CLUB21 x SHENTONISTA CAMPAIGN
September-October 2014
Club 21 is a local luxury multi-label retailer, established in 1972. SHENTONISTA collaborated with Club 21 to usher in the recent opening of several flagship stores at the exclusive Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. We gathered and shot a group of some of our favourite personalities and influencers, all togged in the latest threads from Club 21’s newest stores—Proenza Schouler and 3.1 Phillip Lim—and coiffed by the good people at PREP. Beyond the content posts on the SHENTONISTA website that ran across two weekends, we were also involved in organizing the Club 21 x SHENTONISTA Sartorial Contest, inviting Instagrammers to contribute photos of their outfits and items from Proenza Schouler and 3.1 Phillip Lim.
SHENTONISTA was in charge of curating the influencers, and the planning, organization, production, styling, photography and content creation of this campaign.
Ciao Bella
Bella, Entrepreneur, Dress 3.1 Philip Lim, Shoes 3.1 Philip Lim, Bag 3.1 Philip Lim.
Bella’s dream workspace probably differs from what most of us would have in mind—among other things, she’d like her office to be outdoors, and non-air-conditioned. “No computer screens,” she adds. “Just a pen and a notebook.” Out of the ordinary, yes, but it suits Bella just fine. She believes in living life slow, and taking time out to centre herself. “Lunchtime plays the most important role in determining how you function at work. A short lunch break by yourself at a cafe or somewhere quiet two to three times a week can be restful and rejuvenating,” she says. “Enjoy some me time, and steer clear of colleagues who complain about work or give negative comments about their bosses.” Other things that make work life simpler for Bella include having a black tailored outfit for rushed mornings, pumped up with a bright lip colour. “It’s hard to go wrong with that.” If she had to pick a work outfit to live in for the rest of her life, however, she’d go minimal— “An oversized, short-sleeved black jacket; a white tee; a pair of drop-waisted black pants; and a pair of pointed flats”—super easy, super comfortable. And to add to that, Bella says the best accessory to any outfit is a pleasant countenance: “If you can’t dress well, at least smile a lot at work. It makes everyone happy to see you.”
At Ease
Lesley, Content & Communication, Top Proenza Schouler, Skirt Proenza Schouler, Bag Proenza Schouler, Shoes 3.1 Phillip Lim.
If she could wear a uniform of sorts to work every day, for the rest of her life, Lesley would choose to wear a t-shirt dress and sneakers—something easy to throw on, and easy to move about in. Her biggest pet peeve when it comes to the way some people dress for work, she says, is when women wear overly tight and short bandage skirts and dresses. “It just looks very unprofessional; you should be dressed to do your work. Skirts should be kept to an appropriate length and fit, and tops shouldn’t be too revealing,” she says. “It might sound very prudish but I think it’s possible to look well-dressed and put-together even if you’re in a conservative ensemble.” Even though she’s only been working for about two months, Lesley has a clear idea of what her ideal work environment would be like: supportive, and friendly, she says, “because it makes all the difference, especially on days when I’m feeling overwhelmed.” That, plus an open-plan layout, with lots of space and natural light. “And plants,” she adds. “Plants make everything better.”
Golden Girl
Nellie, Advertising, Top Proenza Schouler, Skirt Proenza Schouler, Cuff Proenza Schouler, Shoes Proenza Schouler, Bag Proenza Schouler.
Along with her signature stack of bracelets, rings, and necklaces, Nellie loves her heels, and she’s rarely seen without them; she believes that “a cute pair of heels” can amp up any outfit, even a plain shirt and jeans. “Heels are a huge part of my wardrobe,” she says. Describing her style as casual, edgy chic, Nellie also says that she has started to invest in clothes from international designer labels because she believes in spending money on quality. It helps that she works in an industry that has an open dress code, which allows her to exercise her creativity. “I’m generally a huge fan of people dressing up for work, and my only pet peeve would be when people don’t bother,” she says. “Have fun, experiment with different styles or a different colour palette to make your day a little more exciting because you’re dressing up in something different!” Something else that gets her excited about her job is when she gets to work with like-minded people. “People around me play a huge part in creating an ideal work environment,” Nellie says. “I feed off people’s energy and love to be surrounded by young, energetic and enthusiastic people who are extremely passionate in what they do.” We think Nellie’s colleagues are pretty lucky to have her too.
