Ringed with love

Ringed with love

Suria actress, TV host and businesswoman Nurul Aini Abdul Rahim considers herself a "bag freak".

The 32-year-old, better known as Nurul, has bought about 30 bags, from brands including Chanel, MCM, Prada and Marc Jacobs.

But when it comes to accessories that she absolutely cannot do without, she points to the five rings that have never left her fingers.

Each ring is a gift from her police officer husband of six years, Sofian Roslan, and each is linked to a special memory.

"He gave me the first ring in 2000 when he asked me to be his girlfriend. I have worn it for 14 years and have never taken it off. The other four are rings for our engagement, wedding and first and second-year wedding anniversaries," Nurul told The New Paper.

The stylish mother of two is also the co-owner of online fashion boutique Studiofrost, which she runs with her best friend and sister-in-law Diah Mastura Roslan.

But Nurul admitted that she had not always been interested in fashion.

"I used to be conscious of my height and long limbs and would slouch with my fingers and toes curled in so people wouldn't see. I never cared for fashion then," she said.

When it comes to fashion faux pas, Nurul said she used to own a pair of jeans that were green and maroon.

"Even on my first date with my boyfriend (now husband), I was wearing a baggy sweater and jeans," she recalled with a laugh.

It was when she started her first job as frontline staff member at a hotel that she took an interest in make-up and dressing up.

These days, Nurul will splurge on bag buys, but turns to the likes of Topshop, Forever 21 and ASOS for her clothes as they provide a better fit for her tall 1.72m frame.

IMPULSE BUYS

When asked about her worst fashion mistakes, she said: "I used to buy clothes that are either too small or unlike me. For example, brightly-coloured apparel."

But since she ventured to Kuala Lumpur this year to take up acting roles, the impulse buys have proven handy, she said.

"I don't know what I was thinking when I bought a midi skirt in lime green. It will never suit me, but it was perfect for Juwita, the character I portray in TV drama series Kasih Berbisik."

"It makes it hard for me to throw things away because you never know when it might be useful. Unfortunately for my husband and children, it means I take over their wardrobe space."

GOING GIRLY

For this actress-host, feminine frocks are something for her younger years.

But once in a while, Nurul will throw on a dress for shopping dates with girlfriends or romantic dates with her husband.

"When I was in my early 20s, I preferred dresses because I wanted to look mature. But now, I've ditched them for jeans to hide my age... it's like I'm in a crisis! But I love to dress both ways - feminine or simple," she said.

When shopping for maxi dresses, the tall and slender actress swears by ASOS because the clothes provide a "perfect fit". It is where she bought this long purple number.

KEEPING IT CASUAL

When she's not glammed up for shows and hosting gigs, Nurul prefers to keep things simple.

Her go-to outfit? A laid-back pairing of ripped overalls, a cotton blouse and espadrilles, inspired by her fashion icon and Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker.

"I first saw her in a similar outfit on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and was taken by how gorgeous she looked. She can wear anything and look so effortlessly beautiful. That's when I fell in love with this look, which suits my personality well. I now own about four overalls," said Nurul.

She added: "It also makes it easier to run after the kids."

GRACING EVENTS

"Peplums never seem to go out of style, don't you think?" asked Nurul Aini.

For the lanky actress, a formal peplum dress like this is her secret to giving the illusion of a sexy figure.

"I'm quite shapeless so this cuts nicely at the waist... I am not curvy - this helps. I will wear this when attending events and go over the top with make-up... maybe smoky eyes and nude lips," she said.

SPECIAL SOMETHING

This full-length black dress with sequinned neck and sleeve details will always have a special place in her heart.

It was the dress that she had tailored specially for Studiofrost's first ever fashion show, in June at Village Hotel Changi.

Since then, Studiofrost has had customers asking for the dress to go on sale, hoping to sport the same classic look.

"It's one of my favourite dresses ever," said Nurul.

"It's simple yet elegant. I will never give it away it has a lot of sentimental value."

ashikinr@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on September 02, 2014.
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