She can well afford designer gowns, but DeFred Jewellers managing director Sharel Ho would much rather design her own.

Dressed in one of her creations, a fiery red evening gown with a racer-front neckline and long train, the confident 40-year-old says designing her own gowns allows her to show off her best features - her shoulders and legs.

Fashion writer Stacey Chia speaks with Mrs Ho, corporate lawyer Min-Li Tan and Million Lighting chief operating officer Nana Au-Chua about their gorgeous gown collections for next month's cover story of The Life digital magazine.

In this issue, too, discover lesser-known Hong Kong shopping areas such as the old Police Married Quarters complex, Tai Ping Shan Commons and Gough Street, with Urban magazine writer Gladys Chung. The metropolis has a burgeoning independent retail scene where hip fashion and lifestyle merchandise may be discovered at a relaxed pace on small streets, away from the bustle.

The Life also wanders around urban farms that have sprung up all across Singapore. Life! journalist Lea Wee finds out that not only are Singaporeans growing vegetables and herbs along Housing Board corridors, the rooftops of malls are also budding with green life.

Stand a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy S6 edge 4G+ in this issue. There are four up for grabs. For contest details, check out the April issue of The Life.