Recently, we had the opportunity to sit down with The List’s Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Amy Yasmine. If you’re not familiar with The List, you should be because it’s where you want to go for all things high fashion.
After residing in London for nearly a decade, Amy decided to come back to her home country, Malaysia and lend her expertise in fashion by joining The List. Amy is a graduate of the London College of Fashion and began her promising career by assisting runway shows, fashion PR agencies and reporting on international fashion weeks. She also had short stint as the European Editor of The Front Row (Kazakhstan) and PR to Prix Chloe Award Winner, designer Steven Tai.
So, we decided to ask this super witty and fashionable lady a few questions and here’s what she had to say:
What is fashion to Amy Yasmine?
The ability to say a thousand words without having to open your mouth.
When did you know that fashion would be something you would make a career out of?
Probably back in primary school, when I used to get told off for sketching outfits during math class. But my interest with fashion was probably borne out of my obsession with the film Clueless. 18 years down the road, I’m still wondering what happened to Cher Horowitz’s white collarless shirt from Fred Segal.
How challenging is it to be the Editor-in-Chief of a fashion title?
It is challenging, of course — as with any professional title. However, if you enjoy the work that you do despite all those long hours and hectic schedules, you really wouldn’t find it as challenging as doing something you never sought to do.
What inspired you to start The List?
The idea for a platform such as The List actually came about three years ago when I was back in Kuala Lumpur for a short holiday. Having observed the changes in the market, I realised that Malaysians were getting more and more interested in fashion but were limited to the amount of sources that could expand that interest. The amount of talented designers emerging from Malaysia is also growing far more than it has ever been before, but what concerned me most is the awareness of such brands existing, which is significantly lower than its rate of expansion. This is what The List aims to do — to connect the world with what we have to offer and at the same time, introduce and inspire readers from this side of the world with content that would otherwise be unheard of.
What’s your favourite item from your closet and why?
Perhaps a pair of Sophia Webster heels purchased a few months ago. They sported an angelic-like heel that’s quite out of this world, and most definitely a conversation starter! There’s a special place in my heart for quirky shoes — all heels, of course.
How do you feel about the local fashion scene?
It has definitely come a long way considering the array of emerging talents we have today. Society has become more accepting of fashion, and clearly so as the number of fashion publications have increased significantly over the past few years. However, as with any developing market, there are still many kinks that needs to be ironed out. It may take some time, but our local fashion industry needs to find its own voice in a sea of overpowering noise. There are too many trends being emulated again and again and we need to stop following others and instead finding our own unique identity to be reckoned with.
In what ways can KLites improve their sense of style?
It’s not a matter of improving, but more of accepting and being more comfortable with expressing oneself by means of clothing. There are no rights/wrongs to fashion as one man’s meat can always be another man’s poison, but as long you’re comfortable with expressing yourself on the surface, you’ll look great no matter what.
What trends should we look out for in 2015?
For SS15, the Seventies are definitely making a comeback. Flared trousers, halter-necks and platforms are definitely key pieces this season. If you’re feeling a little experimental, there’s this season’s new layering: skirts over trousers or skirts over skirts, quite like what an apron would do. But for a quick wardrobe fix, denim is back on everyone’s radar and what better way to cheat the fashion pack with piling on all that denim you’ve kept in the closet? Think ‘Americana’ and Madonna in her ‘American Pie’ video — sans the bull machine, of course.
What is a big no-no for you when it comes to fashion?
Jersey. Anything jersey. Unless it’s loungewear. Also, the combinations of shorts, heels and/or anything sleeveless gives me the creeps.
Who is your style icon and why?
Not one that I’ve got in mind, but perhaps a consolidation of a few personalities that have hugely impacted the way I dress. Lee Radziwill for her timeless elegance, Fran Fine from The Nanny for her fearless confidence, Jenna Lyons for her knack for mixing prints and Dave Grohl for his laid-back Californian grunge attitude. More so than that, I tend to channel my own personal mood, and that reflects what I put on in the morning.
