We’re on set for our February cover shoot, and everyone in the studio is trying their darndest not to laugh as we film our cover star, Carrie Wong. You see, I’ve just requested that she showcase her acting chops by letting viewers know how a Korean vs. a Singaporean woman would flirt. 

Having just shown us how the former does it (very convincingly, I might add), Carrie is stumped at the latter. “Okay, how about you show us how you flirt instead,” I tell her. “But I don’t know how to flirt!” she replies with her signature hearty laugh. 

The actress, who is going to start production this month on a Chinese period drama, Fixing Fate, is focused on what she wants, professionally and privately— and she’s surprisingly candid on other details about herself as well. Although she has stated that she is very content with being single, our feature is a 101 on Carrie Wong that any potential suitor would be remiss to ignore.

With February being the month dedicated to love, the team went all out to make this a bare-all issue—and then some. Self-love and self-care come in the form of our fashion pages with shopping trends at the front of our book that speak of the diversity and individualistic styles that make life that much more interesting.

We also have a spread of the season’s de rigueur bags that are worthy investments, and the chic-est slouchy suits and office staples that will let you stand out from the CBD crowd, mindfully. Then, we have features like “Heat Wave”, which sees us pulling back our Cupid’s bow to present 17 men whom anyone would be proud to bring home to their parents (and yes, of course, they’re extremely easy on the eyes, too.)

Plus, we have a Gen Z’s perspective on dating in the Apps-age followed by a first-timer’s “behind the curtain” look at what goes on at a kink party. And because love is a many-faceted thing, we’ve also got a fun questionnaire that shows you what kind of food lover you are.
Is that oxytocin-inducing enough for you? We certainly hope so because, as a famous visionary once said, “where there is love, there is life.” Here at ELLE, we like to think it applies equally well the other way around, too.

Photographed by JOEL LOW
Styled by JEFFREY YAN

Make-up Artist and Hairstylist MANISA TAN
Photographer’s Assistant EDDIE TEO
Make-up Artist and Hairstylist’s Assistant JENNY TAN