Going Places

We caught up with Shengnan for the second time, once again sporting her signature brightly-coloured lipstick and a bold outfit. The fashion-forward professional has a wide repertoire of styles, but if she had to wear a uniform of sorts for the rest of her life, Shengnan says it would be pencil skirts paired with a simple shirt or tank top, or jumpsuits. “They are my favourite garment inventions, and they suit me perfectly.” Her preference for minimalism is not restricted to fashion, and spans across all aspects of design. Her dream workplace, Shengnan describes, would have “open spaces without much decor or furnitures, a big desk, and a nice view from a giant ceiling window”. The office environment also needs to be “casual and cosy, but tasteful and professional” — much like her personal style. When we last met, Shengnan was still trying to achieve a sustainable work-life balance. Now, she is committed to a personal project this 2016: travel for leisure. “My work trips cover quite a few countries but give me no time to enjoy, relax and explore.” Drawing the line between work and play, Shengnan hopes to have more autonomy in her travel destinations, allowing her to get the most out of each experience. “My target countries for 2016 are Cambodia, Japan, Spain, France, Australia, and New Zealand. I’ve also already booked my flight to Myanmar — the first time I feel in control of my own holidays!”