What does personal style mean to you? To many, it’s more than just the clothes off their backs — it’s the freedom to express who they are on the inside before even saying a word. While we all have a personal sense of style, no two individuals are exactly the same when it comes to the way they dress. In this column I Want Her Style, we speak to the stylish individuals of Singapore, and find out what makes their minds tick when it comes to fashion, and the people who inspire them.
“It took me decades to be comfortable with my background as a Javanese-Malay-Chinese woman,” reveals Dahlia Mohd, co-founder of En Pointe & Co., a local multilabel boutique. Despite her initial uncertainty, the Singaporean entrepreneur and sales marketing director of a tech firm eventually embraced her identity, and used her mixed parentage to her advantage.
Dahlia started to incorporate aspects of her culture into her everyday style – she even made it her purpose to bring traditional wear into the mainstream through her boutique, where she curates a portfolio of local and South-east Asian fashion brands.
“I love Baju by Oniatta from Singapore for her contemporary take on batik, Malaysia’s Khoon Hooi for his special occasion wear and statement pieces, and Toton from Indonesia for always pushing the envelope on modern heritage fashion,” enthuses the immaculate 39-year-old, who has an eye for tailored cuts, and an affinity for mixing colours, prints and textures.
To Dahlia, the distinction between traditional wear and modern fashion has ceased to exist. For instance, her everyday look may consist of a T-shirt paired with a hand-drawn batik sarong skirt that is cinched with an obi belt – styling that comes naturally and effortlessly thanks to her diverse cultural background.
“It’s easy to get lost and look elsewhere for a sense of self. Traditional clothing should never be viewed as being backward, and should not imply that the wearer is narrow-minded,” she says.
Dahlia also enjoys wearing heritage pieces like a kebaya to work or dinner parties, as this allows people to appreciate its beauty and versatility. She shares: “A kebaya can work as an outerwear for chilly nights, and a sarong could be an alternative to a long basic pencil skirt.”
With a business savvy that’s as multifaceted as her sense of style, there is certainly no limit to her fashion choices. We pick Dahlia’s brain on fashion and culture, and how she combines both worlds.
Running En Pointe & Co. influences my style…
Because I try to encapsulate what the brands are trying to communicate through their clothing. For example, Ana Abu is a Malaysian label that’s about utilitarian minimalist chic. This has inspired me to be more mindful about finding more functional pieces.
I get my fashion inspiration from…
Art, nature, and heritage fabrics. Flora and fauna motifs or repeated patterns spur me to be more creative with my outfits. Abstract artists like Mondrian and Rothko are great for inspiring colour palettes, and I look to Basquiat for prints. Of late, I really like the Afrofuturism aesthetic.
The best thing about fashion today is…
That it’s much more inclusive. Everyone has a place, and their interpretation of what fashion means to them is valid.
When I purchase a new piece of clothing or accessory…
It has to be transformative. Clothes change my mood and influence how people feel around you. I try to give off good energy through my dressing.
My most flamboyant fashion item is…
A plastic handpainted wraparound skirt by Innai Red. It looks like a shower curtain with raindrops and embellishments, but when I style it with my lime green trousers, I receive tons of compliments.
If I wanted up the ante with my wardrobe, I would wear…
More layers, such as vests, jackets, and outerwear.
When it comes to fashion, you can never have enough…
Shoes! I’d pick shoes over bags any day. It’s a very sensual experience to fit your feet into gorgeously crafted footwear. I’m a big fan of N21, Aquazzura and Gianvito Rossi.
If someone told me that “loving fashion is so frivolous”, I would say…
Life without frivolity is one not worth living.