Cover Elly Lam (Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong)
Elly Lam (Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong)
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Taler+
To celebrate Tatler’s 45th anniversary, Elly Lam talks about her take on fashion’s evolution over the years, as well as her shopping wish list
Fashion is in flux, but style is eternal. This certainly holds true for the ever-sophisticated clothes horse, Elly Lam. That’s not to say that a little experimentation is out of the question. “I used to stick to only one style when I was younger, but now I love mixing and matching according to my mood,” says Lam. “I’m very versatile and playful. My style is constantly evolving and never at a standstill.” So while this fashion lover may engage in a game of musical chairs with different designers, there are some brands that have stuck with her for the long haul, such as the house of Versace.
Tatler has always been Asia’s premium portal to luxury, and in celebration of its anniversary this year, we ask Lam to share her thoughts on the evolution of fashion, her personal shopping list, styling tips, and why she singles out Versace as her source of inspiration.
Why does Versace resonate with you so strongly?
Throughout the years, Versace has always been bold—they always have that strong, confident and loud presence. It always stands out. But with each season, they inject something new, yet still hold on to a DNA that is instantly recognisable.
Similarly, I’ve always been very girly in the way I dress, which will always remain the same. But I accent it with a variety of styles—be it glamourous, a touch of rock and roll, minimalistic, sophisticated or edgy.
What words come to mind when you think of the house of Versace?
Gilded gold! Strong. Striking. Distinctive.
Please share a few of your favourite fashion memories with this brand.
I wore an updated version of the iconic Elizabeth Hurley dress from 1994 to the FIF ball at the Four Seasons—it was really fun to wear something so instantly recognisable and iconic.
What are some of your most iconic memories of the brand?
I remember when I was very young, my grandmother loved dressing me and my twin up in Versace. They had a store in the basement of Regal Hotel, and we’d always shop there. It was my first memories of myself in Versace.
Growing up, we had a lot of Versace homeware—towels, plates, crockery, cushions. It stands out to children, right? The colours and the bold patterns and prints are so eye-catching. We had them everywhere around the house.
What style philosophy do you follow when it comes to accessorising?
More is more! I like to stand out.
Do you ever mix and match menswear? What do you look for and what catches your eye?
I love to borrow my gay best friend’s clothes—oversized jackets or a boyfriend shirt and sweater.
Triplaform sandals
Above Versace Triplaform sandals (Photo: Courtesy of Versace)
Versace Triplaform sandals (Photo: Courtesy of Versace)
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From this collection, those pink heels stand out the most to me. A little bit of platform always helps, plus they are so comfortable that you can literally run in them, it gives you the height and an extra boost of confidence. Plus it’s the shoe of the moment. Ultimately, I can never say no to pink.
Acid Bouquet Foulard Dress
Above Versace Acid Bouquet Foulard Dress (Photo: Courtesy of Versace)
Versace Acid Bouquet Foulard Dress (Photo: Courtesy of Versace)
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Backless dresses have consistently been a favourite sartorial choice of mine. It shows off a playful amount of skin while still being fairly conservative from the front. The print is also signature Versace, with a modern touch to it.
La Medusa Mini Bag
Above La Medusa Mini Bag (Photo: Courtesy of Versace)
La Medusa Mini Bag (Photo: Courtesy of Versace)
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A pop of bright yellow is never a bad thing—especially during the summer. I love the opaque finish to this bag paired with the brand’s usual bold and gold chain. Of course, the Medusa head is an instant giveaway that the bag is Versace.
Trigreca Sneakers
Above Versace Trigreca Sneakers (Photo: Courtesy of Versace)
Versace Trigreca Sneakers (Photo: Courtesy of Versace)
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I have been really into neons recently, so I instantly gravitated towards these two menswear items. Very clever play on the sole of these sneakers, with another iconic Versace print.
Medusa Biggie Pouch Bag
Above Medusa Biggie Pouch Bag (Photo: Courtesy of Versace)
Medusa Biggie Pouch Bag (Photo: Courtesy of Versace)
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Men tend to go for darker colours when it comes to style. These bright choices will make the look a lot more interesting and eye-catching.
Credits
Photography: Affa Chan
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