Cover Mother-daughter duo Caroline Low-Heah and Elizabeth Heah (both pictured in the centre) share their favourite fashion memories of each other and how they are connected by a special Chanel bag. (Photo: Tatler Singapore)
Mother-daughter duo Caroline Low-Heah and Elizabeth Heah (both pictured in the centre) share their favourite fashion memories of each other and how they are connected by a special Chanel bag. (Photo: Tatler Singapore)
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When it comes to getting dressed, some mothers do know best. In honour of Mother’s Day 2023, we feature some fashionable stars in Singapore who agree with that sentiment and find out what style lessons their mums have taught them
You would think that the daughter of a Dior collector, especially one who is as obsessed with the haute couture fashion house as Caroline Low-Heah is, would develop a penchant for French glamour as well.
That wasn’t the case for Elizabeth Heah, who describes her style as “minimalist”—rather at odds with the dramatic Dior creations by the maison’s former designer Gianfranco Ferré, which Caroline herself first fell in love with. But that’s not to say Elizabeth isn’t inspired by her mother’s style at all. As she tells us, it was Caroline’s make-up collection that sparked her own interest in beauty. And she continues to live by her mother’s advice to stay true to herself when it comes to making her fashion choices.
Just as there was room for both Raf Simons and Gianfranco Ferré at the house of Dior, so too is there for these two women with “very different ideas about fashion”, as Caroline puts it, to inspire one another—especially when planning their outfits together.
Below, the mother-daughter duo open up about their favourite fashion memories with each other, and how they are connected by a very special Chanel bag.
Read more: Why this stylish mother-and-son pair can’t get enough of each other’s clothes
Above Caroline Low-Heah and Elizabeth Heah (Photo: Caroline Heah)
Above Photo: Caroline Heah
Caroline Low-Heah and Elizabeth Heah (Photo: Caroline Heah)
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Elizabeth, how would you describe your style?
Elizabeth: I have become a minimalist as I’ve gotten older and my style is no exception. I stick to neutral colours and tend to experiment more with shape. I enjoy sculptural pieces and find that a good one that fits well is like a piece of art. I really only wear one statement item at a time to give it space to shine. I find that adding too much to an outfit can sometimes take away from it. The less is more concept has taught me to invest in quality over quantity. I am a lot more conscious of what I choose to add to my closet. It has allowed less room for waste and I wear more of my wardrobe now.
When did you first start exploring your style?
Elizabeth: I was probably less than 10 when I used to sneak into my mother’s beauty bag and try on her make up. Back then she had a modest size closet and it was hidden at the bottom of the cabinet. She has always been simple when it came to make up and would only ever have one compact of eyeshadow–the same one from Chanel with neutral brown tones for her signature smokey eye. I would haphazardly apply random powders to my face and try to make myself pretty like my mummy. I’m quite sure she knew I was the culprit who kept messing up her make up bag but she never made me feel bad for it. When I was older, she bought me my own set and the rest is history. Nowadays, she comes to me for make-up advice, not knowing that it is she who started it all.
Do you have a fond fashion memory of your mother from your childhood?
Elizabeth: My favourite fashion memories of her are at the annual Kids Horizon Ball. Every year, the committee makes it such a fun event with outrageous themes. One year, my mother went as Princess Leia and I didn’t think my mum could get any cooler. She reminds me to have fun with fashion and not take yourself too seriously.
How would you describe your mother’s style?
Elizabeth: Classic. My mother has always been an old soul. This is congruent to the way she cooks, her taste in jazz and our very traditional Cotswold-style home. Her closet has more history than you would find in a book. She is almost always clad in Dior and carries its tradition everywhere she goes. She can even tell you what year it was that Christian Dior stumbled upon his lucky star. She sees the value in good craftsmanship but loves the story that goes with it. It just goes to show that fashion is so much more than pieces of fabric.
What style advice has your mother given you that has stuck with you?
Elizabeth: “If you like it, that’s all that matters” is what she used to tell me when she wouldn’t agree with my style choices. Even though we have different preferences, my mother has never made me feel like I should be anything but myself. She has given me the freedom to explore my style in my own time and I thank her for embracing me for all that I am. Admittedly, not all my fashion ideas have been grand, but I believe it’s that experimentation that shaped the style I own today.
Read more: Fashion Collectors: Caroline Low-Heah's love for old glamour led her to discover Christian Dior
Above Elizabeth Heah and Caroline Low-Heah (Photo: Caroline Heah)
Elizabeth Heah and Caroline Low-Heah (Photo: Caroline Heah)
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When you go to events with your mother, do you two sometimes try to match your outfits or plan them together?
Elizabeth: We do. Even though we have different styles, we would plan our outfits together like girlfriends going to prom. Being the best mum ever, she would always let me have first pick of her shoes and jewellery. Some nights, we would just sit on the floor admiring her collection, planning for events that do not exist and imagining how we would wear certain pieces. I love that even though our styles are so different, it is an activity we can enjoy together.
What is your favourite style item that your mother has bought for you?
Elizabeth: Definitely her Chanel small classic flap in beige caviar leather with the old 24k gold plated hardware. It wasn’t bought for me, but she gave it to me when I left for university. She bought it brand new in her twenties after saving bits of her salary for months. When she handed it to me, it had already been promoted to what we call vintage. One day, I found a movie stub wedged in the side pocket. The words were faded and you could barely make out the theatre name. It showed me a glimpse of my mother’s life before she had me—how similar we were in our taste in bags and how we’d spend our weekends. I could imagine how she would set aside her call pay, knowing that she would reward herself with a treat for all her hard work—just like what I was doing then. It isn’t the most expensive or exclusive bag in her collection, but it meant a lot to her for all these reasons and I am privileged to be able to receive such a treasure. I also love how the bag stood the test of time and is even older than me! It’s still a classic bag today and although it’s got many scratches and the colour has greyed, I wear it proudly and would never trade it for a new one.
What is something that you want from your mother’s closet?
Elizabeth: She has a beautiful ballerina diamond ring given to her by her mother. Despite my preference for a modern fit in fashion, my mother has taught me to understand the value of tradition. I would incorporate it into my daily wardrobe if I could. I am pretty sure it would go with almost anything. I have adopted the philosophy that our favourite pieces should be a part of your everyday, rather than only seeing the light of day on special occasions.
Caroline, how has Elizabeth inspired your style?
Caroline: We have very different ideas about fashion. Elizabeth likes simplicity and clothes that are not fussy. I am rather old-fashioned and I like formality. Lizzy has always encouraged me to stick to timeless pieces that I feel comfortable in rather than be a fashionista.
What is something that you want from Elizabeth’s closet?
Caroline: Her handbags!
Pameyla Cambe is the Assistant Digital Editor of Tatler Singapore. She handles the Fashion section of the website, where she reports on trends, the hottest fashion launches and what your favourite Asian celebrities are wearing.
