AICI Singapore

Education Day was a Resounding Success in More Ways than One

aici — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 02:47:14 +0000

27 MARCH, 2011, SINGAPORE: After many months of planning and organizing, the latest Education Day put together by the AICI Singapore Chapter was a resounding success, with the event receiving the highest turnout ever.

Titled ‘Shape Up Your Style Consultation’, the seminar held on 26 March at The Pines Club was attended by about 30 participants. As the title suggested, the four-hour program was designed to deliver invaluable information, tips and advice to help image consultants enhance their professional knowledge and consultation skills.

The first speaker to kick start the program was Mrs. Fong Loo Fern, Managing Director of CYC The Custom Shop, a local brand famous for their quality custom-made business shirts. Speaking on the topic of ‘Perfect Fit’, Mrs. Fong shared with participants how they can identify good quality business shirts and highlighted some common fit problems and how these can be adjusted to achieve the perfect fit for every individual. She also gave some tips on the care of shirts and highlighted current shirt trends. Offering generous insights gleaned from close two decades of being in the business, her session generated many questions from participants who were eager to learn more from her.

The second speaker was Ms Emily Wills, Fashion Textile Lecturer from LaSalle College of the Arts, the local institution for contemporary arts education. Ms Wills, who has a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion and Textile Design, provided a technical understanding to the types of textile fibers, categorized mainly as either natural or manufactured, and their respective properties.

Ms Aileen Lane, AICI CIP, founder and Director of image consulting company Nutri-Style was the last speaker and spoke enthusiastically on the topic of ‘Shopping for Plus Size’. Sharing from her extensive experience working with plus-size clients, Ms Lane offered practical tips on how to communicate with clients for a better consultation experience, as well as the types of control garments, fabrics and patterns that help create a slimmer silhouette. She also provided invaluable ideas on how to work better with retailers and highlighted some fashion trends for the plus-sized. She ended the session by generously sharing with fellow image consultants a list of retailers that have a good range of attire for the plus-sized.

“Groom and Glow” project completed for Cerebral Palsy Centre in Singapore.

aici — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 03:40:36 +0000

In June and July 2010, twelve AICI Singapore members volunteered their services in a Philanthropy project called “Groom and Glow” for the Cerebral Palsy Centre in Singapore. Organized by the Philanthropy sub-committee, and led by Gloria Soo as 2009/2010 Philanthropy Chair and Li-Kin Pang as VP/President Elect, the project involved a total of 4 basic grooming workshops for a total of 65 beneficiaries aged 18-35 years.

The participants are trainees of the Centre’s program called Goodwill, Rehabilitation and Occupational Workshop (GROW), which provide vocational training and employment opportunities. Our grooming workshop came in handy, as our aim was to prepare trainees for job interviews and work outside the centre. It was a valuable learning experience for the trainees, who had hands-on lessons on daily skincare, make-up, hairstyling, and dressing for work.

“It was an out-of-the-world experience for our trainees”, says Karen Goh Manager of GROW Centre. “The workshop lifted their confidence immensely and many of them started grooming themselves the next day.”

For AICI volunteers, the experience was unforgettable as we all gained tremendously even as we gave our time to this worthy cause.

Gloria Soo, who initiated this project with Li-Kin, said, “this has been an immensely meaningful initiative! My best takeaways are the strong teamwork we all have & the smiles cum appreciation from the participants. I’m truly glad to be part of this project.” Philanthropy Chair for 2010/2011 Melissa Chor, AICI FLC, shared the same sentiments: “Participating in this worthy cause has rewarded me in so many ways. The trainees were amazingly attentive, joyful and hungry to learn despite their physical/mental conditions. Their attitude has reinforced the persevering spirit in me!”

For many of the volunteers, it was their first time working with those with Cerebral Palsy conditions. Yet, they gave their best and demonstrated their passion to help bring out the beauty in the trainees despite their difficulty with motor functions. We would like to acknowledge all of them here for their passion, time and unquestioning love:

Alice Chan • Nina Chia • Melissa Chor • Catherine Ong • Pang Li Kin
Audrey Quek • Vanessa San • Vandita Singh • Gloria Soo •
Gloria Tam • Cecilia Telkes • Sherrine Teoh

Shopping cum Workshop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

aici — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:40:58 +0000