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updated 9 Nov 2013, 22:17
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Sun, Nov 03, 2013
The New Paper
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by Yeoh Wee Teck

Actress-turned-director Michelle Chong has a fashion rule she adheres to.

"My thighs dictate my fashion direction."

Her personal style also revolves around covering up.

The Left Profile artist said: "My usual look is a pair of jeans, a jacket and a top that doesn't make me look too fat."

She explained: "I'm terrified of the cold, so I'll always need a jacket, and jeans are easy to wear."

Chong, 36, loved dressing up as a teenager, but fame has made her "lazy".

"When I went into this line, I was always being dolled up. I got sick and tired of being so elaborately styled.

"I'm lucky that when I'm attending an event, there are people picking stuff up for me.

"But when it's for my personal time, who cares what I wear, right?"

Chong said shopping is far from her favourite activity.

"I don't enjoy shopping. It's a chore."

To get by, she shops in between work.

"During an overseas shoot, if we are filming at a restaurant and there is a break, I'll run next door to shop. When the shoot wraps, I'll just go pay for it."

But she does have her indulgences.

"I do own a few designer bags, all from Bottega (Veneta). Guess that's the comfort price level for bags."

An entry level Bottega costs about $3,000, while bags made of exotic skins can easily set you back $10,000.

Today, Chong is also known as a director.

Her first feature film Already Famous (2011) was selected as the Singapore entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 85th Academy Awards and her followup, 3 Peas In A Pod, hits cinemas on Nov 14.

"Now that I'm directing, I'm less conscious of what I wear. I just wake up and go, unless there is media (around) doing behind-thescenes shoots.

"I try to dress up then. I don't want to scare the readers."

Catch Chong and the 3 Peas In A Pod cast Calvin Chen, Alexander Lee Eusebio and Jae Liew at meet-the-fans sessions at Plaza Singapura (Nov 8, 7pm), Bugis+ (Nov 9, 2pm), VivoCity (Nov 9, 7pm) and City Square Mall (Nov 10, 3pm).

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