Two is better than one

This Valentine's Day, there is something better than toting the latest It bag.

That is, having a fashionable partner for arm candy.

Five couples tell Urban how they have influenced each other in terms of style, what fashion mistake they hope their partner would never make again and style tips they have picked up.

You might argue that such sartorial chemistry boils down to pheromones and, certainly, scientists and fragrance companies have long searched for the elusive molecule that triggers human sexual attraction.

If you have used Donna Karan's spicy and woody Black Cashmere eau de parfum, you will want to read about Ms Trudi Loren, who helped create it. The senior vice-president of corporate fragrance development for Estee Lauder Companies is now focusing on making scents for Asian consumers.

Meanwhile, also courting the Asian consumer and beyond are Singapore models-turned-bosses. Three of them - Ase Wang, Sheila Sim and Lum May Yee - recently started their own businesses. Hard work is essential, but they admit that fame does help too.

For these stories and more, check out Urban, out with The Straits Times every Friday.

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