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.
Growing up, Clara Hong always loved dressing up. The digital content creator would rummage through a playbox full of outfits – such as sequinned tops, embellished skirts, fancy dresses, heels and tiaras – and don them proudly.
Perhaps she had known, even as a child, that fashion, and everything related to it, from modelling to curation and creation, would be her calling.
However, the 26-year-old did not start out in fashion. After studying communications and new media at the National University of Singapore, she took on roles more related to the arts, such as video producing for a website, and graphic design at an advertising firm.
About two years ago, while doing a stint in a client-facing role at the advertising firm, she realised that it wasn’t for her. So, she left and channelled her energy into her own social media platforms, focusing on lifestyle content.
Now, Clara is at a place she belongs – working on her personal content on Instagram and Tiktok (@clarahongg), as well as handling public relations, marketing and social media content for fashion brand The Editor’s Market.
Clara says this career switch is not too far a leap for her, given that it also has to do with artistry and imagination. “[When I was young] I begged my parents to send me for art classes. I’ve always loved immersing myself in art and getting lost in my own world of creativity.”
Clara describes her personal style as classic and elegant, with a love for neutrals. She’s often seen in slouchy silhouettes such as an oversized shirt or a matching baggy blazer-pants set.
She shares more about her relationship with fashion, and why she thinks it’s great that Crocs have become a popular trend.
The best thing about fashion today is…
That people can take an unfashionable item, such as Crocs footwear or MSCHF’s Big Red Boots, and turn them into such a big trend. Fashion truly knows no boundaries.
Brands I really love are…
Jacquemus, Acne Studios and The Row.
My go-to, fuss-free outfit for work days is…
My trusty bodysuit to suck everything in, and a pair of loose-fitting pants. I usually wear a boxy, oversized shirt over that. For shoes, I prefer a pair of flat sandals or New Balance sneakers.
When purchasing a new piece of clothing or accessory…
I always ask myself, does it age with time? Is it a quality piece? If it’s just a trendy piece, can I still picture myself wearing it five years from now?
The top three items on my luxury wish list are…
Celine’s Teen Triomphe bag, the Bvlgari Serpenti Seduttori watch in steel and yellow gold, and Bottega Veneta’s Teen Jodie bag.
My most outrageous/ flamboyant fashion item is…
A pair of Nike AM1 x Atmos Animal Pack 2.0 that was released on Air Max Day in 2018. I collected many sneakers in the past, but I’ve since downsized.
The perfect fashion item to up the style factor is…
A pair of knee-high boots. I’ve been wanting to get a pair for a while now, and I can totally picture myself wearing them with so many outfits. But I just haven’t found the perfect pair yet!
Trendsetters to follow:
Clara shares her thoughts on fashion and lifestyle trendsetters who have made a mark on the industry.