Lani Chan, 54, Single
Club 21 Style Services Manager
Describe your style.
Eclectic. I do not stick to one thing. Working in this environment, I should
not get stuck in a rut. I love colour and interesting shapes. I love volume too.
On a petite person, it can look really cute.
I tend to look for interesting details, shapes and fabrics and I like mixing
high and low. Sometimes, I like to rock a classic jeans and blazer look.
Who are your favourite designers?
I have different brands for different things, but for a long time, I have
loved Belgian designer Dries van Noten. He is an intellectual designer and it
comes across in his collections.
I admire Giorgio Armani as well. He does not veer from his vision of
classical tailoring.
Do you have a style icon you admire?
Audrey Hepburn. She has an enduring style and, in those days, they did not
have people to put an image together. Till today, I think a lot of people are
still inspired by her looks - the ballerinas, the capris, the turtlenecks, the
jackets with the cape. I love capes.
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What are three of your favourite pieces?
My grandmother - who was always beautifully dressed and died last year - had
a fabulous collection of fabrics she had not made into clothes, so I had this
skirt made (photo 1). It is a brocade fabric and I love this 1950s shape. I also
love trenchcoats. This floral one (photo 2) is from Marc Jacobs and I layer it
with shorts or a little dress.
Do you have a weakness when it comes to shopping?
Shoes. I think it is because my feet are very small and shoes my size are
rare. I'm almost a 35. For people with small feet, I say if the shoes fit, just
buy them.
I run around, so I need them to be comfortable, as well as pretty. Sometimes,
I buy multiples.
What is your favourite splurge piece?
I have loved this Dries van Noten skirt (photo 3) forever. It has beading and
embroidery. It is one of the first things I bought from Dries, a splurge at the
time.
This is my new Proenza Z cross-body (photo 4), a recent splurge. It has
everything I love about handbags now - it's a crossbody, but not too tiny.
Have you gotten any amazing deals?
I love the raw edge of this Lanvin gown (photo 5), the exposed detail. My
colleague at Club 21 picked it out for me. She was like, "Lani, you have to come
get it."
She is very stylish, so when she said, "come and get it", I just did.
It was on sale, probably more than 50 per cent off.
Is there a gifted item in your closet that you love?
This Anteprima trenchdress (photo 6) is from a friend, who clears her closet
often. I wear it with a tutu skirt underneath for volume. I feel very Audrey in
it.
What was a recent purchase?
This Marni top I'm wearing.
What is the best shopping or style advice you live by?
Buy because you love it and it matches something else in your wardrobe, not
because it is cheap. And try to buy something you will wear for some time.
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