Home in focus: Aunties go green on catwalk

Interest group at Teck Ghee Community Club creates outfits from recycled materials

From left: Madam Annie Phua, 64; Madam Lilian Lim, 63; Madam Tan Lee Yong, 52; Madam Cindy Goh, 62; Madam Wendy Cheang, 65; Madam Jasmine Chan, 60; Madam Angeline Tan, 59; Madam Yong Kim Yin, 62; Madam Lindy Foo, 68; and Madam Lily Yap, 68, at the finale
From left: Madam Annie Phua, Madam Lilian Lim, Madam Tan Lee Yong, Madam Cindy Goh, Madam Wendy Cheang, Madam Jasmine Chan, Madam Angeline Tan, Madam Yong Kim Yin, Madam Lindy Foo, and Madam Lily Yap at the finale of their fashion show on Aug 18. Led by Madam Cheang, these women are part of Teck Ghee Community Club’s modelling interest group, which was formed in 2013. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
From left: Madam Jasmine Chan, Madam Tan Lee Yong, Madam Annie Phua and Madam Lilian Lim putting on their make-up in the dressing room backstage in preparation for their fashion show.
From left: Madam Jasmine Chan, Madam Tan Lee Yong, Madam Annie Phua and Madam Lilian Lim putting on their make-up in the dressing room backstage in preparation for their fashion show. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Housewife Lily Yap, a mother of four and grandmother of seven, with two of her grandchildren who turned up to show their support. Her family is extremely supportive of her participation in a modelling interest group.
Housewife Lily Yap, a mother of four and grandmother of seven, with two of her grandchildren who turned up to show their support. Her family is extremely supportive of her participation in a modelling interest group. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Housewife Lilian Lim (second from right) in a dress constructed from photocopying paper packaging. The packaging is folded and then stapled together to form the pleats of the dress. Madam Lim collected the packaging from a relative who works at a bookstor
Housewife Lilian Lim (second from right) in a dress constructed from photocopying paper packaging. The packaging is folded and then stapled together to form the pleats of the dress. Madam Lim collected the packaging from a relative who works at a bookstore. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Residents of the community attending the Teck Ghee Wellness National Day Celebration Lunch where they watched a fashion show by the modelling interest group on stage on Aug 18.
Residents of the community attending the Teck Ghee Wellness National Day Celebration Lunch where they watched a fashion show by the modelling interest group on stage on Aug 18. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Madam Lily Yap (front, left) and Madam Annie Phua (front, right) during a full-dress rehearsal for the Aug 18 fashion show. Through a modelling interest group, the members have created a support network for themselves.
Madam Lily Yap (front, left) and Madam Annie Phua (front, right) during a full-dress rehearsal for the Aug 18 fashion show. Through a modelling interest group, the members have created a support network for themselves. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
Madam Wendy Cheang (right) and Madam Jasmine Chan checking their outfits in the mirror at the dance studio on the second floor of Teck Ghee Community Club before a full-dress rehearsal.
Madam Wendy Cheang (right) and Madam Jasmine Chan checking their outfits in the mirror at the dance studio on the second floor of Teck Ghee Community Club before a full-dress rehearsal. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Madam Cheang (centre) watching the women rehearse a dance. The grandmother of one leads the group in simple dance and aerobics movements during their weekly sessions to keep everyone active
Madam Cheang (centre) watching the women rehearse a dance. The grandmother of one leads the group in simple dance and aerobics movements during their weekly sessions to keep everyone active ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
From left: Madam Lily Yap helping Madam Tan Lee Yong secure her outfit as other group members, Madam Lindy Foo, Madam Yong Kim Yin and Madam Jasmine Chan, wait backstage for the start of the fashion show. The group, which meets weekly, has up to 20 member
From left: Madam Lily Yap helping Madam Tan Lee Yong secure her outfit as other group members, Madam Lindy Foo, Madam Yong Kim Yin and Madam Jasmine Chan, wait backstage for the start of the fashion show. The group, which meets weekly, has up to 20 members aged between 45 and 70. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Madam Annie Phua getting ready for a rehearsal. Her blue outfit is woven together from empty packets of Oreo biscuits she had eaten and the hem is lined with leftover Christmas decorations from her home.
Madam Annie Phua getting ready for a rehearsal. Her blue outfit is woven together from empty packets of Oreo biscuits she had eaten and the hem is lined with leftover Christmas decorations from her home. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Madam Lilian Lim (left) and Madam Annie Phua wait backstage for the start of the fashion show. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
The modelling interest group performs at Teck Ghee Community Club for the Teck Ghee Wellness National Day Celebration Lunch on Aug 18, 2019. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
A montage of the women from Teck Ghee Community Club modelling interest group - (From top left, clockwise) Madam Angeline Tan, Madam Lily Yap, Madam Wendy Cheang, Madam Yong Kim Yin, Madam Cindy Goh, Madam Annie Phua, Madam Lilian Lim, Madam Jasmine Chan, Madam Tan Lee Yong and Madam Lindy Foo. Formed in 2013, the group comprise up to 20 members aged between 45 to 70, and meets every Wednesday at the centre. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Madam Wendy Cheang (centre) leads the Teck Ghee CC modelling interest group during a performance at the community club. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
(From left) Madam Tan Lee Yong, Madam Jasmine Chan, Madam Angeline Tan, Madam Yong Kim Yin, Madam Wendy Cheang, and Madam Lily Yap wait backstage for the start of the fashion show. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Madam Jasmine Chan (extreme right) and Madam Tan Lee Yong pose in the dance studio during a full-dress rehearsal before an upcoming fashion show. Through the interest group, the members have now created a support network for themselves, and built up their confidence in making public appearances. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Madam Lilian Lim (right), a housewife, works on her dress with the help of another group member as they put together a dress made from the photocopying paper packaging that she collected from a relative who works at a bookstore. The packaging is folded and then stapled together to form the pleats of the dress. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Neo Xiaobin
Updated
Sep 02, 2019, 11:43 AM
Published
Sep 02, 2019, 05:00 AM
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Under the spotlights on a Sunday afternoon, a fashion show proceeded apace at Teck Ghee Community Club. Stylish floral appliques, one-of-a-kind head pieces, and pops of bold primary hues contrasted with classic black, white and metallic silver, all featured in the avant-garde designs of next year's spring/summer collection inspired by the environment and nature.

The appreciative audience comprised elderly residents of the community attending the Teck Ghee Wellness National Day Celebration Lunch on Aug 18.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 02, 2019, with the headline Home in focus: Aunties go green on catwalk. Subscribe

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