10qq with yvette.

With a winning smile, looks to kill for and a bubbly personality and charm to match, it's no wonder Australian-Korean beauty Yvette King is taking Singapore's media and fashion industry by storm. Both a model under Cal-Carries and an event host under Beam Artistes, if there's any good fashion happening on the Little Red Dot, you can be sure Yvette King is right in the middle of all of it, either armed with a microphone as a host, or a camera as a blogger at tanjongbazaar.com. With a glamorous sense of style and the friendliest personality amidst her raging success, I sat down with Yvette and asked her some of my most itching questions. Read on to find out more about this host/model/blogger extraordinaire!

1. Favourite beauty product right now: Any kind of moisturizer - my skin just drinks it up! Right now I'm using Nars but I also love Premier Dead Sea.

2. Best piece of advice given to you by your parents: Be free and explore.

3. If you could have one designer item absolutely free right now (it could be anything!), what would you pick? Chanel 2.55 in Caviar. Or a Hermes Kelly... If you're reading this, Chanel or Hermes: Help a girl out!

4. One of your favorite bloggers: Shine By Three.



5. Two things you always have with you: My smile and my phone.

6. Another big interest of yours besides fashion: Surprisingly, football (as in soccer). Fashion and football - what a combination!

7. Your least favorite part about your job: The fact that it's fickle. It's a rollercoaster - one minute you have your dream gig, but it sometimes feels like a fleeting second. Then you need to hustle and get to your next one - and repeat!

8. A movie you'd be happy to watch over and over again: Love Actually!

9. Your culinary vice: Carbs!

10. Your favorite places in Singapore: Club Street or Duxton Hill. I love that the old shophouses are converted into restaurants, cafes and hole-in-the-wall bars.

What do you think of Yvette King's gorgeous sense of style? Check out her website, blog, Twitter and Instagram!

10qq with drea.

Meet Andrea Chong, a 21 year old fashion blogger/model/extraordinaire from Singapore - aka one of the most GORGEOUS people I know; inside and out. She is in her third year of university studying Literature as an undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University as well as the host of online fashion TV show, "That F Word" on clicknetwork.tv. Andrea loves to spend her time at traveling (she recently came back from a trip to Paris, where most of the images below were shot), reading, cooking, and trying to get her nonchalant cat to love her. I'm a huge fan of her distinctive personal style, outgoing, bubbly presence and stunning modelling pictures! 

1. Something most people don't know about you:
I'm such a "housewife". I love cooking, and cleaning the house gives me so much satisfaction. Going to the household section in departmental stores actually makes me more happy than shopping. 

2. How you started modelling and blogging:

I started modeling with online clothing store, Tracyeinny, in 2010. I guess other online shops took notice of me then and I've been modeling ever since! I started blogging in September 2012. The producer for my fashion show "That F Word" encouraged me to set up a blog so that I will have an increased online presence - I was a real social media noob back then, I had no blog, no instagram, and no twitter account. The blog also served as a good way for my readers to get to know me and my style a little better!

3. Your favorite pastime:

I would say I love to sleep and just surf tumblr or pinterest all day long, but who doesn't?! I guess I love food-hunting. My boyfriend and I are always finding new places to eat, and it's always fun trying new food with him! I love hiking and trekking as well - it has always been a favourite family activity since I was young. 

4. Someone who always gives you a lot of support:

Definitely my parents and my boyfriend. They are always supportive of what I do, and are always there to give sound and rational advice, and emotional support. I don't know what I'd do without them!
 

5. Your least favorite food:

Hmmm, I don't like steak, is that weird?! There's just too much meat and I can never finish any steak if I tried! 

6. A place you'd love to visit:

I'd love to spend a month traveling around Switzerland and visiting all their famous nature spots. I'm a sucker for nature-focused travel destinations! 

