Aperçu duo downloads on style

Koon Lim and Catrine The are the talented (and stylish) creative duo behind Aperçu, the Singapore-based label that's fast gaining traction the world over for its bold yet clean aesthetic. Here, they spill about icons, style-savers and sample sale acquisitions.

Tell us, what's your personal style

Catrine: There are two sides to my style. On one side, I am hopelessly addicted to basics and simplicity. On the other side, I love new trends and am not afraid to follow them slavishly! This pre-fall season, I am into brights and keeping things simple. Think pop-coloured cigarette pants, airy cotton tops, and cool shoes that spoil the foot rotten.

Koon: My style varies according to the climate I’m in, but it never strays far from well-tailored pieces. Every detail counts when it comes to shirts and I can never have enough of them (even if they're in the same colour). Someone I look up to in terms of style is Stefano Pilati. His style is all about dressed-up Italian-cool and looking like you’ve not put too much effort into it. 

What in your wardrobe can't you live without?

Catrine: I will never give away my wool balloon coat from United Bamboo that I got at a New York sample sale seven years ago. The label is best known for deconstructed designs and architectural shapes and has been one of my favorite brands since college.  

Koon: Striped tees are my style-saver! They go with every pair of pants I own. But it’s my Robert Geller pants that will grow old with me. They have accompanied me since they were originally jet black in colour to now where they are a faded deep green shade. 

What inspired you with the A/W collection? What about it makes you proud?

Koon: The black and white movies with Greta Garbo in them. She's known to be the world’s first androgynous style icon. Our FW11 collection encapsulates her style; a style that is defined by simplicity, confidence and a degree of wholesomeness. I am most pleased with how the tailored pieces have turned out. The shaping of wool-peplum pieces were most challenging to construct and I have never spent so much time correcting any garment as I have these tailored pieces. After overcoming this challenge, I feel like we can do anything.

Catrine: When Koon said Greta Garbo, I could hear the drumroll for a forties silhouette. I have always loved and wanted to do a collection revolving around that era. The whole idea is to capture Greta Garbo's off-screen moments. What would she wear? I can only assume crisp mannish tunic shirts, mysterious high-collared wool coats paired with oxford shoes, styled in a no-fuss manner. Her legendary soundbite, "I want to be alone", sets the moody vibe of this collection. 

The most difficult part of the creative process for me is overseeing how each piece communicates with the rest in terms of colours and fabric coordination. To be able to achieve the right balance gives me great satisfaction. Now we can close the book and open up a new chapter.