased my jacket in China. I have my Prada bag and am wearing Air Max 720 Slip OBJJ shoes. I also have a Bulgari Save the Children ring and a necklace from a shop in Jakarta.”
Best place to shop: “I recently visited Tokyo, and I really, really like Ginza. I went there on a trip with my business partners. I believe the city has the best designs and fashion options that cater to Asians in terms of sizing.”
His best purchase: “I’m a devoted Issey Miyake fan. Everything I’ve purchased from the brand is my go-to choice.”
Name: Ning Zhuang Ten
Age: 24
Occupation: Owner of clothing label Aphy
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “This top is thrifted from Bangkok, the skirt is from Minga London, and the boots are from H&M. The belt is thrifted from Bangsue Junction, and I believe it’s from Agnes B. I’m also carrying my trusty Telfar bag. As for my necklaces, they are from various Singaporean brands, including Affirmation Club and Plop Apparels. The other one is handmade by a lovely elderly lady who was selling her creations; I saw it and thought, ‘I want it, give it to me!’ My watch is by Tissot, and my rings are from curated vintage store Styledcxo, By Invite Only, and a London brand called Chained & Able.”
Her favourite label: “As a fashion girly, I must say that I support my own brand, Aphy. It began around two years ago, primarily as an activewear brand. However, we’re currently rebranding, and transitioning into everyday wear. In our upcoming releases, you can expect to find cute items like dresses, tops, and jorts. In terms of the aesthetic, I’d describe it as a blend of various styles. I started this venture with my sister, and her style differs significantly from mine. So, you can expect a mix of cute girl, soft girl, and even edgy Y2K aesthetics. There’s something for everyone.”
Regrettable fashion era: “There are quite a few, actually. I used to be the ‘black skinny jeans’ girl back in the day when I was in my concert era, like Panic! At The Disco, and I was into the emo style. I loved wearing black skinny jeans at the time. But those days are gone; now, I’m all about baggy jeans, and you can’t even see my butt anymore.”
Name: He prefers not to reveal his name
Age: 20
Occupation: Psychology student
Spotted at: Orchard Road
His fit: “I’m wearing a shirt from Pull & Bear that I bought years ago, and my pants are from H&M. My earrings are from The Antecedent Store at VivoCity, and my necklace was a gift from my mum. My shoes are Tabi knock-offs.”
His favourite trend: “I have a strong affinity for beaded jewellery, especially Y2K-inspired pieces. One of my favourites is a brand created by a friend of mine, @from.yenllys. I often request custom jewellery from her, based on my favourite anime and manhwa characters. This way, I get to wear accessories featuring my beloved characters.”
A fun fact about him: “I learned Russian for about three years, but I have completely forgotten it.”
Name: Hiro Ye
Age: 31
Occupation: Fashion stylist and content creator
Spotted at: Orchard Road
His fit: “The top is velvet from Zara, the pants are from Martine Rose, and I have on Celine boots. My bag is from Jacquemus. I’m wearing a Celine bandana and shades. ”
What makes someone stylish: “Confidence.”
Where he likes to shop: “I shop online a lot, and Ssense is my go-to – shout out to Ssense. I also love Zara because it’s so accessible; it carries almost everything that is on-trend.”
Name: Chen Zhengxi
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “The clothes, from the vest to the shorts, are from Zara. My bag is from Chanel, and my shoes are from Prada.”
Her favourite brands: “Chanel and Prada because their designs are very different and unique to me.”
The most expensive fashion item she owns: “Probably this Chanel bag. I purchased it because I truly appreciate the design; it feels very delicate. However, I anticipate continuing to buy bags with a top handle in the future.”
Name: Kash Lim
Age: 19
Occupation: Fashion design student
Spotted at: Orchard Road
Her fit: “The dress is from Urban Revivo, the cardigan is from Uniqlo, and as for the shoes, I don’t remember where I got them. I also have a Carlyn bag, a Tiffany & Co. necklace, beaded bracelets from my mum, a scrunchie from Japan, and Pandora bracelets.”
A style ick: “Maybe wearing sandals with socks – I think it’s very weird. But if you’re able to make it work, props to you, because some people just look really crusty when they do it.”
