Hey, I Like Your Style! Inside the wardrobe of Melbourne-based musician, Rainbow Chan

“Bold, striking colours, eye-catching prints and structured, boxy silhouettes.”

We know personal style is a journey (I’m looking at you, Tumblr years) and our series Hey, I Like Your Style! dives into the fashion psyche of our favourite creatives. We’re talking the good, the bad and the 2007.

While the internet has made our fashion icons feel closer than ever before, even the most effortless of outfits came from a closet with some (well-dressed) skeletons. Clickable product tags, photo archives and lives chronicled in 30-second clips just don’t tell the full story.

For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.

These are the stories behind the wardrobes, exploring how we develop our own personal style. There’s a brilliance behind the way we choose to express ourselves and at FJ, we know every outfit has a story. For this instalment of Hey, I Like Your Style!, we enter the wardrobe of Chun Yin Rainbow Chan.

The Melbourne-based producer, vocalist and visual artist is known for her melodic, off-kilter sound, with her music exploring themes like globalisation and diaspora. ‘Rainbow’ is a hint at her vibrant, dynamic wardrobe, comprised of pieces from local designers and op shops. Read on to hear about her style journey so far.

Who are you and what do you like to wear?

I am a vocalist, electronic producer and visual artist based in Naarm/Melbourne (originally from Eora/Sydney). When it comes to my wardrobe, I have a penchant for juxtaposing feminine pieces with edgy, masculine jackets.

I gravitate towards fashion that incorporates bold, striking colours, eye-catching prints and structured, boxy silhouettes. What really excites me is the mix-and-match game – I enjoy blending pieces from local designers with eclectic op shop finds.

What has your style evolution looked like? Do you feel like you’ve gained confidence in the way you dress?

Over the years, I’ve been lucky to work with some incredibly talented stylists who have broadened my fashion horizons. They’ve introduced me to a plethora of local designers and unique clothing pieces I might not have otherwise explored. As I become more at ease with myself as a person, I’ve found contentment in whatever I choose to wear.

Personal style is a journey. Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?

Not really. I’ve never felt compelled to conform to a specific fashion mould. I think we should embrace individuality and enjoy the freedom to explore diverse styles.

Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?

I went through a phase when I couldn’t quite make up my mind between a boho fairy and a ‘Sk8er Boi’ look, so I ended up combining both styles… it was a bit awkward, to say the least.

What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe?

My most expensive item was for a good cause – Jenny Kee’s iconic Blinky hand-knitted jumper, which raised funds for koalas after the horrific bushfires of 2019 to 2020. And my least expensive beloved item would have to be a vintage Italian two-piece suit in fire engine red, which I found in a Byron Bay op-shop for $12!

What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?

A few years back I was gifted a traditional farming hat, called leung mo, by a group of female elders in a Hong Kong village. One of the grannies spent three weeks hand-weaving the ornamental band that keeps the hat in place on your head. I wore the leung mo on the cover of my sophomore album, Pillar.

What’s in your cart at the moment?

A lot of things I don’t really need on Depop.

What fashion piece are you saving for right now?

I’m hoping to save up for a custom Nicol and Ford dress. Their designs are not only extremely beautiful but they are rigorously researched and handmade on-premise by Katie and Lilian. I’ve had the honour of wearing a few of their pieces on stage. I love their label’s motto, “Conceptual demi-couture made by community, for community, in celebration of beautiful bodies”.

What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?

I have a deep admiration for the Hong Kong fashion label Yatpit, which was founded by my wonderful friends, Jason Mui and On-Ying Lai. They have a special talent for reimagining traditional Hong Kong iconography in a way that resonates with modern audiences.

What’s especially noteworthy is their thoughtful and philosophical approach to design, as well as their commitment to minimising fabric waste through efficient pattern cutting. Their creations have become essential components of my capsule wardrobe.

Who are your favourite local designers?

I love Nicol and Ford, Amy Lawrance, Aggie Choi, Jillian Boustred, Amy Crookes, Mimi Holvast, Sister Studios, and Caves Collect, to name a few.

You can follow Rainbow here.