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.
Ask Rochelle Lai (better known as Relle Lai) what she was like growing up, and she’d be quick to say that she was not known as an outgoing and gregarious child. Reserved and quiet, she was content with playing by herself, or focusing on her interests and tasks at hand. She loved art and fashion, but she certainly did not see herself getting into modelling as a career.
Life, however, had other plans. The 24-year old, who has a Communication Design diploma, is now a fashion and lifestyle digital creator and model, with an Instagram following of close to 11,000. She’s also a freelance graphic designer. Facing an “identity crisis” in 2021, Relle decided to quit her full-time job as she felt that it limited her “time and energy for personal passions”. It was during this period that she began documenting her outfits and other visually pleasing items on her Instagram account.
This caught the attention of brands, who started reaching out with opportunities for her to model or create content for them. Her big break came when she published a post featuring Gentle Monster, an eyewear brand from South Korea.
“It became a turning point for me where I began taking it all more seriously,” she says.
When it comes to her personal style, Relle says the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi (an appreciation of the beauty of imperfection) is something that deeply influences her.
She also adores Brutalism, an architectural style associated with rough, unfinished surfaces, unusual shapes, and a utilitarian feel. “I tend to go for neutral earthy tones in garments, and raw natural elements in accessories,” she says.
Here, she shares more about her love for all things fashion.
I’m fascinated by designers such as…
Charlotte Knowles (of South London-based brand KNWLS), as well as Asian designers such as Professor.E from Taiwan, and Mutedance from China. They have that enigmatic aesthetic that is both contemporary and vintage, but I think it’s the play on textures, layers and patterns, with some sort of raw, natural flair, that never fails to catch my eye.
My most outrageous fashion item is…
A pair of boxing shoes. People have asked me why I wear boxing shoes when I don’t do the sport. I first saw it styled as part of an everyday look by social media influencer Amanda Steele and was so in love with it! It’s like a cross between sneakers and boots. It’s still a big part of my look today, and I am looking to purchase more vintage boxing shoes.
My go-to, fussfree outfit for work and leisure is…
Something that prioritises comfort, with a neutral colour palette.
I don’t consider myself a shopaholic because…
I’m practical. I get the gratification of shopping, but I usually force myself to take some time to consider whether I really need the item.
An outfit is not complete without…
A beaded choker/necklace. I think it elevates every look, and you’ll never catch me without one.
When purchasing a new piece of clothing or accessory…
I make sure I check all of these boxes: fit, quality, timelessness, and versatility.
The best thing about fashion is…
You can be anything you want to be. I know and love how transformative fashion can make one feel.
Trailblazers to follow:
Relle shares her thoughts on icons who have made an indelible impact on their industries.