Her favourite designer: “I like Guo Pei. I really appreciate how intricate her designs are; it takes so many hours of work to achieve what she does, and I feel like I can never do that.”
Name: Melvin Yeo
Age: 32
Occupation: Fashion stylist
Spotted at: Orchard Road
His fit: “My bag and jacket are from Bottega. The jeans are from Cos, and the shoes are from Dries Van Noten. My glasses are from Gentle Monster x Margiela. The top is from Zara. The rings are from Chrome Hearts, a Korean brand called Numbering, and Chanel.”
His tip to dressing well: “Look for inspiration. Create a mood board and choose something that you like. It’s honestly just a process of trial and error. When you put on something, you’ll definitely feel it if you don’t like it.”
His fashion icon: “Lately, I’ve been into Troye Sivan. His new music video is pretty lit.”
Name: Ke Peng Chock
Age: 24
Occupation: Marketing student
Spotted at: Marina Bay Sands
His fit: “My shirt is from Uniqlo, my pants are from H&M, and my shoes are Nike Jordans. My bag is from Ikea in collaboration with Virgil Abloh.”
His style: “Effortless. I typically dress like this; I believe black is always a safe choice.”
His favourite designers: “I love Jacquemus for his versatility, and I’m also a fan of Burberry’s new designer, Daniel Lee. I believe Daniel Lee’s recent rebranding has breathed new life into the brand. I recently purchased a Burberry bag!”
Name: Jordan Tan
Age: 23
Occupation: Retail Supervisor
Spotted at: Marina Bay Sands
His fit: “My top is from Cos, my pants are vintage – I bought them in South Korea, and my belt is from Uniqlo. My bag is a vintage Chanel, my sandals are from Hermes, my watch is the Tank Must Large from Cartier, and my ring is the Juste Un Clou from Cartier as well.”
His red flag: “I tend to overspend, especially on food. However, the most recent thing I splurged on is the Cartier Tank Must Large watch that I’m wearing, which cost around $5,000.”
His favourite designer: “At the moment, it’s Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli. I love how he reimagined the ideas and work of Elsa Schiaparelli. The boldness of his creations always leaves me in awe. He embodies the definition of a haute couturier.”
Name: Obi Emmanuel
Age: 31
Occupation: Owner of a fashion business
Spotted at: Marina Bay Sands
His fit: “I got the two-piece from Asos. The shoes are Off-White; I believe they are from the first-ever Off-White collection.”
Where he is originally from: “I’m from Nigeria. Where I come from, Lagos is like the California of Africa, with a multitude of fashionable people. If you visit, you won’t believe it – you’ll see many individuals dressing up like celebrities, yet they’re just regular people!”
His fashion mantra: “I’m selective about what I wear; I like to dress stylishly and make a statement.”
Name: He wants to be known simply as James
Age: 62
Occupation: Engineer who works in the community care sector
Spotted at: Marina Bay
His fit: “I’m dressed in this groovy ’70s-inspired outfit for a party; I don’t usually wear an outfit like this. Normally, it’s a combination of casual pants and sports T-shirts.”
What he does in his free time: “Jog and exercise, then watch Netflix. My favourite genre? Horror movies.”
Name: Veya Rivera
Age: 18
Occupation: Fresh graduate
Spotted at: Haji Lane
Her fit: “My top and pants are from Shein. I’m sporting red Converse sneakers, and my bag is from Coach. The rings and bracelet I’m wearing are from Pandora, and my necklace is from Shopee.”
Her fashion ick: “Skinny jeans. I don’t know why, but I just despise them. I feel like we should leave them in 2016.”
On whether she thinks she’s stylish: “I would say so, yes. Even if I were going out for groceries, I would still feel the need to dress up. Fashion, to me, is a lot of fun, and it allows you to explore and experiment with different styles.”
Name: He wants to be known as ArtDeen Lepak
Age: 27
Occupation: Barista and rapper
Spotted at: Haji Lane
His fit: “I’m wearing a Hundred% top in collaboration with SneakerLah, Uniqlo pants, Water The Plant shoes, Daniel Wellington accessories, a Time to Hijra watch, custom necklaces, and Cotton On sunglasses.”