7. A beauty product/tip you swear by:

Benefit Cosmetics' Hello Flawless Foundation for it gives my skin such a natural finish. But I swear by my Bosch 2-in-1 Hair Curler/ Straigtener the most, it is hands down the best hair curler and straightener I have used, and I don't think I can use any other brand. I am contemplating buying 5 of them just in case Bosch decides to discontinue the product. :/ 

8. How you stay in such trim shape:

I gym once a week, and I eat everything in moderation. I love my snacks and ice cream as much as the next person, but I will always ration them out over a few days. My meals are generally not very oily, and I must always have a balanced meal of carbohydrates, protein, and fibre (a.k.a rice, meat and vegetables). I try to avoid eating after 11pm as well as the body stops breaking down carbohydrates during the night. 
 

9. Your favorite designer label and why:

I'm not really into designer labels, but I've seen a couple of Elie Saab gowns on celebrities which I really love! There is this Elie Saab lilac lace chiffon dress Mila Kunis wore to the 2011 Oscars which I cannot stop stop obsessing over. I would love to have it as my wedding dress! 

10. Name something about yourself that you are constantly striving to improve:
I guess I would have to say everything? I'm always striving to be a better blogger, model, student, daughter, sister, girlfriend. I think if you start being contented and stop wanting to improve, something is definitely wrong. I believe in hard work and improvement - by wanting to better yourself, you bring in fresh ideas, stay on the competitive edge, love and give more, and be the best person you can be (: 

Check out Drea's blog here!

10qq with willabelle.

 

One of Singapore's biggest names in fashion, blogger/model Willabelle Ong has conquered Asia's fashion scene and far beyond at the tender age of 18 (who knows what she'll accomplish next!). Her blog, www.paledivision.com, has garnered the attention of thousands of global fashionistas, young and old, and continues to grow at a commendable rate. From her candy-colored hair tendencies to her equally bold sartorial ones, Willabelle's youthful yet sophisticated taste remains close to the hearts of many of her dedicated readers and followers. Read on to learn a bit more about this successful fashionista's life!

1) How did you get started with blogging? Was it a long-time dream of yours?

The Pale Division blog was founded shortly after my Lookbook account was created as I wanted to document my personal style in greater detail. It was also a space for me to post inspiration, daily visuals and unnecessary word vomit. I don't think blogging was ever a long-time dream of mine, it simply happened.  

2) What's the nicest thing a fan has ever done for you?

I'm flattered enough whenever a reader refers himself/herself as a 'fan'. Everything has been really nice - the long, encouraging emails, the wonderful illustrations, the shout-outs, etc.

3) What's your guilty pleasure comfort food?

Chocolate! Or ice-cream. I've been having too much ice-cream recently, even though we're currently experiencing winter...

4) What's your least favorite activity?

I dread any form of exercise but running has to be the worst. My stamina is hopeless.

5) What is your staple accessory?

Probably fine rings and a good pair of shoes. I like how a pair of kicks can make or break an outfit. Outerwear is always a favourite too! Light-weight pieces can be layered in summer while I'm all about faux-fur and woollen coats in winter.

6) What is the most important thing to remember about blogging and fashion in general?

Ignore the negative criticism and focus on the constructive ones instead. People will always have something to say behind your back. Just remember that's where they belong, right behind you.

7) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

To stop worrying so much!
 

8) What do you love about yourself?

I don't know... I love how I'm surrounded by positive and encouraging people. Does that count?

9) Heels, booties, wedges or flats?

Heels... And wedges. 

10) Hopes and dreams for the future?

To travel the world!

What do you think of Willabelle's blog and her eclectic sense of style?

+ Singer/Songwriter/YouTuber/Popspoken Entertainment Editor Zack Hourihane and I will be doing a Q&A video this coming week, so please tweet/email/tumblr ask me any questions you have for either of us that you'd like us to answer!

10qq with islean.

