Edward’s style is a mix and match. He can pair an expensive outfit to accessories that are worth a whole lot less, and vice versa. “As long as the design suits me, I can wear an outfit from S$8 to S$8,000 and even, mix and match the styles. I never follow fashion trends and just go with my feel ... and my mood.”

The 70-year-old added, “I am also a slave to the weather – if it is hot, I will wear a singlet with three-quarter pants. If cold, I will wear three to four layers. I never wear makeup and prefer natural beauty, even when young. ... Even if I have to go to a black-tie event, I will wear what makes me comfortable. When a person wears a tuxedo and you don’t, you tend to stand out. You become special and outstanding amongst those in the group!”

He shared that his favourite colours are white, black, yellow and beige, and he has a fondness for embroidery and clothes that have some “see-through”. He also feels accessories play an important role and he advised, “You cannot any how wear”.

Edward’s fashion sense has not only matured over the years but it is an amalgamation of his over 55 years, designing wedding gowns. He would do the drawings and buy the materials, and then sew them. His eye for fashion started when he would dress his sister (who is eight years younger than him) with different styles. “The teacher used to ask whether my mom had a hand in it!” he laughed.

When that sister got married in her 20s, he made her 12 dresses for the special occasion, including the goliath of dresses – her wedding dress. He added, “It was like a regular fashion show.” He never took any courses in fashion design and learned it from watching his mother. “My mom taught me how to measure. My gowns are very modern and sophisticated, and I like putting sequins and beads, not to the extent of it looking like a can-can dress though!”

Even today, people still ask him to design a wedding gown. And if he is not travelling like to Shanghai or Taiwan, he is all too happy to oblige. What else keeps him busy? On the weekdays, he catches a movie in the mornings or is out shopping to his favourite haunts like Armani and Orchard Mandarin. He will then spend the rest of the day helping at his niece’s shop, which sells beauty and slimming products.

He then usually heads home for a simple and healthy dinner and makes it a point to get to bed before 9pm, so he can get up early in the morning to do his two-hour gym workout of weights, treadmill and yoga, and the occasional swim. And on weekends, he hits the wet markets to get his ingredients for his dinners in the weekdays.