Self Service
Singapore’s most stylish people in the service industry show us
the way to looking good. By Zaki Jufri and
Terry Ong. Photography by Mark
Lim
You’ve seen them around town—in stores, restaurants, salons and
even hawker centers. They’ve most likely styled your hair,
recommended you a rare record or that one-of-a-kind dress; and you
probably wonder why most of them are so chic. There are the more
than a handful of service staff who have their own unique and
quirky sense of style. I-S susses out these X-factor dressers who
simply look too cool for school.
He wears shirt by Acne Jeans, jacket by Merci Beaucoup,
self-made Lego bowtie, jeans by DSquared2, jeans accessory by Raf
by Raf Simons and shoes from Journal Standard.
Describe your style
Two words—simple and fun.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
I’m always inspired by different cultures especially when I’m
abroad. And the way people dress from all walks of life.
Is having style important in your line of
work?
Yes—because customers tend to ask for our advice on current
fashion trends, want tips and may even want us to dress them up. If
the customer like the way you dress, they tend to turn to you for
advice more frequently. And we represent a stylish boutique and the
organization behind us.
Do you think you care too much about your own
style?
Of course I am about concerned how I look, but I’m definitely
not dressing up just to get attention.
Style tip?
There is no easy way out. Try out new things or colors that you
don’t normally will. You never know what might break your
boundaries.
She wears shirt from Uniqlo, pants by Walter Van Beirendonck,
belt from Cortefiel, vintage glasses and shoes by Dr. Martens.
Describe your style
I don’t have a specific style but I do come up with a daily
fashion theme.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
From movies mostly. Like today, my theme is a pimp from the
movie Taxi Driver. I actually wanted to wear suspenders with this
outfit to complete the whole ’60s Detroit pimp look but my
suspenders were too loose.
Is having style important in your line of
work?
It’s not so much about having style. It’s just fun to dress up
and come up with interesting outfits everyday. It’s all about
celebrating one’s individuality and not following any trend.
Do you think you care too much about your own
style?
I don’t think so, but it depends on my mood. I could go out in
torn jeans and bare feet for all I care.
Style tip?
Just be yourself. Take a risk and discover new possibilities in
what you can wear. Fashion is all about having fun.
He wears self-printed t-shirt and used jeans.
Describe your style
Style? What style? Style is out of a fashion magazine.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
I don’t really care about fashion. I just wear what I want to
wear.
Is having style important in your line of
work?
Honestly, I don’t really bother about dressing up. Style only
affects people who are superficial.
Do you think you care too much about your own
style?
I won’t say that I don’t care about how I look. I mean one has
to look decent when he steps out of the house. As long as I think I
look all right, that’s fine. Who cares about what other people
think?
Style tip?
Be conscious of where your clothes come from.
Amanda wears striped top and beaded necklace from TopShop, harem
pants from a flea market, hat from Camden Market and brandless
flip-flops. Daryl wears shirt by Nakkna, pants by Julian Red, belt
by A Tail We Could Wag and shoes by Fred Perry.
Describe your style
Amanda: Colorful, quirky and easy.
Daryl: My style is an extension of who I am—I like to keep
things simple and not too dramatic. It’s all about subtlety and the
details.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
A: When I was a lot younger, I got my inspiration from Archie
Comics. I used to try to dress up like Betty and Veronica but now
it’s mostly fashion magazines like Nylon and Dazed &
Confused.
D: My inspiration comes from anything and everything: From the
movies I watch, the music I listen to and the things I see
everyday. But the music I listen to when I’m getting dressed plays
a big part as it sets the mood for what I’m going to wear for the
day.
Is having style important in your line of
work?
A: Definitely, because it sort of shows whether you’re an
individual or a conformist. Being stylish and dressing well is a
form of expression.
D: It says a lot about who you are. Especially in a shop like
this you need a certain style so that you look and play the part. I
don’t want customers to think that I’m unreliable because I look
too shabby.
Do you think you care too much about your own
style?
A: I think it’s all right to care about personal style but not
to a point of being obsessive.
D: It all depends on what day it is and what kind of mood I’m
in. On weekdays, I’m dressed like this for work; Saturdays I’m
slightly dressier; and it’s the casual dressed-down look for
Sundays.
Style tip?
A: Tights are not pants.
D: Just be yourself but also know what type of look or outfit
that you can carry off.
He wears shirt from H&M, pants by April 77, belt by Martin
Margiela 11 and patent shoes from Zara.
Describe your style
Chic, minimal and classic.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
From fashion magazine and websites. It’s all about the clothes
that fit me and what I’m comfortable in. And it has to look good,
of course.
Is having style important in your line of
work?
Of course. I guess as a hairstylist, if I don’t look good it’s
hard to convince people that I can make them look good.
Do you think you care too much about your own
style?
Yes I do. I’m very conscious of how I look.
Style tip?
You have to be practical especially in Singapore. Overdressing
kills, in particular when you wear things like scarves and neck
warmers in a place like this.
He wears self-made headwear and dress, accessories from CK Tangs
and shoes by D&G
Describe your style
My style is sexy, glamorous with lots of feathers and fishnets.
It’s also a little bit couture. I design my own costumes which is
couture in a way.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
I don’t really look at fashion magazines for ideas but rather
through all the things we see around me—from shop windows to
hardware stores.
Is having style important in your line of
work?
If I don’t have style, I would look like some old hag or like
some old wrench that someone dragged out of the Singapore
River.
Do you think you care too much about your own
style?
Yes I do but I want to care about my own style much more. What I
wish for is my own dressmaker or someone who can help me with my
costumes because I have all these fabulous ideas.
Style tip?
When something is too small, buy two of them and sew them
together.
She wears top from Bugis Junction, pants from Zara, bracelet
from Dzambhala Curios and shoes from Far East Plaza.
Describe your style
I liken my style to Hawker Lian meets Cinderella in Wonderland,
which translates to weather friendly chic with a whimsical
twist.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
I have always believed that part of your personality is
manifested in your choice of clothing so I guess I derive
inspiration from the numerous facets of my personality that evolves
from time to time.
Is having style important in your line of
work?
No, I work in a hawker center. But I need to reflect the person
that I am.
Do you think you care too much about your own
style?
Honestly, I don’t. I usually spend less than 10 minutes choosing
my clothes, ironing them and getting dressed.
Style tip?
Dress to kill with murder on the dancefloor.
He wears shirt by Martin Margiela 10, pants by Indu Homme,
vintage shoes from Japan and self-made safety pin necklace
Describe your style
Unconventional and slightly experimental.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
From my favourite designers like Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens
and Martin Margiela.
Is having style important in your line of
work?
Being in the fashion line, one is expected to dress well, and it
reflects on your job. No one would take me seriously if I were not
stylish.
Do you think you care too much about your own
style?
Of course!
Style tip?
The trick is to accessorize, accessorize and accessorize. You
can spruce up even a plain or dull looking jacket with a chunky
necklace or interesting pants or leggings.
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