 Powerful - Sexy - Sophisticated - Chic. If I had to sum up ARC's aesthetic in four words, those would be the four I'd choose. No one, I repeat NO ONE, knows power-dressing the way Islean Valath does, and that's why every woman needs an ARC piece in her wardrobe - for kick-ass, no-nonsense sophistication. In my mind, the ARC woman is the urban, polished CEO with the world at her manicured fingertips who wears heels as high as her achievements and champions a wardrobe of professional, understated elegance laced with bold sexiness. While we can't all be that CEO, we can sure as hell dress like her with price points of $150 for a skirt to $358 for a dress. ARC echoes the clean aesthetic of sparkling urban life, and achieves a unique sexiness while maintaining generally conservative cuts. With excellent quality and a design philosophy like no other, ARC stands out in the Singaporean design scene as the pioneer of modern, feminine dressing. Islean describes her brand vision as follows:

"A segment of a circle. A curve. The make-up of a woman's body. ARC is inspired by the curves that govern the female form, seeking to draw attention to that which should be, and to hold back what is best veiled... The juxtaposition of the hard-edged and soft curves echoes a balance that all modern women must find: somewhere between fragile and hard, strong and delicate."

1) What's your favorite way to spend a Friday night? Catching up with my best girlfriends over a good meal. I don't get to see them often enough due to our travel and work schedules, so it's always such a treat to meet up. We don't frequent clubs and bars at all, but prefer to chill over a good meal in Katong where we grew up together, or somewhere in the Little India/Bras Basah areas. Invariably we'll end up having a great time, laughing our heads off over something or other. Of course it's always a feast, ending with someone whipping out a box of cupcakes or local kueh they had bought along the way. We're all pretty consistent and passionate about yoga and gymming, so we never feel guilty going crazy with the desserts.

2) What are some of your daily online reads? I love the crisp sounds of a publication being flipped early in the morning. I do read online mags but there's nothing on the web that's a daily habit.

3) Name a celebrity you'd love to dress in your designs: Natalie Portman. She's the perfect combination - intelligent, grounded, doesn't take herself too seriously, amazing at her craft, wacky funny, and if all that isn't enough, she's got a flawless face and body.

4) What's a color you'd never wear? Cyan blue. It really doesn't work with my skin tone. Might be great on someone else, but just terrible on me.

5) What's something you always have with you? I hate to admit this, but its my iPhone. Yes I know, people are now completely glued to their handheld devices, causing big shifts and possibly detrimental effects on our social paradigms, not to mention really embarrassing facial expressions on the trains as we attempt to get to the next level of Candy Crush. I can't help it though, I'm addicted to my machine! I don't actually play any games at all. For me it's emails, whatsapp and googling - you see I just HAVE to find the answer to any question I have. Immediately.

6) Name a designer you look up to/are inspired by: There are so many, but for a long time now I've been a huge fan of Haider Ackermann. His work is just phenomenal and he's got such a strong, recognizable voice in his creations.

7) What's your least favorite food? I was forced to eat this 3 times a week when I was a kid: steamed whole fish with ginger & Chinese wine. The smell and slimy skin of the fish made want to puke, and the eyes of the fish staring at me from the plate freaked me out.  Kind of like the Mona Lisa eye-contact effect, except not very pleasant because it's a dead fish...

8) What are your thoughts on Singapore's fashion scene? There's definitely more and more interesting street fashion in Singapore that I've noticed in the past couple years. Every time I see someone, young or old wearing a great outfit styled in a unique, imaginative way, I think to myself, "How awesome, this is the next stage of our development in Asia: creative personal growth." Not merely in small alternative pockets of society, but throughout the mainstream, there is burgeoning recognition that personal expression / individuality are things that aren't to be feared and rejected.

9) Something you've never done but you'd like to try: Bit of a cliche, but for me it really is bungee jumping. I have family in New Zealand so it's long overdue; on my next trip I will have to make good on my self-promise to take the plunge, so to speak...

10) What are your dreams for the future? Being invited to show my line at one of the major cities' fashion weeks is a real dream.

What do you think of Islean's designs and ARC?

10qq with kriss&jules.

