GS05 x Shentonista: Tuned In

Featuring

Herbert
Media

Wearing

Jacket

Wtaps

Shirt

Stussy

Herbert is a big fan of local music, and shares a list of his favourites. “The likes of Stoned Revivals, Side Show Judy, The Padres, the Oddfellows, Stomping Ground, I Am David Sparkle, Kopi Kat Klan, the BoredPhucks, Bushmen, Astreal, Great Spy Experiment, Riot in Magenta, those being celebrated in the recent So Happy: 50 Years of Singapore Rock, and many more,” he says. “They’ve been the soundtrack to my life from youth till today and have shaped my tastes in music, and many other parts of my life, I’m sure.” We find out what other things make him tick as we speak to him.
1. Do you have any problems with the dress code at work? How do you personalise your outfit?
Nope, not at all. I feel that personalization, for men at least, is more of a subtle art. It’s in the cut of your suit/shirt/pants, the materials you choose when tailoring, how you match your shoes, watches, cufflinks, the tie you wear and the bag you use.
2. Do you have any fashion pet-peeves when it comes to workwear? Or do you have any advice for dressing up for work?
Ties. I hate ties. With a vengeance. They’re ridiculously uncomfortable for me. I still wear them when I have to, obviously, but we have a “need to wear” understanding, me and ties. On advice for work — my only advice is to wear what makes you confident. Obviously a level of professional decorum should always be adhered to – if work determines that you suit up, suit up. Don’t try to rock that T-shirt and leather jacket no matter how confident you are.
3. How did you come to start working in your current industry? Was this something you’ve always wanted to do?
I’ve come to my current employ to fill a specific gap within the set of skills/experience I have, thus this is more of a something I feel I need to do to be more complete.
4. If you weren’t working in your current profession, what would you be doing? Or, if you could do anything you wanted to do, what would it be?
If I wasn’t at my current profession, I would be bumming, #justsaying. As for something I always wanted to do? I have always wanted to get paid to live – if that makes sense, to be in a position to explore my life/self and to have a commercially viable product spring from that exploration. So maybe it’s in craft: a jewellery designer, a clothing designer, a leather craftsman, maybe.
5. What is one piece of advice you’d give to anyone who’s just starting work? Or a lesson you’ve learnt at your time at work?
Always wear clean underwear.
6. What would your dream workplace be like, in terms of the actual physical space and working environment?
I’m simple, so lots of wood, clean, soft lighting, good music, good people. Good people being the most important naturally – company, it is what the word stands for.
7. What is one thing you think you should be doing more of, or that you wish you had more time to do?
I wish I had more time to surf, skate, play more music, paint, create new things. And yes, similarly, I should be doing more of these things.
8. Could you tell us about a personal project that you’re working on right now, or that you would love to undertake?
I’m working on various things currently — I’m working on some jewellery, some sculpting and some leather craft. It’s nothing to shout about yet, I think my skills are still quite rudimentary, but you never know, you just might see something towards the end of 2015.
9. Can you name us something Singaporean that’s close to your heart? It could be your favourite local dish, home-grown musician, particular location, etc. 
There are plenty; I have a strong affinity to places that I grew up in, no matter how much they have changed. Katong holds a special place in my heart, and so does Bedok and Lucky Heights. In artists, who else but our very own Mr Sabotage himself, Mark Ong, who has been representing the scene for the past 12 years. Maybe it’s because we get drunk together a lot, but also because he has always been true to himself and constantly evolves beyond.

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