Different Strokes
Min-Li, Lawyer, Jacket Proenza Schouler, Pants Proenza Schouler, Bag Proenza Schouler, Cuff Proenza Schouler.
Min-Li looks impeccably dressed, but this comes from experience, and she laughs at several memorable faux pas she’s committed in the past. “Where do I begin?! From unintentionally plunging necklines, to heels that have snapped, to wearing jeans to a meeting where everyone was in suits even though it was a Saturday—I have seen and done it all.” She puts all this behind her, however, and today her style is simple, but classy and stylish to show that she means business; staple pieces in her wardrobe include “the perfect button down shirt, a beautifully cut jacket, and a wonderful pencil skirt.” “At work, the focus should be on performance and the way you dress should serve to highlight that you are serious about your job, not about the way you look,” Min-Li says. Learning from her mistakes is also something that gets her by when she’s working. “I used to be a control freak and would take everything personally, but I realised that this would kill me sooner or later!” she says. “I have learnt to not be so hard on myself, to forgive my mistakes as long as I learn from them, and by the same token, to be more forgiving and giving with the people I work with.” And the most important thing for her to have at work? “My wits about me.” Wise words indeed.
First in Class
Paul, Banker, Jacket 3.1 Philip Lim-Pants, 3.1 Philip Lim, Bag 3.1 Philip Lim.
Paul’s classic sense of style comes from—believe it or not—his days as a young schoolboy, where he says the crisp white shirt and navy bottom combination was ingrained into him. “They are colours that I wore day in and day out for 10 years of my life, and I’ve been comfortable with them ever since.” He is as comfortable in a timeless ensemble as he is in this sports-luxe getup, but keeping it simple is his mantra for now. He does say that his workplace style has evolved over the years, however: “It’s gone from prints to purely white or light blue shirts.” The one thing he wouldn’t wear, though, are work shirts with breast pockets. (“Not my thing,” he declares.) But even then, Paul plays with different ties and socks to add a little bit of expression and personality to his outfits, accompanied by “a smile and a positive attitude”. This easy-going outlook applies itself to his approach to work as well—his advice, when things get tough, is to simply “let it go”, and always remember why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Speaking Volumes
Kelly, Self-employed, Dress Proenza Schouler, Clutch Proenza Schouler, Cuff Proenza Schouler, Ring Kenzo, Shoes Proenza Schouler
Kelly may look demure in this structured dress, but you’ll also find her in edgy, street-inspired ensembles, or more minimal, monochrome outfits. This style chameleon wears anything that she is comfortable in, and recommends that everyone have something timeless in his or her wardrobes. “Be confident in what you wear, have your own style, and know what the focal point of the clothes is,” she says. The perfect dress for work, she adds, is not too revealing, has an appropriate length, and is versatile enough for different functions. That, plus “a nice pair of heels, both edgy and comfortable” would form her workwear staples. When it comes to her job, Kelly looks for a place that allows her to continuously learn and grow. “Good team work and a good relationship between the staff is equally important,” she says. “Without this, nothing can be accomplished.” Beyond this, she has also learnt prioritize her time outside of the office. “No matter how hard you work, you must always remember your family,” she says. “Spend more time with them, because they’re the people who support you no matter what.”
The Beaming Girl
Aiwei, Teacher, Top 3.1 Philip Lim, Pants 3.1 Philip Lim, Jacket 3.1 Philip Lim, Bag Proenza Schouler.
Beyond teaching at a design school, Aiwei dabbles in a host of other creative activities—she makes music, does films, sews and knits quirky clothes and accessories, illustrates, and turns old books into pieces of art. Everything she can get her hands on, basically. Aiwei’s mishmash of influences and projects is reflected in her personal sense of style; we all get the sense that only she could pull off an outfit as eclectic as this. She chooses an above-the-knee, loose-fit A-line dress as the one thing she could wear for the rest of her life, but we’re pretty sure it would be different in some way—with a bright graphic or vintage-inspired print, or in a mass of colour-blocked segments. Aiwei believes in a simple phrase to make sure she always looks spiffy: “Dress for the occasion.” If she had her own office space, Aiwei would like it to be in a place with huge windows, somewhere in the woods. “But with internet access,” she adds, laughing. “And with music. Life without music is like a fish trying to live on the land, to me.”
BEHIND-THE-SCENES
CLUB21 X SHENTONISTA SARTORIAL CONTEST
For the full campaign, click here.