It's become increasingly hard to find elegant, simple pieces of wrist-candy in a modern accessories market that is totally obsessed with versatility, layering and excess. When I see Aimee Song's Instagram pictures, I can't help but wonder how uncomfortable she must be wearing at least a ring on each finger, not to mention the stacks of expensive gold bling that weigh down each of her wrists. They look beautiful in photographs and make her look a million bucks (although she always does, regardless of what she's wearing), but is wearing thousands of dollars of clinky-clanky bangles and jingly things realistic? Hardly. Cue Kriss&Jules, the most perfect option for those days when you're dressed to impress, but can't bring yourself to decorate yourself like a Christmas tree to complete your look. These down-to-earth bracelets have such simple charm, and serve neither to drastically enhance nor to outshine your look. They remind me so much of friendship bracelets; while they might not be the perfect match for an outfit, the timelessness and sentimentality of precious stones and streamlined design make for a great, understated addition to any low-key ensemble. Practical, simple and oh-so-beautiful, what more could you ask for? Read on to find out a bit about Christian and Julien, the brothers behind the label.

1) Best part of your job:
Julien: I love that I can work with my brother and mother. 
Christian: Other than what Julien mentioned, the fact that we meet very interesting and talented people from all over the world.

2) One thing you always have with you:
J: My iPod.
C: My peace bracelet.

3) Your newest celebrity crush:
J: Easy, Scarlett Johansson.
C: Izabel Goulart is my personal favorite, I hope she reads this!

4) One of your favorite weekend pastimes:
J: I spend most of my time drawing.
C: Discovering new restaurants in town! Recommendations welcome.

5) Favorite sport:
J: Definitely football, it's a huge passion of mine.
C: I'm a huge fan of skiing, sadly Singapore isn't perfect for that but I love spending time on the slopes when I'm back in Europe.

6) Favorite gemstone to use in your designs and why:
J: Onyx, it symbolises strength and is really interesting to work with!
C: Jade is my favorite, not only because green is my favorite color but the power and strength behind the stone is astonishing.

7) Goals for the future of the Kriss&Jules label:
J: I would love for Kriss&Jules to broaden its horizons and become the brand it's meant to be.
C: To be able to embellish new beautiful wrists throughout Asia!

8) Childhood career aspiration:
J: I always wanted to become a painter!
C: I wanted to explore space by becoming an astronaut.

9) One thing not many people know about you:
J: My hands-down favorite movie is The Notebook.
C: I love classical music when I'm under pressure, it's so relaxing!

10) Something you can always go to for inspiration:
J: Music!
C: The beach or the mountains.

What do you think of Kriss&Jules' gorgeous designs?

Check out their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Website.

candy magazine: style crush!

If you were able to pick up the April issue of the Philippines' Candy Magazine, you might have spotted my little feature as their Style Crush of the month! It's a little hard to read the actual interview in this picture so I've typed it up below for those of you who are interested in what I have to say about Singapore Style and everything Summer-related (I might have gushed a bit too much about Tory Burch too). 

~

Part-time model, part-time student, and full-time fashion obsessive, this Singaporean blogger gives us the scoop on her summer style.

What's the best place to hit up in Singapore during the summer?

Sentosa has a handful of great beaches and lovely seaside dining spots, and the best thing about the island is that everything is in such close proximity to one another. You can ride the Luge, visit Universal Studios, surf at the Wavehouse, or even try the skydive simulator iFly.

How would you describe Singaporean style?

Black is a particularly significant staple in a Singaporean's wardrobe. It's needed to pull off both the rocker-chick look and the classic, understated look - two of the most popular options for Singaporeans.

If you could pick one designer collection to outfit your entire summer wardrobe, which would it be and why?

Tory Burch's Spring/Summer 2013 collection! It's an unexpected mix of the classic American flaxen-haired prairie girl fused with this great global flavor, all swathed in crisp, light colors and masterful tailoring.

What summer trend are you most excited to try?

Due to baggage weight allowances, quickly changing plans and sheer laziness, I'm embarrassed to say that I'm guilty of being a sloppy dresser during the summer! However cliched this may sound, florals are still an absolute staple for me. They're so easy to dress up or down and can be modified to suit any occasion instantly.

