Using as a visual metaphor for Singapore, Between Leaf & City by Xing Yiwen imagines a gardener “discovering hidden treasure” in the tropics. As the 21-year-old explains, it is “inspired by Singapore’s identity as a garden city where rainforests and skyscrapers coexist.”
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“To be honest, I never thought I would be selected,” she admits. “I wasn’t confident at all.” At the time, she found herself constantly comparing her work to that of those around her as she made the difficult decision to change her entire original concept halfway through the project. “By the end, my only goal was to make something I would actually be satisfied with, so when I found out I was chosen, I was genuinely surprised,” she smiles humbly.
Looking back, Yiwen sees the experience as an important lesson in trusting the creative process, even when it feels uncomfortable. “I felt lost, unsure, and emotional,” she says candidly. “But slowly, I found my direction.” One of her biggest takeaways from the project was not to wait till the end to ask for feedback. “I started my execution too late and didn’t show my work to my lecturers early enough. By the time I realised my concept wasn’t working for the initial pitch to ELLE Singapore, it was almost too late to fix it.”
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More than anything, though, the experience reinforced the importance of believing in your own ideas. “You might have to throw everything away and start again,” she reflects. “But that doesn’t mean you’re not good enough.” Ultimately, seeing the production unfold behind the scenes helped click everything into place. “Honestly, I was very nervous the whole time. But now I feel like I finally understand how the whole process works,” she shares.
Creative Direction XING YIWEN
Photographer SHERMAN SEE-THO
Stylist JEFFREY YAN
Model LUO TING/Mannequin
Makeup Artist CLARENCE LEE using Armani Beauty
Hairstylist KEN HONG/Evolve Salon
Photographer’s Assistants GOH CHIANG YANG; SHIRO KUAN
Stylist’s Assistant NAZIRA LUBIS