Most Stylish Women 2018

A cast of eight fashion-forward mavens embrace style in all its diversity.

- Gerald Tan

MARGIE VAN ELTEN BLOMMAERT

With an arresting head of ash-coloured tresses framing her sharp features, it doesn’t take much for Blommaert to stand out. Regardless, the former model, talent booker and home care nurse turns heads and cuts a figure of cool in a wardrobe she describes as “practical”, but also steeped in attitude. Think: Aerodynamic knits worn with futuristic-looking dresses from Louis Vuitton, grounded with sensible sneakers or boots for an unexpected twist. This predilection for thinking out of the box is perhaps influenced by her frequent adventures across the globe. “One of my favourite cities in the world is New York,” the 51-year-old says. “Just the unpredictability of the place invigorates me.”

LAYLA ONG

Gamine features, a waifish demeanour and an awkward-yet-endearing presence… 22-year-old Ong is leading the renaissance of Singaporean models who are making inroads in the international modelling arena. Her biggest claim to fame? Strutting her stuff down the runways of Gucci. “I couldn’t believe it was real even moments before I was due to step on the catwalk,” she remembers. It also goes without saying then, that she considers Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s Creative Director, as one of her fashion heroes. His talent for making the old new again has perhaps rubbed off on her: She can be seen criss-crossing the streets of each fashion capital in her comfortable vintage finds. “I’ve stopped buying new clothes ever since I discovered the wonders of thrifting,” Ong adds, citing New York’s Crossroads as one of her favourite haunts.

JUN JI