What he does in his free time: “I like to relax at a store on Haji Lane called Rumi The Poet’s Club – it’s my favourite spot. If I have free time, I write music.”
His ambition: “My goal is to open a cafe for young people of my generation to relax and enjoy various genres of music. I have some friends in the music industry, so I’m passionate about supporting local artists.”
Name: Mytchell Ho
Age: 19
Occupation: Rap musician
Spotted at: Haji Lane
His fit: “My spectacles are from Gentle Monster. The sweater is from Bad Blood, a Korean brand. I purchased these pants in Vietnam; they were quite affordable. I’m also wearing Balenciaga Triple S shoes. My necklace is from Gucci, and my earrings are from a random brand I found in Bugis.”
What attracted him to be a musician: “I’m a full-time musician. I’ve released five songs on Spotify under the name Dvlcxt, and my primary genre is Chinese rap music. I’ve had a passion for singing since I was a child, and I aim to use my music to help people get through tough times, which is why I decided to pursue a career in it. In recent years, I’ve been particularly drawn to rap, and this year, I finally took the plunge and began my music career. I started by writing and releasing one or two songs, and they received a positive response.”
His musical inspirations: “I love and draw inspiration from artists like Capper, Ash Island, Gai, Travis, Central Cee, and the Higher Brothers.”
Name: William Choo
Age: 23
Occupation: Media arts student
Spotted at: Nanyang Technological University
His fit: “The overalls are thrifted, the T-shirt is from Uniqlo, and the shoes are from Adidas.”
His current obsession: “I adore Pixar’s films. When I spotted these Wall-E shoe charms (on his laces) on sale, I just had to get them. Wall-E is such a fantastic movie, and I love it.”
How he rates Singapore style: “I would rate it a six or seven out of 10. We can explore a bit more. Personally, I enjoy wearing what I find cool and showcasing things I personally like. It’s all about experimenting with what you want to do. For instance, this is the first time I’m wearing overalls.”
Name: Michelle Wong
Age: 22
Occupation: Student and art teacher
Spotted at: Nanyang Technological University
Her fit: “My outfit today is quite spontaneous. Many of my jewellery pieces are handmade. My necklace is from The Baab Studio (@thebaabstudio); it’s made by Jolene, who creates fantastic handcrafted jewellery. As for the earrings, I got them from II Monki in Bugis Junction. My top is from Desigual; I really adore vibrant colours and daring, bold patterns. To balance it out, I paired it with a black dress from The Editor’s Market. The shoes are from Steve Madden, and I’ve matched them with some funky-looking socks – today, they feature Garfield. All my other accessories come from a bazaar.”
How she rates her fit: “This is getting a bit personal now… okay, it’s not my best-put-together look, maybe a five out of 10. When I’m going all out with outerwear, pinning some items on my clothes, adding accessories, headbands, and hats, that’s when I hit a 10 out of 10.”
The quirkiest item she owns: “I have a very large figurine, which is a Donald Duck that can be worn as an earring. Whenever I put it on, people always ask, ‘Did you just attach a stuffed toy to your ears?'”
Name: Kit Inn Lee
Age: 23
Occupation: Art, design and media student
Spotted at: Nanyang Technological University
His fit: “I thrifted my jacket at Lucky Plaza for around $15. I had several spare shirts, so I bleached this one myself. My pants originally belonged to my sister, but she couldn’t fit into them. My shoes are from Decathlon. My rings are from Lovisa, my bracelets are from Carousell, and my necklace is from Taobao. My friend made the beaded bracelet. The chain on my pants is a necklace and was also a gift from my friend.”
How he DIY-ed his top: “I used different tools such as cotton buds, paintbrushes, or toothpicks for a detailed look. I wouldn’t say that I do it often, but I would say that it comes from not being able to afford new clothes, and sometimes I have a lot of plain clothes that don’t seem as exciting anymore. The inspiration behind my T-shirt today was just eyes.”
How much he spends a month on fashion: “Not a lot, actually. I usually make my purchases in large chunks, so it’s typically around $200 a year.”
