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.
Standing out from the crowd is second nature to fashion and lifestyle entrepreneur Jemie Phua. So it comes as no surprise that eclectic, eccentric and bold are some of her favourite words when it comes to describing her larger than-life style. Ever curious and drawn to art and architecture, the adventurous dresser is always willing to try anything once.
“I’ve always been attracted to colours and prints,” she says. “They speak to me and my personality. I like having fun styling them, and experimenting with different textures and silhouettes.” Jemie’s CV includes being the head honcho of Unniki (unniki.com), an online decor and lifestyle retail brand, and co-founder of media site We Love Glasses – a passion project created with her partner, who is of Italian descent.
“He was the one who designed, developed and coded the entire website,” says Jemie of her brand, which highlights independent eyewear designers. Both ventures are fuelled by her taste for the quirky and the unconventional, as Jemie admits it’s tough to find eccentric items that speak to her, and shopping is a browsing affair more often than not.
“I do shop, with some of my favourite designers being Schiaparelli, Ashish, and indie brand Mira Mikati Studio, but it’s challenging to find pieces that truly fit my style,” she laments. “I’m not so much a shopaholic as I am a browser-holic,” she laughs. Jemie knows that she gets double takes from strangers in public when she rocks her unique brand of pop art-meets-hipster aesthetic, but she’s unfazed by the extra attention.
[My mother and grandmother] have always instilled in me this pride of how I put myself together, and how your clothes are an extension of yourself.
Jemie Phua
As she studied fashion marketing in university, that gave her a deeper understanding behind the craftsmanship of an item, as well as a keen appreciation for fashion. Thanks to her grandmother and mother, she also grew up learning how dressing up is an integral part of everyday life – and she proudly declares them as her fashion role models.
“They’ve always instilled in me this pride of how I put myself together, and how your clothes are an extension of yourself,” she says. Inspired by how Jemie takes on life with confidence and chutzpah? Read on as she dishes on her relationship with fashion and how to “dress your life to the fullest”.
How she makes the best of an outfit By styling, mixing and matching the right pieces to create a look. Knowing the right proportions for your body is also vital.
The best thing about fashion today
“That small, independent designers are able showcase their creations to a global audience.”
When it comes to fashion, you can never have enough…
“Separate pieces to create different looks.”
The most flamboyant fashion item in her closet
“A pair of velvet leopard print skorts that I’ve had for around 13 years. Most of my flamboyant pieces are usually vintage.”
How to pull off bold colours or prints
“Start with one bold item or a single bold colour. Another way to integrate colours and prints is with bags, shoes, and jewellery.”
To up the ante with her wardrobe, she would wear…
“Gloves as part of my everyday outfit, as inspired by Carrie Bradshaw. Also, in a post Covid-19 world, doesn’t it also seem practical?”
The boxes she checks when purchasing a new piece of clothing or accessory
Longevity, comfort, and quality. I’m a big advocate of being conscious about your purchases.
An outfit is not complete without…
“Accessories, of course!”