Willabelle Ong may have spent the better part of her life exploring the depths of the fashion world, but the wonder and adoration she holds for it remains unchanged. From running a fashion blog in her teenage years to becoming one of Singapore’s biggest creators in fashion, our May 2025 digital cover star has only honed her sartorial eye and sharpened her knowledge through working with and learning from the titans of fashion across the globe.
This Milan Fashion Week, Willabelle takes her discerning eye to the Dolce&Gabbana fall/winter 2026 show, bearing witness to a new collection that reinforces the House’s spirit of celebrating femininity with strength. Here, Willabelle shares her insights on the fall/winter 2026 season and opens up about her experience at the Dolce&Gabbana show and relationship with fashion.
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Tell us about the look you were going for, and how you ended up with the final look?
For the Dolce&Gabbana fall/winter 2026 show, I wanted to lean into what it has always meant to me: Romance with strength. The Dolce&Gabbana woman is sensual but never fragile, so I paired delicate lace and feather details with strong leather elements through the boots and bag to ground the look. While the lace dress felt soft and almost dreamlike, the leather introduced structure and attitude. I love that tension, feminine yet powerful, because that’s where I feel most like myself. And of course, accessories are the finishing touch; they’re always the cherry on top that brings the entire story together.
What is your relationship with fashion?
Fashion, to me, is a language without words, very much like my art. It reflects my mood, confidence, and personal evolution. I dress according to how I want to feel rather than how I want to be perceived. Through my sartorial choices, I hope to express that femininity can be multifaceted; soft yet assertive, elegant yet modern. Ultimately, it’s about owning your presence unapologetically and allowing style to become a form of self-expression.
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Favourite designer, dead or alive and why?
I’ve always been fascinated by Elsa Schiaparelli. She approached fashion almost like surrealist art—bold, imaginative, and expressive. Her work challenged conventions and proved that fashion can be intellectual, emotional, and playful all at once. As an artist myself, I deeply appreciate that way of thinking, and treating fashion not just as clothing, but as a medium for creativity and storytelling. I also admire how her legacy continues today through Daniel Roseberry, reinterpreting that spirit for a modern woman who isn’t afraid to stand out. To me, Schiaparelli represents fashion at its most artistic and fearless.
Favourite collections from this season?
This season felt incredibly expressive, but Dolce&Gabbana stood out to me for how beautifully it reinforced the house’s identity. The dialogue between precise tailoring and romantic lace felt deeply rooted in their DNA. It celebrated femininity with strength, which is something I always resonate with.
I was also drawn to the understated elegance of Brunello Cucinelli this season. The layering, shearling, and rich interplay of textures created beautiful depth while showcasing the house’s exceptional craftsmanship. There was a sense of luxury that felt effortless yet incredibly considered.
And of course, Max Mara remains timeless for me. This season’s layering in warm autumnal hues felt elegant yet evolving, reinforcing the brand’s signature balance between classic sophistication and modern femininity that transcends trends. With that said, I’m still looking forward to what Paris Fashion Week has in store!
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How was the Dolce&Gabbana show? Who did you meet, what did you discover while there?
The atmosphere was electric… I saw Madonna! She always makes an entrance. She’s iconic for a reason, and growing up, I admired how effortlessly she balanced glamour and sexiness. Dolce&Gabbana remains one of the standout shows of Milan Fashion Week: Everyone's impeccably dressed, full of personality, and with an energy that’s impossible not to get caught up in. Last year, I had a surreal moment on the set of Devil Wears Prada 2, seeing Meryl Streep sitting across from Anna Wintour, and it reminded me how special these fashion moments can feel.
What can people look forward to from you in the near future?
We have a lot more episodes coming up from Milan and Paris Fashion Week, so you’ll just have to sit tight and see what kind of characters we’re playing this season. Last season had really great engagement, and we’re excited to build on that even more!
Beyond fashion, I’ve also been looking forward to my new home project, TheOltreHouse, which should be ready around mid-year. I’m hoping it will be a space for community, creativity, and maybe even hosting events. On top of that, I really want to spend more time on art and painting. In fact, I even have an art room ready, and I’m excited about exploring new collaborations with brands through that creative lens.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.