 ~

Thanks a bunch to Sam, Candy Magazine's lovely Associate Fashion Editor, for working with me!

10qq with katja tamara.

I have a seriously incurable obsession with statement clutches; for a student on a sartorial budget, statement clutches are the perfect way to spice up a classic, re-wearable outfit - namely a light colored chiffon blouse and denim jeans. They can add a splash of color, texture or pattern to any simple ensemble, and in the case of Katja Tamara's python clutches, they add all three. Possibly my favorite thing about these gorgeous accessories (although seriously, what ISN'T to like about those beauties) is the fact that they exemplify the perfect marriage of color, print and texture through the distinct python-skin print they all boast. If there's such thing as the perfect, all-encompassing statement bag, these clutches might be just that. With a medley of color schemes on offer as well as variations such as python-skin tote bags and carryalls, Katja Tamara's fantabulous designs are definitely a staple for any fashion-forward woman (or man!). Drawing inspiration from Bali where all her designs are exclusively manufactured, Katja has expanded her label to include beautiful tasseled necklaces each with unique bead patterns and Buddha pendants. I'm so over the cheap fad of gothic Christian-cross designs, so I welcomed one of these gorgeous Buddha necklaces (in black) into my accessories collection with open arms a few weeks ago at the ilovedesigner.com event! 

Check out Katja's 10 Quick Questions below:

1) Favorite thing to do on a Saturday night: Dinner with friends, listening to music, dancing and late-night lounging, or having Apple TV movie nights (and popcorn!) with my husband and kids. 

2) Your current beauty must-have: An 8 hour night of sleep and Tom Ford’s Eye Color Quad in Titanium Smoke, which is suitable for day or night.

3) Your favorite vacation destination: Does it have to be narrowed down to 1 place? I love to travel! My favorites are Bali during Spring, Hawaii in the Summer, New York City in the Fall and Zermatt during Winter. 

4) Something not a lot of people know about you: Both of my parents are European, but I grew up in California. They wanted to give me a name that could be pronounced in Norwegian, German and English easily, but unknowingly they gave me a name that was quite unique in the USA. When I was younger I was tortured with nicknames! Now I can embrace my name and I love it. 

5) Something that inspires your designs: As cliché as this is, I genuinely have Wanderlust. Whenever I travel, I take snapshots in my mind of the natural beauty of animals. 

6) An artist you've currently been listening to: Coldplay; although they have been around for a while, I always come back to them. 

7) A pet peeve: People who brag. 

8) The best part of the design process: Sourcing different textures, patterns and colors, as this inspires my creations. 

9) A language you wish you could speak: German, my father is from Germany. I used to have to go to German Saturday School in California, but I rebelled and refused to speak it! Now I wish I was more fluent. 

10) Future dreams and goals for the Katja Tamara label: My obsession is for people to own versatile pieces in their wardrobe and not to take themselves too seriously. I think a lot of the rules of fashion have been broken and it's not about recreating the wheel but reinterpreting it. I would love for my label to be carried by influential people on a world stage and by moms out on a Saturday night.  

~

What do you think of Katja Tamara's gorgeous clutches? Shop her designs on ilovedesigner.com!

10qq with saloni.

 Launched in 2010 through the Parco Next NEXT Project here in Singapore, Saloni Rathor is a label that celebrates bold and expressive women and has a firm grasp of unique tailoring for the feminine form. The pictures above are from Saloni's latest collection (SS13) entitled "Elements," clearly inspired by all that Mother Nature has to offer: warm earthy textures, vibrant blooms, rushing rivers and forest foliage. Decadent yet never excessive, Saloni Rathor's brilliant designs are a must-have for the fashion-conscious woman. Here, Saloni opens up about her life as a designer, both in and out of the studio.

