Style Profile: Issa Tcieu [Fashion Designer/Blogger]

While I was away in Singapore, not only did I get the opportunity to see Hussein Chalayan's show, but I also got to sit down and have a chat with the stylish fashion blogger Issa Tcieu from Singapore. Her blog, Issa | Tchieu, features her own style posts plus other cool fashion finds. Scroll below for the full interview!

 Nick: Who is the person behind the lens usually?
Issa: [Laughs] My hubby. It makes more sense because you spend so much time together that you’d know each other’s schedule. Evidently, that also means that whenever I feel like doing a shoot, he’ll be able to come to my rescue.

N: You’re so lucky to have someone that close and easy to reach! Did your hubby do photography before?

I: Well, I had to teach him some tricks first because sometimes, it’s not easy getting someone to know the kind of pictures you want. Sometimes when you put on a great outfit, you don’t want it to go to waste but at the same time, you can’t exactly scream at the photographer because he didn’t shoot it properly. [Laughs] But at the end of the day, it’s the process that makes it all very rewarding.

N: What is the one thing you need in a wardrobe?

I: Shoes, definitely. I normally shop for shoes that make a statement. I don’t usually go for stilettos or simple heels but I always go for the ones with a strong aesthetic to it. It tells a story and I think it speaks a great deal about your personality. For me, I tend to go more minimalist.

N: It definitely tells a lot about the person. But then, I also see you as a bit of a fashion chameleon with the looks you’ve posted…

I: Of course! I like to stay as versatile as I possibly can. It’s very much like the weather where sometimes I feel like going all out in colour and on other days I wear something monochrome. I always see those trend reports in magazines but say for example, when colour blocking was a hit, you can’t possibly wear everything colour blocked right? Besides, there are so many clothes out there that you wouldn’t ever have to just stick with one style.

  

N: So what would you tell someone who doesn’t have much of an idea of how to wear something?

I: Explore, know who you are and just be yourself! The moment you realize that, you’ll be able to style things according to your personality. So, say when something is on trend, what I would do is to style it my way instead of how others would tell me to do. It’s never cool to copy directly because sometimes, you won’t feel confident wearing somebody else’s style. Start from baby steps. Accessorise a little and it’ll go a long way!

N: While we’re still on the topic of shopping, can you tell me where you’d shop in Singapore?

I: I would say the Mandarin Gallery because other than the usual slew of international designers, they also have some local designers who take their designs to another level. The price tag is a little high but they definitely have the strong aesthetic that I always look for in clothes. And I always think that such pieces can also be investment pieces because it’s definitely something you can wear over and over again.

N: So are there any designers that you particularly admire?

I: Maison Martin Margiela hands down! Every time I go to the store I go speechless.

N: Is there anything you’d like to see improve in Singapore [in terms of fashion]?

I: Well, it would be great to see some local designers with more of an individual voice. It’s quite disheartening sometimes to see designers having to succumb to the market but at the same time, I do understand that they require the support of a parent company. I have to say it takes a lot of boldness as well because, being in a commercial industry, the trends are the things that sell.

N: Okay! So now for a random question – Prints or plain?

I: I’d go for plain.

N: Heels or flats?

I: High heel stilettos! I’m not 180cm so I need the heels. [Laughs]

N: Blogger or Wordpress?

I: Blogspot.

N: Woot! But blogger is quite frustrating sometimes… Have you ever deleted something in a post and then it saved automatically?

I: OMG yes! I cannot tell you how many times that has happened. Thankfully, my hubby is an IT guy as well so he usually helps me with any technical issues…

N: [Laughs] So I guess you have the whole package then?

I: Definitely!

N: So after blogging for several years, what are you most proud of?

I: It would probably have to be a spread in a magazine a couple months back. This stylist contacted me through email and asked if I was interested to be in a feature for the world’s most stylish bloggers/fashionistas. It was a huge deal to me and it was definitely an honour to be featured in print.

N: Last question, what is your favourite blog to read?

I: Check out Love Aesthetics. It’s a great minimalist blog and the blogger Ivania does a really good job of sticking to her aesthetic.

Thanks again Issa for meeting up with me in Singapore!