Style trip: Brimming style with fashion shows and luxury bargains

I had my moment of Fide Fashion Week infamy when I was namechecked by festival chairman Frank Cintamani.

Referring to a report I wrote in September lamenting that only one local designer was taking part, he corrected me on a technicality during his closing remarks after the Love, Bonito show: "There were 16, not one."

I had no idea what he said before that because I was busy editing an Instagram video until I was nudged and looked up.

Mr Cintamani repeated my name and I did a lame thumbs-up, wishing I had remembered to suck in my stomach.

I am not made for the fashion spotlight and was reminded why I hate the front row.

But I do love fashion shows and Fide Fashion Week, held at Marina Bay Sands, delivered.

It was three festivals in one - Women, Men and Couture.

Eleven days of fashion shows is no easy task, so kudos to the team for making it work.

There were dramatic moments - like the Guo Pei show, with models looking like imperial courtesans; and Frederick Lee's dark and feathered collection with clothes that looked like what Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, would wear.

There were fanatic moments - kids screamed when Korean pop stars Rain and G Dragon turned up.

There was also a moment for The New Paper New Face alumni because a clutch of them walked, including Sara Chan (2008), Irina Tan and Zianna Zainal (2010), Sharin Keong (2012) and Karyn Tay and Tan Ying Yi (2013).

There are more fashion moments to be had.

Supermodels Heidi Klum and Naomi Campbell are heading our way for the upcoming Digital Fashion Week, which starts on Nov 1.

British designer Holly Fulton is having a show while British Vogue creative director Jaime Perlman will make an appearance.

The winner of modelling reality series The Face, Devyn Abdullah, 21, will be walking with some New Face alumni.

And then there is the legendary Club 21 bazaar sale on Thursday at the Pit Building on Republic Boulevard. The annual sale has top luxury labels selling past season items at crazy discounts.

My worst traits surface during the sale: I swoop in and hog anything that I am remotely interested in. I usually end up buying one out of the 30 items I pick. There must be no shame when faced with a bargain.

I may be an ugly Singaporean but damn it, I look fabulous, especially on the cheap.

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