Day 8

Daniel Boey, 43, show producer

He has injured his leg twice this year in the line of work but there is no stopping this home-grown fashion guru, who turns 43 today.

Arguably Singapore's most prolific fashion show producer, he was behind about 10 top fashion events in the local calendar this year. These include the successful Singapore Fashion Festival (SFF) in April, Singapore JewelFest in October and the recent shows held here by Louis Vuitton to showcase its spring/summer 2009 looks to the regional press.

To top off a good year, cutting-edge American design magazine Surface invited him to style a fashion spread which appeared in its November issue.

What's your ideal present for Christmas?

The rare, Japanese-made Weltron 2005 turntable from 1979. Thanks to collector and good friend Loh Lik Peng, my interest in retro designer furniture has grown over the years. I have also been an avid collector of 7-inch & 12-inch vinyls since my secondary school days so when I saw the Weltron, I knew I had to have it.

What was the best thing that happened to you this year?

Seeing the Asian models and designers at SFF hold their own against, if not outclass, their Caucasian counterparts. It proved that the right Asian faces can sell a product as well, if not better, than Caucasian ones.

What was the worst?

Feeling burnt out and falling into a creative void post-SFF. There were moments when I was tempted to give up my work and it took six months of travelling to help me recharge.

What's your wish for 2009?

I hope to be less accident-prone. I tripped on an escalator during SFF and tore my ligament. I also fell down the stairs at a recent Louis Vuitton show and twisted my right ankle.

Wish list (from left in Photo 8)

1. 1970s Sanyo turntable with speakers, $250

2. JVC Video sphere ball television, $480

3. 1950s Continent wooden valve radio, $450

4. 1970s Philips portable radio, $150

5. 1980s Telefunken colour television, $480

6. Wooden AM/FM tuner, $250

7. 1979 Weltron2005 turntable with built-in AM/Fm stereo and 8-track player and speakers, $980

8. White television on pedestal, $580

All items from Lorgan's The Retro Store, 01-03 Century Warehouse, 100E Pasir Panjang Road

Photographer: RAYMOND LEE @ Capsule; Creative director: JEROME AWASTHI; Make-up: BENO LIM for M.A.C; Hair: ASH LOI (9365-5404) for Estique Studio using Schwarzkopf; Location: White Rabbit restaurant-cum-bar; Special thanks to Lorgan's The Retro Store for the vintage furniture and Robinsons for Christmas decorations

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Dec 19, 2008.