Above: Sabrina Ho, 16, student at Anglo-Chinese School (International)
For the last couple of years, she’s been her mother’s date at fashion events and accompanied her overseas on shopping trips. Being the daughter of Belinda Chua, founder of Flower Diamond Boutique, and attending fashion events means Sabrina has Marc Jacobs frocks hanging beside Forever 21 tops in her wardrobe, and she’s constantly exposed to how the grown-up, stylish party set dress.
But nowadays, her look has evolved very much in her own direction. She knows exactly how she wants to dress. “I like to be trendy and wear the latest styles, but I also just love the designs of certain pieces, their mix of colours and having beautiful things around me,” she says.
That translates to simple clothes and fashion-forward accessories. She loves Balenciaga bags for their timeless but edgy look – she has six, her most recent being a hot pink one that’s too big and bright for school, but perfect for shopping. For her feet, limited edition designer sneakers and skateboard shoes from labels like Nike. For jewellery, rings, “I have tonnes of them – I’m not even sure how many. Most of my favourites are from my mother’s collection, though five are from Juicy Couture – I like its chunky, cool designs.”
To complete a look, watches – she has more than 10, from Toywatch to Chanel and Bell & Ross, though her favourite is her Cartier Santos. All are carefully kept in a multi-compartment drawer that’s lined in hot pink.
Still, her mother remains an influence. If she wants to add to her collection, whether it’s jewellery or pricier bags, shoes and clothes (she spends an average of $1,000-$5,000 on her pieces) she has to ask mum. “I need to give her four good reasons why I want to buy something. My first one is usually ‘It’s new’,” she says. The bigger-ticket items are usually gifts. The most valuable – in both monetary and sentimental terms – is $10,000 diamond pendant from her mother for turning sweet 16.
But the tables are starting to turn: Her mother named the Flower Diamonds Sabrina line, a line of jewellery aimed at younger customers, after her. And she has been asking its namesake for design ideas.
Get a copy of the September 2010 issue of Female to read about Singapore’s Leading Fashion & Beauty magazine. Female published by SPH Magazines is available at all newsstands now. Selena Vera Hey is a writer with Female magazine by SPH Magazines. Check out more stories at Female online, www.female.com.sg.
