This year’s Singapore Art Week (SAW) – which ran from Jan 6 to 15 in various locations across the island –saw over 700 local and global visual artists, gallerists, curators and art organizations. Along with it were more than 130 programmes and showcases from the debut of the largest regional art fair Art SG to an exhibition titled Craft x Design at the National Design Centre that featured collaborative creations by traditional craftsmen and local designers.
Over the course of the week, the FEMALE team roved the grounds and spotted some of the most colourful and individualistic dressers – from art enthusiasts to the artists to collectors – we have seen for an event. Scroll on to see the folks we documented.
Who: Kelly Limerick, crochet artist
What she is wearing: Dress thrifted in Zurich, Switzerland; apron and pants thrifted in Japan; New Balance shoes; Gucci bag; Sun Jellies bag; and earrings by Noriko Miyake (@norinorinorico0528)
Her thrifting experience in Singapore: “I used to thrift at this flea market almost 10 years ago called the Tanglin Flea; you could find things for as cheap as fifty cents. I still wear the stuff I bought there. There were items from fashion brands – I even found a skirt which was in great condition from a major French label which I scored for just $2.”
Who: Wang Yi, CEO of a medical company
What she is wearing: Dress thrifted in Italy; L’Atelier Tess hat; Ecco boots; and Issey Miyake bag
Where she enjoys shopping: “I love to shop in Europe in places like France and Italy. I also like to shop in Japan, specifically Tokyo.”
Who: Mendel Phua, final year architecture student
What he is wearing: Karl Lagerfeld x Alled Martinez top; thrifted jeans, Prada bag and Balenciaga pouch; Diesel belt; and Gucci boots gifted to her
Favourite designer: “The late Alexander McQueen. I like the way he managed to shift what high-end means and how he was able to mix his avant-garde sensibility and his time at Givenchy into his own designs.”
Who: Nera Mok, university student
What she is wearing: Top and skirt from Plop Apparels; Stilnook bag gifted to her; and Dr. Marten boots
Her experience thrifting in Australia: “I get most of my clothes in Australia. The thrift stores in Australia tend to be more varied (as compared to Singapore) and cheaper. I’ve managed to buy a pair of cargo pants for $6.”
Who: Gracia Wong, account manager
What she is wearing: Dress thrifted from Paris; top borrowed from her mum; and Lucca Vudor shoes
Her style: “I love style from the ’40s and ’50s in particular. Half of my wardrobe is made up of vintage clothes and the other half comprises more modern pieces. The thing about vintage clothes, however, is that everything needs to be hand-washed.”
Who: Cheryl Ong, fashion media student
What she is wearing: Cardigan thrifted from @daisypasie; Eirocori dress; Stilnook pouch; Uniqlo socks; and Dr. Martens sandals
Her style: “I try to thrift as much as possible from places like Lucky Plaza and Instagram shops and buy from independent designers. But there are also a lot of up-and-coming Singaporean designers that are making many interesting and unique things.”
Who: Charity SsB, musician and producer
What he is wearing: Thrifted beanie from Chiang Mai, Thailand; Valentino puffer jacket; thrifted skirt and pants; Ed Hardy belt; thrifted necklace; and Zara boots
His sense of style: “My style is really personal; it’s a hybrid of many different things. I just dress to make myself feel comfortable and build my self-confidence.”
Who: Kayla Dahee Kim, gallerist
What she is wearing: Top from South Korea; thrifted pants and shoes
How she describes the fashion scene in Tokyo: “You wear the things you want; it’s not very trend-sensitive. You will definitely see things that were from 20 years ago still being worn today. They are aware of trends, but they would style it in their own unique way.”
Who: Nihal Ahmed, law student
What she is wearing: Thrifted top; Uniqlo pants; Vitaly ear cuffs; and Adieu shoes
Favourite place to shop: “Uniqlo. Be it men’s or women’s – whatever catches my eye, I’m getting it. My style philosophy has always been to keep it simple.”