Self-Expression

Can you please introduce yourself?
Hello, my name is Nur Alfian. I’m currently 21 this year, and in my free time I like to dress up, browse through vintage Japanese magazines for style inspiration, and play games on the PS5!

We see that you’re actually carrying some of the Japanese magazines with you! Can you tell us why you enjoy collecting them?
I personally enjoy collecting them because they bring out a sense of nostalgia for me. I was born in 2004, so I didn’t actually grow up experiencing the fashion or pop culture of those earlier decades, but for some reason I find it so interesting to look back and see the cultural elements, especially in Japanese culture, of what was happening at the time and how it was reflected in fashion.

Why do you like Japanese fashion?
I’m a fan of Japanese fashion, especially subcultural styles, because they feel so authentic—people are truly expressing themselves by challenging societal norms. There’s a Japanese saying, “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down,” which really reflects the nature of Japanese society. I think this idea applies to much of Asian society as well, where there’s often pressure to conform to expectations.

How do you usually express yourself?
I always tend to express myself and my feelings through dressing up, and I also sometimes like to put on make-up. I feel that it’s quite important for me.

We also understand that you studied beauty—how did you get into that?
I think when I was young, I was interested in seeing make-up on other people and the process of it being applied, so I told myself why not give it a shot in ITE since there’s an educational track for it? We didn’t just focus on beauty, but other facets of it as well, like spa treatments and what not, so it was quite an interesting experience.

Did you enjoy studying it?
I think there were moments where I did enjoy it, but like any normal human being, there were some moments that I didn’t enjoy, which was mainly the environment for me.

Would you consider pursuing beauty as a career?
I think it’s something that I would look back on fondly for sure, but it’s just one chapter of my life and it’s done—people grow up and sometimes change their ambitions.

So what are your ambitions now?
Something more towards the arts. I think my response would be quite clichéd, but since I was young I’ve always liked creatively expressing myself. I’d watch Barbie doll videos growing up and I always liked the way the dolls were dressed, the details and the face moulds, the makeup and all that, so that’s been a fascination of mine since I was young.

Any particular artist or designer that inspires you today?
Vivienne Westwood. I think she’s very interesting because of how she founded the brand and styled the Sex Pistols. I find it quite cool how she dressed the members up in elements of the brand’s clothing with punk and grunge elements.

Speaking of clothes, how often do you shop?
I now shop maybe at least once a month. I have to think about my budget and my financial situation (laughs).

Relatable! Then what’s one fashion holy grail piece you’d love to add to your collection?
Honestly, there are a lot of things that I want, but one that’s currently sticking out in my mind is the mesh shirt from the Aya Takano X Issey Miyake collection. It’s such a beautiful collection, but I’d especially love to own the mesh shirt—or maybe the umbrella, since I’d probably use it more. I already have way too many clothes at home anyway (laughs).

On that note, what are your thoughts on sustainability in fashion?
I feel like sustainability is definitely the way to go, especially considering how much clothing waste we’ve produced as a human race. It also really makes you think more creatively—for example, when it comes to fashion, how can you style the same piece over and over again? That’s one of the reasons I love going to thrift shops. You see all these hand-me-downs, each with its own story and history. I think it’s really nice to know that you’re giving a garment a new life and continuing its journey.

Any particular thrift stores you’d recommend?
Fairies Aisle, because I feel like the pieces they carry really match my style. In terms of pricing, their clothes are also much more affordable compared to other curated fashion stores I’ve seen. Plus, I know the owners—two sisters—and they’re really nice and lovely!

We’ll definitely have to check them out then! Finally, what’s one lesson that you’ve learned this year?
One lesson I’ve learned is to take time to reflect on your journey. And also to think positively, but at the same time, not invalidate your emotions. I think that balance is so important. Forcing yourself to always be positive might help in some situations, but if you don’t take the time to really understand what you’re feeling, you end up repressing those emotions and bottling them up.

Change isn’t easy—it can be really shocking sometimes. But I’ve learned that you just have to trust yourself and have confidence that you’ll stay afloat. You’ve got this!