I wrote my first article for Urban almost a decade ago, when I joined The Straits Times as an intern during my university term break.

It was a fun story about how the dowdy People's Park Centre in Chinatown was actually a treasure trove of shops filled with affordable but trendy clothing and accessories. I had discovered the stores while shopping for fabric with my mother and aunt.

Over the years, Urban has garnered a loyal following using the same concept: stories on style with a local twist.

The magazine does not pretend that it has helped to launch the careers of some of the top local fashion designers, models and make-up artists before they became stars in their own right. But it certainly spotted their potential and profiled many of them when they were barely known.

When it is not reporting on local happenings, it has its pulse on international fashion and beauty trends.

Whenever I mention that I write for Urban to a Singaporean, he or she will voice an opinion. For instance, some readers tell me that they fight with their siblings or colleagues for the Urban magazine every Friday.

Other readers compile four issues of Urban, then read them all at the end of the month. It is their way of treating Urban like a regular glossy that keeps them up to date on the latest style news.

And, occasionally, I hear of people fastidiously collecting and filing every issue of Urban, so they have a compilation of useful fashion and beauty advice at their fingertips (because some information can never be found on Google).

Urban has come a long way. But in line with the exciting revamp of The Straits Times, this is its final issue.

The Straits Times will continue to cover international and local fashion and beauty news in the new Style section that will front the Life! section every Thursday, starting next week.

Inspired by those who collect every issue of the magazine, Urban has compiled some of the most useful fashion and beauty tips published in the popular Ask Urban column, in the cover story.

Thank you for reading Urban and look out for the new Style section next Thursday.

GLADYS CHUNG
gladysc@sph.com.sg

ASK URBAN

Have a beauty or fashion-related question that you need answered? Post your questions on our wall and we'll give you some advice.

WIN!

A summer beach kit from skincare label Lancaster that is worth $122. It includes a tote bag, beach towel and its SPF 20 Sun Sport Dry Touch Gel Radiant Tan product for face and body. Ten winners will be selected.

Answer this question: Lancaster has more than 40 years of UV expertise. True or false?

E-mail your entries with your full name, NRIC number, address, e-mail address and contact details to sturban@sph.com.sg. Indicate URBAN/LANCASTER as the subject. The closing date for entries is noon on Monday, June 29.

The winners of last week's URBAN/HABA contest are:
1. V. Bathamahvathi
2. Maudrene Lim
3. Kwee Yin
4. Jacynth Lee Su Jean
5. Saemah Khalid
6. Jillian See Shu Xin
7. Yeo Chay Yan
8. Gladys Niew Kai Qing
9. Chan Shuyi
10. Kaliyana Mayalaku