Glamour Girl

It is late afternoon on a quiet street in the Bugis area. But all is abuzz on the second floor of a shop house. At Red's Hair Academy , the stage is set for a transformation, the cameras are in position, all dust and hair swept away, with bright lights illuminating the seat for the ‘star'.

All wait in eager anticipation for Shamila. The students at the academy stop curling the hair on their dummies and crane their necks through the glass mirror cubicles, giggling and whispering.

She finally breezes in, clad in a pink cotton top and black pants, fresh from work, greeting everyone with a bright smile and enthusiastic handshake. And you see why this woman could be a star and will be once the Style Doctors are done with her.

Only 25, Shamila Gopalakrishnan dresses like a 35 year-old. She laughs self-deprecatingly at her own sense of style, or lack of it, recognizing it as being ‘ah ma'. But that's why she's here.

Her host, the gorgeous Nadya, has decided Sharmila's makeover should include a wardrobe overhaul, new haircut, makeup and voice lessons, to update her mature look.

It was a purely serendipitous encounter that led to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Accompanying her friend to the Style Doctors' auditions, Shamila decided on a whim to give it a shot herself. She was tired of wanting to change the way she looked but not knowing what to do.

When the call came from MediaCorp, Shamila could barely contain her excitement. ‘I was so happy I started screaming and jumping up and down in the office!'

Visibly excited about the haircut she was going to get, Shamila was all hyped up to show off her new look at the big reveal party that night at Orchard Towers, where she was to sing for an audience of friends and family.

The makeover has very obviously done her good. ‘I used to avoid wearing sleeveless tops as I felt exposed and was afraid of people's comments so I piled on the layers and wore long-sleeved blouses. But I realized that I should be happy about the way I am and feel good about myself.'

The aspiring singer also has this advice for people who want to go for a makeover but are still hesitant. ‘Just go out there and be open to different advice, get help and go for the challenge. You'll feel like a brand new person, so don't stop yourself. Now's the time to act, the effort starts with you,' gushes Shamila. ‘And its not bad to be big. There are different ways to dress, so never look down on yourself just because of your size.'

The Doctors are in!

Lifestyle catches up with Style Doctors Nadya Hutagalung and R. J. Rosales, for their diagnosis:

How would you define style?

Nadya: Style to me is individualistic; everyone has to find their own style. I would classify my style as being eclectic, and I like to accessorize with earrings, rings, and belts combining both vintage and designer clothes to complete the look.

RJ: I would classify my style as being loud, I prefer clothes in bright colours and prints and I love to experiment and play around so my style's constantly changing.

What prescription would you dispense on how to dress with style?

Nadya: What's most important is to find something that's uniquely your own and not be too caught up in the latest fashion trends and be swept away by it. Dare to be different, don't take the easy way out.

RJ: I've always believed that comfort is key when it comes to dressing. You have to find something that works for you, the colour should be right, the cut should fit your body type and you shouldn't feel uncomfortable wearing it.

Who inspires you with their sense of style?

Nadya: I rather like Gwen Stefanie, she's got a style that's uniquely her own.

RJ: JLo and Mariah Carey have the personality and aura to carry off a style, and for guys, I like Ricky Martin's tight tank tops and Enrique Iglesias' rugged look complete with goatee and beanie.

How would you rate Singaporeans' fashion sense?

Nadya: I think compared to our counterparts in the region, Singaporeans are generally well dressed.

RJ: Well, Singaporeans can be pretty adventurous when it comes to dressing though not necessarily with 100% success. Sometimes I see someone on the street and I wonder ‘Wow, where did he get that?' and at other times it's just ‘Oh, my goodness!'. And I don't understand why people insist on wearing thick jackets in our hot climate!

How has filming for Style Doctors been so far?

Nadya: Great, we're more like friends to each patient, and it's really very heartwarming to hear them share their stories and see them transformed at the end of it all.

RJ: It's been a riot, I have so much fun on the set joking and laughing away that I wondered how the producers were going to be able to piece the show together! But it does bring a sense of achievement after each episode, seeing that in such a short time, we've managed to help change someone around so completely and successfully.

Style Doctors, Channel 5, Fridays, at 9pm