“There were clothes that felt more like a costume in the performative sense – I didn’t want that,” he said. “I wanted to wear clothes that really felt like me, felt like the traditional version of my everyday wear, so I can feel like myself, but elevated.”
Naturally, people who noticed him dressing this way responded in different ways, ranging from genuine awe to bafflement.
“One of the most common questions I’d get is, ‘Not hot ah?’” he said. “The thing is, because I chose the right materials for Singapore’s weather, I know that what I wear isn’t going to be that hot – at least not as hot as most of the stuff made of polyester I used to wear, no matter the design.”
Some moments have stayed with him. Once, while walking around central Singapore, he noticed a group of men who kept staring.
A few times, strangers would stop him mid-step to wish him “Selamat Hari Raya!” or “Selamat pengantin baru!” (Malay for Congratulations to the newlywed), or ask if he was heading to a performance.
