DAVID GAN, IN HIS 40S, HAIRSTYLIST

Love him or hate him, no one can argue that Malaysian-born David Gan, who officially became a Singaporean last year, is one of Singapore's most famous coiffeurs.

Be it Fann Wong's too-short straight-banged do in Channel 8's TV drama Making Miracles or Zhang Ziyi's sleek locks at the 2005 Oscars, Gan's work always makes people talk.

Despite having helped beautify a bevy of regional luminaries - including actress Zoe Tay and a Brunei princess - Gan still reckons that his greatest achievement so far is becoming a Singaporean.

How have you contributed to the Singapore beauty scene?
I've contributed passion. Not just my salon Passion in Palais Renaissance but also the effort in my work. I go out of the way to do work for international stars but I still continue to do work in Singapore.

What struggles did you face along the way?
That people like comparing my work with others. They don't look at an individual's style.

What is the Singapore look?
The Singapore look is "rojak". It can be anything, it can be high-end cosmopolitan, or it can also be really dull. But one thing the different styles have in common is that it's clean. Clean as in not dirty, but also not very creative.

Which aspect of the Singapore style would you change?
Cannot be changed, but inspiration can come from TV and magazines. I'd want to style all the artistes who appear on TV, then Singaporeans may get influenced and change their styles as well.

I feel that it's too boring and too safe now. When they do something loud, they don't really know how to pull it off either.

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