WIYB with Mei, 24 – founder of The Scarlette

The Scarlette is a highly successful Singapore-based online retail shop that specializes in one-of-a-kind luxurious dresses. The Scarlette believes that fashion is a philosophy and their dresses are inspired by catwalk styles and celebrity favourites which stand out in the sea of mass-produced apparels. This philosophy is serving them so well that their manufactured dresses are flying quickly off their virtual racks with customers sometimes snapping up to 12-15 pieces each time.

Started in 2008, The Scarlette was a product of a student’s dream. Back then, Mei was often tempted by the offerings from high street brands which were too extravagant for her pocket. In order to enjoy the savings that bulk purchase offered, she started selling imported apparel on The Scarlette. Since then, she has roped in 2 other partners and The Scarlette now features self-manufactured pieces. Today, their brand is so wildly popular that wearing a The Scarlette dress for dinner parties is de rigueur for most women out there!

Citing customers’ support as her biggest source of encouragement, Mei hopes that more women will have a chance to wear their dresses. Currently holding her day job in research/marketing, Mei counts not having the time or money to take this full time the hardest part of running the online shop.

Mei enjoys spending money (in her own words), shopping, and watching US dramas in her spare time. Her current obsession is The Vampire Diaries. Mei loves hobos and picks the Alexa-inspired satchel as her favourite design on bagspace.sg!

What’s in Mei’s bag

• Black Muji pouch with Creative MP3 player

The MP3 player keeps me company through all those noisy train rides to and from work every day. Got it as a birthday present from my boyfriend 4 years ago and it’s still going strong. (note: my iPod died after 1 year…)

• Agnes B wallet

My battered Agnes B wallet, which I bought when I was in holiday in HK last Aug. Actually it’s supposed to be a card holder but I’m using it as a wallet because I love the size.

• Loewe card holder

Holds my Scarlette namecards, as well as namecards of all important Scarlette contacts.

• Foot glide and Scholl gel pads

I have a very low tolerance for pain. The foot glide is tres useful when I’m wearing shoes that haven’t been “broken into” so to speak. The gel pads are for feet emergencies – I like to wear sky high heels.

• Hair chopstick/clip

To keep my hair out of the way.

• Stila lip gloss, MAC concealer pot, ZA compact

To be honest, I hardly ever use them. The compact and concealer are for pimple emergencies. The lip gloss is for when I actually remember to use it.

• Personalized coin pouch with my name

My bro got it for me as a souvenir when he came back from an army trip to Kanchanaburi. I use it to store my extra EZlink card (because there are days when I forget to bring my wallet out) and stamps with which to mail parcels with.

• UOB/DBS tokens & thumbdrive

The Scarlette’s mobile office. IB tokens to verify payment transfers, thumbdrives to store transaction information.

• Keys with my own IB token

Very important as the IB device is for my daily shopping needs. Those who shop online will understand… Hehe

• Samsung Omnia phone

No explanation needed!

• Monologue notebook

For random notes/thoughts… Currently, I’m using it to plan my itinerary for my upcoming trip to Melbourne/Sydney.

• Envelope pouch with Canon Ixus red camera

Actually I have no idea why it’s in my bag when it usually isn’t. Isn’t the envelope pouch the cutest?

Q) What is one item you can’t leave home without?

My MP3 player – a lifesaver when you just want to tune out the world.

Q) Describe yourself in 1 sentence.

I don’t have enough bags.

Q) Tell us one thing we don’t know about you.

I’m actually really really scared of ghosts.