AN UNKEMPT Audrey Quek?
Not very likely.
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But it seems the ex-beauty queen was once a tomboy and did taekwondo.
It's hard to believe, because these days the 34-year-old image consultant insists on putting on lipstick even for a trip to her local convenience store.
Said Audrey, Miss Singapore World 1999 and a former finalist of The New Paper New Face: 'There's a standard that a lady should follow.
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| NOW & THEN: Audrey with her book and clothing line (above) and as a New Paper New Face finalist in 1997. -- |
'I feel naked if I go out without wearing lipstick and setting my hair. My colours must be coordinated. My clothes must be pressed - even T-shirts and shorts. Creases are my pet peeve.'
Her daily hour-long routine includes using heated rollers to curl her hair.
She feels that Singaporeans are still clueless about dressing appropriately.
That is why Audrey, who helms her eponymous image consultancy firm, has consolidated her tips in her debut book, ABC To Your Dream Job.
She said: 'Having conducted workshops in tertiary institutions, I noticed that many students didn't adhere to the schools' dress codes - no flip flops, hot shorts, mini skirts and spaghetti tops.
'A lot of corporate ladies are also unaware of appropriate office attire.'
A guide for jobseekers, her book includes pre-interview preparation and communication etiquette.
Preparing for interview
She said: 'Most books of similar content on the market focus on resume writing. They don't cover topics like pre-interview rehearsals and the need for an interview suit.
'One has to dress to look the part. At interviews and business functions, it's about a person's poise and how people project themselves professionally.'
ABC To Your Dream Job costs $21.40 and will be available at Popular bookstores from 6 Jul.
To illustrate the importance of 'dressing to look the part', Audrey has also launched her clothing line, Audrey Quek Executive Label.
She has been wearing her own designs for the last four years because clothes in Singapore are 'conventional and the colours aren't vibrant enough'.
She said: 'A lot of corporate clients have been asking me to sell my designs.
'Japan and the Philippines have expressed interest in selling my clothes in their countries.'
Blouses start from $59 and suits are between $188 and $388. There is only one piece per size and clothes can be customised according to body types, she said.
Audrey will also add at least 24 new designs every two months and no pattern is repeated.
But it was not so long ago when she was a tomboy who always wore shorts and had short hair.
She quit ballet to take up taekwondo because the former was too feminine.
Audrey received a junior black belt - the highest rank for those under 15 years of age - in taekwondo when she was in Primary 5.
She was also a competitive swimmer with the Chinese Swimming Club until she was 16 years old.
After removing her braces and ditching her spectacles for contact lenses at 16, she realised that 'people started noticing me'. So she decided to put more effort into her looks.
She was also influenced by her mother who is from Hong Kong and taught her the importance of colour coordination.
She said with a chuckle: 'My two elder sisters and I never wore flip-flops. This is the reason why I don't wear flats now. My heels must be at least 1 inch. I even wore 2.5-inch heels when I was pregnant.'
Audrey is married to events organiser Daniel Lee and their daughter, Denise, is 2 years old.
Her 'ugly duckling' days were history after she took part in the The New Paper New Face contest in 1997.
She said: 'Since then, I've become conscious about how I should look and dress for different occasions.'
She was also Miss World Fuqing in 2000 and Most Beautiful Mum in 2007.
It seems being well-groomed runs in the family. Little Denise is already following in her mother's footsteps.
Audrey said: 'At home, she's always in dresses. When she sees me brushing my hair, she does the same.'
For updates of The New Paper New Face 2009 contest, visit www.tnppostwoman.com/newface09
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