1. Favorite fashion week: PFW was the best. I love the level to which the Paris shows perceive fashion and possibly how the human mind works too. They definitely aid me in being limitless when it comes to being creative. It also shows me the dreams and imaginations of many coming to life in the shows through how the presentations are put together.

2. Beauty trend you dislike the most: I think as long as the person carries off the trend well, people can look good and different in the craziest of trends. That being said, something that ticks me off are fake, long curved nails!

3. What you do to wind down on the weekend: I spend time with my husband and friends - catching up with debates, movies and fun time. Of course work is always a part of my weekend, but it's more of observing and watching new things to inspire me.

4. Favorite movie: The Notebook and the Motorcycle Diaries. 

5. 2 things you always have in your bag: An eye pencil and a notebook.

6. A childhood dream of yours: To be a dance choreographer; it's still a dream of mine so maybe in my next life!

7. Where do you find yourself on a typical Saturday night? Saturday nights I'll be out catching up with friends who are busy during weekdays. Good music in the company of my husband and friends are the best remedy to recuperate my mind. They are a strong source of support for me and help me balance leisure with work. 

8. A place you've always wanted to travel to: Paris. I would love to see the architecture, culture and fashion especially since it's been talked about so much and said to inspire so many. I have to see it in person and experience what it does to me!

9. Something you think is overrated: Experience in any work field is overrated, even new borns can create magic!

10. A band you've recently taken a liking to: Angus and Julia Stone, their songs are light and can swing you into a romantic mood.

~

Check out Saloni Rathor on Facebook. 

+ Charlotte from The Style Obsessed Cookie interviewed me! Check it out here.

10qq with zoe.

Meet Zoe Suen, the uber-stylish Hong Kong based teen blogger behind the wildly successful Fashiononymous.net! She's stunning and her wardrobe is absolutely to die for - as you can see in the pictures above! Read on for a little taste of Zoe...

1. A designer item on your wishlist: the Dion Lee reflective knit! So rad.
2. What you're most likely doing on a Saturday afternoon: Eating too much food, reading or going on the computer (slash attempting to do work).
3. Your favorite school subject: English.
4. A celebrity fashion icon of yours: I'm going to be cliche and say Alexa Chung because she can do no wrong!
5. Something you'd never be caught wearing: Neon shiny leggings - aahh!
6. Your favorite season: Fall - even though it only lasts two weeks in Hong Kong.
7. Your favorite piece of jewelry: My watches! I feel totally disoriented without them.
8. The last book you read: 'Madame Bovary' by Gustave Flaubert. So. Good.
9. If you could pick a designer to design your summer wardrobe, who would it be? Probably Sass and Bide or Dion Lee; Australian designers have the best summer clothes.
10. A hairstyle you'd really like to try: Messy, wavy, collarbone length hair à la 4th&bleeker. So cool!

+ Follow Zoe on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Lookbook, Formspring

10qq with zack.

Meet Zack - an amazing singer, entertainment journalist, die-hard Taylor Swift fan and my best friend. With a job as Entertainment Editor for Popspoken and a worryingly large number of music gigs every week under his belt, Zack Hourihane is a social media butterfly (4.5K followers on Tumblr say what?!) with big dreams, overflowing talent and extraordinary potential. Check out what he has to say in this month's 10 Quick Questions segment! 

1. Favorite song of the moment:

Right now the song that's constantly on replay for me is a Miley Cyrus cover of a Bob Dylan song "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go." It's a beautiful guitar ballad about a summer romance coming to its inevitable demise. The thing that I really love about this cover is the intense emotion Cyrus pours into the tune. Bob Dylan is an excellent song writer but not the best vocalist, so covers of his songs are often more beautiful than the originals. Miley's country twang really adds another dimension to the song and accentuates the bittersweet dreaminess that the song exudes.

