For The Living

Tell us more about yourself!
I’m an interior designer, and I started out in this line not too long ago. Before this, I used to be in the F&B business, and did a bit of sales in mens fashion as well.

Did your time in sales and fashion inspire your current style?
Yes, I’m very into the Italian style because when I was selling menswear, we needed to know how to dress well in a full suit, with a tie and pocket square. This was how I got inspired to dress up in a more polished way.

What fashion advice do you have for others who are looking to dress better, in more tailored looks?
I don’t want to sound too bold or come across too rude, but in Singapore, the people who are into menswear have to learn to tie a necktie the proper way, with the dimple and all, and also pair it with a nice pocket square. Style-wise, I’d say locals can be a bit more daring as well.

Going back to what you do for work, it seems like you’ve made quite a few career switches. Tell us more about what this has been like for you.
For me, it’s all about the experience. I like to experience different things, even in my job, and with all of these different experiences, I’ve gained a lot of skill sets that I can apply in any job and industry, even my current field of interior design.

So true—life is all about experiences! We know you’ve just started out in the field, but what’s been the most fulfilling part of interior design thus far?
I think it’s being able to pick up on small little details that I never would have been able to in the past. And also learning how to do perspective drawings. Basically to be able to do something that I never dared to do in the past. It’s a new challenge for me!

One last question: tell us more about your tattoo!
It’s not completed yet, but the meaning behind it is growth. My aim is to put sakura flowers on it to colour it eventually, maybe when I achieve something for myself. But I did this base quite recently in Bali—it’s a funny story.

My wife and I were in Bali, and there was a pasta shop across from our hotel. The pasta was very good, but I got indigestion from eating it, and I woke up the day of my tattoo appointment at 3AM or 4AM puking and running a fever. But eventually I decided to go ahead with the tattoo even though I was half dead—I felt the pain but had no energy to react and was asleep half the time during the session, but it’s all good (laughs).