Amanda Toh-Steckler: Taking on haute couture with Dior
It’s still early days in the supercar-collecting fashionista’s style journey, but she’s already made quite a colourful splash
WHEN IT COMES TO STYLE, Amanda Toh-Steckler’s philosophy is simple.
It’s all about the interplay of comfort, colour and context, she tells BT Luxe. Most important among those three, she adds, is the last – making sure that her clothes work well at the events she attends, and that they tell a story about herself.
“To me, fashion isn’t just about looking good; it’s about being yourself,” says the owner of Killiney Kopitiam USA. “When you put on something new… it should represent you.”
There’s no doubt she puts this into practice. A former marathon runner and present-day supercar collector, she likes a sleek and sporty vibe to her outfits, which frequently feature clean lines. Ease of movement is another crucial quality for Toh-Steckler, who was a dancer in her school days.
“I don’t put on clothing just to impress others,” she says with a laugh, adding emphasis on the need for comfort in her looks.
Still, it’s hard not to be impressed by Toh-Steckler’s repertoire of colourful ensembles. Even on casual days, when she favours T-shirts and shorts, one would be hard-pressed to find her in muted tones.
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Looking young, feeling young
Asked about her style evolution over the years, the 51-year-old pauses and laughs for a moment. “The funny thing is, when I was young, I always wanted to look more mature – I was always in heels,” she says.
“And now, I’m wearing…”
Her hands gesture to her feet, clad in a pair of white sneakers that one could well see on the likes of any young it girl. She meets our gaze, and another bout of laughter ensues. “It’s how you feel in the clothes (that matters),” she explains. “I’m not that young, but I like to dress like it!”
Unsurprisingly, there’s a spryness to Toh-Steckler. As she speaks about her love of matching colours and prints, her megawatt smile and twinkling eyes seem to almost light up the room with a youthful buzz.
“When I wear something, I focus on the total look, (rather than) individual pieces… It’s more fun for me!”
That excitement and curiosity with which Toh-Steckler approaches fashion perhaps stem from the fact that she started venturing into it relatively recently.
“I started about 10 years ago,” she says of her style journey. Before that, she was focused on raising her children. Now that they’re older – the youngest is 15 – she’s had time to explore her personal style more extensively.
Perfect pairing
She’s also been able to develop a relationship with brands, chief among them Dior.
“I actually carry a Dior bag to the gym,” she says, adding that slippers from the brand are another staple in her everyday wardrobe. “The designs are fun, and there’s a lot of colour” complementing her personal style, she adds.
After she flew out to Paris for the brand’s haute couture show last year – in a front-row seat, no less – work started on a piece for her.
Dior is one of just 16 full members of the Federation of Haute Couture and Fashion, which sets out criteria for design houses to qualify as grand couturiers. Among others, grand couturiers in France must produce made-to-order clothing for private clients; put out two collections a year; and have a Paris atelier with at least 15 employees.
The process of creating Toh-Steckler’s look took about a year in total, with fabric selections to fittings all done in Paris. “They were very professional, and took care of everything in detail,” she says of the Dior team.
The final creation, a stunning red long-sleeved gown with gold trim, combines the best of Dior’s aesthetic with Toh-Steckler’s fashion sensibilities.
Its silhouette is sharp and sleek, yet retains the ultra-feminine “New Look” popularised by Christian Dior in the 1940s.
The trim complements and emphasises the lines of her body, while adding a light touch of luxury.
And of course, that bombshell shade of red and subtly shining gold capture Toh-Steckler’s vivacious personality brilliantly. “I (also) wanted to present myself as a strong, powerful woman,” she adds.
Mission accomplished, for sure. It’s very clearly a piece made for her and her alone.
Reflecting on the look, she says: “It’s beautiful – and surprisingly comfortable too! Initially, I thought – ah, haute couture, it’s going to be so difficult to put on – but that’s not the case.” She gives a twirl, and the skirt glides effortlessly in a wave through the air.
Having a piece of haute couture made with Dior has left her with a greater appreciation for the personal qualities of fashion. “When I wear it, I know I’m the only one who has it,” she says with her signature smile.
Perfect for a fashionista who likes to let her clothes do the talking.
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