2. Elaborate on your crazy Taylor Swift obsession!

It's really difficult to articulate how much I love Taylor Swift! It's going to end up sounding stupid and immature, but I'll try my best not to make it that way. My adoration for Taylor is much more than a simple celebrity obsession. I feel like Taylor is an old friend of mine; someone who is constantly there for me, even when people fail to appease me. She has a beautiful, consoling, thought provoking song for every emotion you could think of, and I really appreciate having that instant access to immediate stress relief. I also generally think she has a beautiful soul - obviously I don't know her personally, but from what I can tell from her music (which says a lot about a person) is that she's thoughtful, intelligent, kind, and inspiring. I have so much to thank Taylor for, as her songs have helped me through a lot of hard times.

3. Biggest achievement of 2012?

Probably performing at Westport music festival in Ireland this summer! It's really fantastic to have the opportunity to perform consistently in Singapore, but it was incredible to have the opportunity to perform internationally. It really meant a lot to perform in my homeland too, as I got to have my extended family see me (who wouldn't necessarily get the opportunity to see me perform) do what I love. I also got to play a song by an Irish band, which was perfect and extremely apt given the circumstances. Getting partnered on my YouTube channel was an amazing thing to happen as well, I've been trying to get partnered for so long and when it finally happened I literally jumped for joy! Another highlight was getting signed on as an entertainment journalist for Popspoken! I've had such a blast working there so far, and I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store for me with them.

4. Current food crush?

Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips. I don't recommend trying them, they will ruin your life. 

5. Something you're looking forward to? 
Right now I'm really looking forward to finalising a contract with a management I've been in discussions with for quite some time now. I'm also looking forward to the end of this exam year, and with that - the summer! This summer I'm going to Ireland to see my family and then to America for some college scouting and a Taylor Swift concert. I'm stoked, it's going to be fantastic. 

6. Top two pet peeves?

I really hate it when people are too clingy with me. I love having friends around and hanging out with the people I care about, but when it becomes too intense and too full on with one person I get really annoyed and I pull back from the friendship a lot. Especially when I see the person a lot, like in class or outside of school. 

I also don't like rude PR people! This is one of my biggest annoyances. I don't like it when companies act like they're doing you a favor or they offer you some crappy product reward instead of a monetary compensation when asking to book you for a job. I need money to survive, I don't want your stupid vacuum cleaners! 

7. A goal of yours for 2013?

I really want to achieve good exam results! I've been working my butt off studying for our mock exams, and I hope that this level of studying and hard work is reflected in my grades. I'd like to make my parents proud, to thank them for all they've done for me in terms of my education. 

8. Favorite thing to do in your free time?

Make videos, play guitar, sing, read, watch TV shows.

9. Worst fears?

I'm deathly afraid of birds. I had a frightening encounter with a peacock when I was little, and the fear spread to every bird species and I just can't deal with them. I hate even being in somewhat close proximity, they make me feel really anxious and scared. 

10. Advice for aspiring singers?

It's important to develop an artist identity and not to lose it when you develop or become more successful. No matter what any person tells you, if your personal style or sound works for you and you like it, you should never change for someone else! It's totally up to you how you handle and conduct yourself too, so make sure you're always professional when around seniors who could better your career. 

+ Check out Zack's Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram and Tumblr!
+ Sorry for skipping out on January's 10qq - exams left me with no time to pull together an interview!
 

10qq with fiona fussi.

Referred to as "confident," "leggy," "fresh-faced" and "stunning" by the number of publications she's graced, Fiona Fussi isn't one you can miss. Whether you recognize her from magazine covers like HerWorld/Nylon Singapore, you happened to be taking a stroll through Ion a couple months ago only to see Fiona posing in a Kikki.K paper dress, or - get this, you happen to have spotted her face on Singapore's public buses, Fiona has achieved leaps and bounds after her 2011 victory of Elite Model Look Singapore. After a life-changing experience at the Elite Model Look World Finals in Shanghai, Fussi returned to Singapore and, quite simply, took the modelling scene by storm. With thousands of loyal followers on each of her social media platforms and a career that has made her a local household name, dubbing her "Singapore's Sweetheart" suddenly sounds like a vast understatement. Read on and find out more about what it's like to live in Fiona Fussi's shoes!

