I got invited to Style’s 10th anniversary party in Singapore, and I finally had the perfect excuse to wear my red silk dress from Calvin Klein, which I bought on sale last June. I had initially planned to wear it on my birthday, but it wasn’t practical for a full day of shopping in Amsterdam, so I ended up wearing a different Calvin Klein dress then. The party’s dress code was “stylish,” so I figured my red dress would be perfect.
I was lucky enough to go to the party with my friend Anne. We go way back to our days in Bologna, Italy, over 20 years ago, where we took Spanish classes together. Life was so different then—no kids, no mobile phones (we teased the few Italians who had them), no Internet, and fewer responsibilities. Now, we both have phones, kids (she has four!), plenty of bills, and I practically live online. Despite the years, it feels like no time has passed, and I’m still that young woman from Italy.
Anne and I recently reconnected after going our separate ways for years. She had been living in France and then moved to Mexico, while I moved to Australia, then China, and now Singapore. It was a total surprise when, during an evening walk, my husband and I were stopped by shouts from our long-lost friends—Anne and her husband. The chances of running into them in Singapore were slim, so it felt almost magical.
Without planning it, Anne showed up in a fabulous red dress too. She’s Danish but married to a Frenchman and has maintained her chic Parisian style over the years. She’s as stylish as she was back in Italy.
But the party itself didn’t live up to expectations. The room was dark and extremely noisy, with not much to do besides listen to the band. I had hoped for some exciting presentations, maybe a fashion show or an exhibition from Style Magazine. It seemed like the party was aimed at a younger crowd, but even they just stood around without dancing. The best spot ended up being just outside the main room, where we could chat and watch what everyone was wearing. I managed to snap a few pictures.
We eventually left the party and headed to one of my favorite spots in Singapore, the Wine Company at Dempsey Hill. They have a lovely outdoor terrace where you can enjoy wine or, in my case, a delicious Strawberry Daiquiri. It turned out to be a fantastic night with great conversation, both of us in our striking red dresses.
Before the party, I took a few photos of my outfit without makeup, not knowing if I’d get good shots later. I’m practicing my “leg over leg” pose, which seems to be the go-to for movie stars. This dress has all my favorite features: draping, asymmetry, color, and knee length. I’m sure I’ll enjoy wearing it for a long time.
Dress: Calvin Klein
Shoes: Hester van Eeghen
Necklace: Herman van Berkel
Do you own a red dress too?
