Singapore’s fashion retro girls Part II: Gwen Heng

There are people who are into vintage. Then there are people who don’t just adopt the look of a different era (or eras) but make it their POV. Gwen Heng, 28, a health-care professional, tells us how she got into vintage, why she DIYs her own vintage-inspired clothing, and how to spot real vintage.

Read the first part of the series featuring singer-songwriter Lou Peixin here.

Vintage from Thieves’ Market, in Grease, and Sydney

“I have always liked old stuff. My dad used to take me to the Sungei Road Thieves’ Market when I was young. The first time I watched Grease, I really liked the songs, the clothes, and everything about it. But it was only during my university years in Sydney that I discovered thrift shops, learnt more about vintage style, and immersed myself in the vintage scene. I even took up rock ’n’ roll and rockabilly dancing classes in my final uni year. Everyone in the dance classes wore the most fabulous vintage-style clothes, and that was what inspired me to continue to pursue this style.

While the ’50s and ’60s are my favourite eras, I do also like the ’40s and the ’70s. I love the style of Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, and Jane Birkin (but only for her wicker bags).

Making your own retro saves money

I took a dressmaking class when I was 20 because I wanted to make unique retro clothes for myself, and true vintage clothes are quite expensive. It’s also hard to find off-the-rack things that fit well, so making my own clothes is a good way to make sure that the clothes fit better.

The six- to eight-week course was held once a week at Bishan Community Club, and it taught me the basics of garment making. My first project was a blue floral shirt, which I made using my friend’s sewing machine. I eventually got one of my own in Sydney with the allowance I saved up, and I still use it now; I lugged it all the way back to Singapore!

I usually spend under $100 to make a dress. A yard of fabric costs roughly $10, and for a dress with a poufy ’50s-style skirt, it takes up to four to five yards. I get my clothing patterns mostly from Spotlight, but if I want real vintage ones, I get them online.

Wicker bags are my obsession

I am a big fan of the ’50s- and ’60s-style wicker bags. I like hunting for second-hand ones in thrift shops or online. The one I am carrying in the picture was just $4 and I got it at a thrift store in Sydney many years ago. It was just a plain bag, but I loved the handle and the shape. So I got some lace and ribbon from a craft store, stuck them onto the bag with a hot-glue gun, and it made the bag a whole lot cuter.

Engaged in ’50s style

I made a Hawaiian shirt for my fiance and matching Hawaiian shorts for myself for our tropical engagement party last month in Texas. Designer Alfred Shaheen, who popularised Hawaiian shirts, sarongs and dresses in the ’50s, inspired me. A vintage Alfred Shaheen dress can go for more than US$200 (S$273).

How to spot real vintage

I sometimes shop on Carousell for vintage pieces, and the way I identify real vintage is from the clothing label and the design of the item. The same goes for looking for vintage in thrift stores. For example, I recently found a couple of cardigans in a thrift shop with a ’50s/’60s design, with labels stating that they are made of 100% orlon acrylic. Every era has different materials, or ones that are not commonplace now, and as orlon acrylic was a popular polyester used in the ’60s, I can confidently say the cardigans are true vintage.”

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Photography: Frenchescar Lim, assisted by Sherman See Tho

Styling: Bryan Goh

Hair: Christian Maranion, using Jose Eber styling tools

Makeup: Christian Maranion, using Inga Cosmetics & Kat Von D

This story was first published in the August 2017 issue of Her World magazine.