Taking time to smell the Roses
After 10 years of hard work, homegrown singer Kit Chan wants to
spend more time with her family and on herself
By Camilla Chiam
TURNING 30 could be a sign of introspection and change for
homegrown singer Kit Chan.
KIT YOU NOT: Black tasselled bare-back top ($89.90).
PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAN LIM
She is in love, having met her Singaporean boyfriend, in his late
30s, at a gathering last February.
At the opening of her second boutique, Roses In The Loft at Plaza
Singapura, her face lights up at the mention of him.
'I've become less edgy. My friends say I'm glowing. Even my
hairdresser remarked that I've become 'girly',' she says with a
broad smile.
Chan sees herself getting married, but does not see it happening
anytime soon. She says: 'I haven't made any solid plans to tie
the knot yet. I want to spend time planning it properly. All I can
say is that it will be an intimate outdoors event.'
She also stars in her first Mandarin musical, What's Love About,
alongside Hongkong singer Kenny Bee and Taiwanese actor Wang Bo Sun
in Taipei next February. There are also plans for it to be staged
in China, Hongkong and Singapore.
'I'm taking time to enjoy a fuller life. I've paid my dues. It's
time to nurse my soul and try to spend more time with my family,'
she says.
'You can't act and sing forever and I don't want to be a 'yao
jing' (evil spirit) who hangs around. I have to accept the fact
that younger artistes like Stefanie Sun will take over.'
FLOWER POWER: Chiffon blouse with floral embroidery ($125) with
hipster jeans ($49.90).
Eschewing commercial ballads, the Mandarin pop star chose a blend
of chill-out tunes and electronica beats for her latest Mandarin
and English album, Dreamscape. Although the album has sold a
modest 5,000 copies since its release in September, critics
praised her push for creative expression.
Also, her foray into Singapore musical theatre proved successful
when she took on the role as Empress Dowager Cixi in Forbidden City,
as part of the Esplanade's opening ceremony.
Tickets were sold out and her performance drew critical acclaim.
The versatile artiste, also known for her humanitarian work in
Ethiopia, describes the last 10 years as 'pure hard work'.
Looking curvaceously sexy in a black tube dress with floral trim,
she explains how she came up with the store's name.
'For this boutique, I envisioned the storyline of a girl moving
into a loft. We wanted something with a romantic flower theme and
roses represent femininity, so we decided on the name Roses In
The Loft.'
The 333-sq ft boutique hopes to follow the success of predecessor
Flowers In The Attic, which opened at The Heeren two years ago.
Both are managed by her partners, Iris Wong, 28, and Shell Wong, 30.
TAKE KIT EASY: Black tee with sequinned and beaded tassels ($69.90).
Flowers, a bohemian-chic shop that caters to teenagers and carries
funky outfits from Hongkong, counts celebrities like Sun and Tanya
Chua as customers. It had an annual turnover of $300,000 last year.
Chan says: 'Roses represent smart casual clothing. The lines are
cleaner and it caters more to working women.'
Its items are sourced from Hongkong and Korea, and include casual
cotton tops ($19.90) to a lace spaghetti-strap embroidered dress
($99). There are also raw sea-shell belts ($39.90), diamante
brooches ($22.90) and antique watches from flea markets in London
and Melbourne, from $220.
But those hoping to catch a glimpse of Chan at the store can forget it.
'Men have come into Flowers looking for me, but I'm never there.
Iris and Shell are full-time staff and draw a salary, but I don't,'
she explains. 'I get a share of the profits and contribute money
and time when I can.'
But will she ever give up her singing and acting career for business?
'Never say never,' she avows. 'But I wouldn't mind becoming a
homemaker for a while after I get married.'
Laughing, she adds: 'And the media won't be invited to my wedding.'
Roses In The Loft is at B1-05A Plaza Singapura (tel: 6338-4438).
Open 10.30 am - 10 pm daily.
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