Christopher Chua is the Managing Director of Blink Design Group, the creative force behind the interior design of a string of hotels and resorts under luxury brands such as Conrad, Hilton, Regent, Jumeirah, Langham, Marriott and Westin. In his industry, good design is always purposeful and brings out the essence and authenticity of a location. Purpose is also what drives the fashion choices of this 34-year-old who is known to take fashion seriously and is particularly drawn to well-made shoes and bags.

Dressing for the right occasion is important to him. Seeing his outfits as reflections of himself, he makes his fashion choices carefully. On a typical day at work, which includes business and staff meetings, he could be wearing a bespoke suit under an independent designer shirt, jazzed up with a Zegna pocket square, Bottega Veneta shoes and a Ferragamo belt.

 

1. You often hear the phrase, “looks don’t matter”. Do you agree with this statement?

Tricky one, but I'd have to disagree. We're making split-second decisions all the time and a lot of how we perceive the world and other people is visual. To me it's not so much about looking perfect; there's something appealing about looking confident in your own skin and what you are wearing. It's about the combination of statements that a person puts together every day, whether it took them an hour or 10 minutes, as it offers clues to their personality and even their moods or emotions. For me, when I have a tough day ahead or I’m not feeling in top form, a good outfit could be that boost I need, something that says “I'm okay”.

 

2. What’s your style personality?

Comfortable eccentricity. I like something that is different, but it has to work for me. I don't wear too much colour but when I do, I go with a versatile palette. Every now and then an item may catch my eye, something I wouldn't usually go for. When there’s a suitable occasion, I’ll pair it with my basic pieces to create a brand new look. I'm not someone who seeks out luxury brands. Rather, I try and mix it up with what I've got. For example, I could top off Uniqlo's basic clothes with something slightly flashy.

I believe style is about having the confidence to add an element of personal accent to any outfit. The pocket square here, the coloured laces there, the quirky socks peeking and so on... just a little attention to detail is enough to make a style statement. I'm also always on the lookout for good tailoring; it can be the key differentiator that separates a good outfit from an ordinary one. In my opinion, the boldness to commit to a look without appearing too contrived shows not only a distinct taste but also a degree of approachability that adds to one's style.

 

3. Who/where do you get your style inspiration from?

Pinterest (I have a board of fashion pins!), GQ magazine (love this), The Sartorialist (a website), and my partner who's in the couture industry.

 

4. Relate a fashion disaster that you've had.

The way I look in the morning, or packing the wrong clothes for a countries climate or.. URGH, wrong shoes!  I'm definitely a shoes/bags kind of guy.

 

5. In your opinion, do clothes maketh the man or do man maketh the clothes?

Definitely the man maketh the clothes. Imagine American musician Pharrell Williams’ style on English celebrity Eddie Redmayne… both best-dressed men. Or a suit on Justin Bieber… I don't think it would make a difference whether it was Tom Ford or Tan Fard (fake name).