Photo credits to Fiona Fussi/fussi.com

1) What was your first modelling experience?

My first experience was at the Elite Model Look Singapore 2011 competition, I had never done any modelling before that. 

2) What made you apply for the Elite Model Look competition in Singapore?

I had always been interested in the entertainment industry, being in front of the camera, communicating with people; whether it was modelling, singing, acting or hosting. I first saw a Facebook page about the competition which intrigued me, and because there was an application process where I could apply on the website in the comfort and convenience of my own home, I decided to apply online. 

3) Tell me about your time in Shanghai during the World Finals:

It was such an amazing experience, the best way to describe it would be a hundred times better than camp. To have 60 girls from different countries come together for a common ambition and to be the first person to represent Singapore in Elite Model Look was pretty incredible! What surprised me the most was how open and kind many of the girls were, especially the girls in my chaperone group. We were sorted depending on the continents we came from - the ‘Asian’ group ended up becoming a family!

The Finals was at the Mercedes-Benz stadium with 1,500 people watching, so I learnt some tricks and tips about making sure heels that were too big for us didn’t slip off! My linguistic skills also came in handy when speaking to make-up artists and hair stylists from  from different places and cultural groups. The toughest part was probably leaving Shanghai and saying goodbye to my friends. Even though I made friends from different parts of the world that I still keep in touch with, it was definitely the hardest to leave my ‘Asian’ group. We all became sisters, and when we left the hotel one by one there were tears and hugs, it was very bittersweet.

4) How did you get involved with the Audi Fashion Festival?

The Managing Director of Audi was interested in having me as the face of the Festival; he thought I was fresh and well suited for the role and he believed in my potential. It was a great experience and an honour to be able to walk in all of the Future Fashion Now shows because it was my first professional show and I got to work with amazing designers and models. 

5) You were on the cover of NYLON Singapore and HerWorld Magazine (twice!) - What was that like?

I really enjoy doing cover shoots because I love to see the final product in stores, and I actually get to see where all my hard work has gone. Even though they are pretty short-term since they’re only up for a month, I think it’s a great privilege to be the cover or face of a magazine.  

6) Juggling high school with a full-on modelling career must be difficult. What do you do to relax? What's the hardest part of balancing your two separate worlds?

To relax I like to hang out and have sleepovers with my best friends, watch TV shows, sing or go for a run or swim. The hardest part of balancing my modelling and high school life is definitely having the energy to do both. In the beginning I thought the biggest issue would be having enough time, but after that, I’ve realised it’s also physically having enough energy to wake up at 6am, go to school for 7 hours and then have a 5 hour shoot, and then do homework afterwards! I managed to walk in the Audi Fashion Festival during my IGCSE exams, but I can already predict that managing my IB diploma with modelling will be even more challenging. 

7) Who do you have to thank for helping you come this far?

I would thank the Elite Model Management Singapore team for believing in me and presenting me with so many opportunities, especially my booker, Bonita, who has been incredibly kind and understanding towards my schedule. Also, my mum and dad who allowed me enter the Elite Model Look Singapore competition in the first place - without their support I wouldn’t have made it this far. I also would like to thank my friends at school for being so encouraging and positive towards all the new assignments I’ve been doing and everything I’ve been going through.

8) If you could change anything you've done in your modelling career so far, what would you change?

I am very happy with the course my modelling career has taken, but if I could change something, I would somehow find a way to have made it to Paris Fashion Week Fall-Winter 2012, because I was given the opportunity to, but had to reluctantly turn it down because it was during a school week. 

9) What would you christen as your proudest moment in your modelling career so far? 
It would have to be my first magazine cover, which was my Her World March cover, or being chosen as the face of Audi Fashion Festival 2012. 

10) Any advice for aspiring models?

I would say that if you’re doing it for the right reasons, and you know that it’s not as glamorous as it seems, you should believe in yourself and keep trying because anything is possible.

+ Check out Fiona's agency Basic Models here, and like their Facebook page here too!
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