MOST STYLISH WOMEN 2020 (and one man)

We spotlight the singular women and families who have perfected the art of fashion as the ultimate in self-expression.

- Jeffrey Yan

Our group of stylish people this year know all too well the power of dressing up. Fashion to them is not merely about the act of buying and wearing clothes, but something approached with purpose and intent in order to project a thoughtfully calibrated identity out into the world. What we put on our bodies speak volumes about who we are and these people know precisely what they want to say. Whether to command the attention of any room they walk into or to telegraph their wholehearted devotion to a designer’s vision, the 12 individuals we have profiled here all display an unwavering, unapologetic commitment to expressing themselves to the fullest.

AISYAH AZIZ 26, Singer

How would you describe your style?

My staples are pretty much all black. I don’t usually go for colours; instead, I think of how I can wear things differently. Sometimes, I’d cut up my shirts or wear a blazer backwards. It really depends on my mood that day. When I’m feeling girly, I really like to show skin.

Do you get pushback as a Muslim woman showing skin in the public eye?

I released a Malay track last year and after the visuals came out, half of the viewers were like, “Oh, we wish you covered up more.” But the other half said that they loved that I was being myself. With my visuals, that’s what I want: To push boundaries so that girls can feel a bit more free in how they choose to dress. Especially in Malaysia, where it’s more conservative, having half the audience accepting that is already a start. I’m not trying to hurt anybody, I just want to be myself.

Who are your musical icons?