Women We Know #34 - Daryl Dee Teo


Dee is wearing Eco Toga suit with Indian Summer Kaftan 

 

Sunshiny personality, fun, as real as it gets - the 3 things Dee is known for. Besides doing charity and mission works in 3rd world counties, she also runs Bless Inc Asia and Pin Tea - She shares with us how to live life to the fullest by not taking yourself too seriously but also take no nonsense from others. According to her, success is whatever your mind makes it to be - it is the journey, not the result. 

What do you think is your best assets? And how do you flaunt them? 

My eyes! I always ensure they are lined lightly, and a generous coat of mascara to give it that vavavoom awesome blossom look, but not too thick that it looks fake. I’m quite blessed with nice lashes too.

What are the challenges when you’re looking for the perfect swimwear?

Definitely my boobs. the normal Singapore women are not so well endowed, so it’s quite hard to get a swimsuit that fit the bust nicely.

Do you think there are enough brands catering to curvy women? 

Not at all especially not in Singapore! 

What sort of accessories would you wear normally? Do you particularly like kaftans?

I like to do beach holidays, so I like to buy nice beach accessories, like kaftans, head scarves, hats, bracelets

What would you expect from KBLU if you have a special request to custom made your own swimwear?

If it's customised it should fit me perfectly.

Who is your favourite personality? Do you like to dress like her?

I don’t think I dress like anyone in particular, I do have my own quirky dress sense and my style evolves. I like the comfy slouchy dresses with white sneakers or just jeans, tee with a kimono outer wear and a head wrap with feather or tassel earrings. A lot of times in androgynous fashion, i love mens wear.. and i do a lot of oversize / men’s lab coats, t shirts, shirts. I don’t follow trends or fashion, in fact I find it stressful at times. I like to wear what i like at the moment. One thing i dislike is to look like someone else. I spend most of my life trying not to be like the girl next door. 

Dee is wearing Mulan highwaist Bottom

Do you like to wear prints or solid colours? Why?

Both! I have both solid colours and prints head wraps. it depends on the occasion and seasons. I don’t have a problem with both. No hard and fuss rule, they normally compliment each other.

Who and what do you think of when you hear “Fearlessly Female”?

There are a few. Shirlyn Manson, Gwen Stefanie, Pink, Jeannie Mai, my first response was actually Courtney Love, the wife of Kurt Cobain, simply because at 15 years old, I had a woman crush on her for being such a cool chick, leader of the band Hole and snagging the most talented man of Grunge (in my 15 year old mind then) haha but she seems not to be a good role model these days..

Do you have a female leader you admire in your life?

I’m blessed to be surrounded by many strong independent women who may not be celebrities but equally influential. I wouldn’t say I look up to them as role models per se, but I do respect their opinions. Too many to name.

What is the one thing that scares you the most and want to try at least once?

Coming out to run my own business. Now I run a PR agency, Bless Inc Asia and also a tea brand, Pin Tea

 

What is the hardest life hurdle you’ve gone through and what did you take away from it?

To take the first step without any safety harness or back up plan which means failure is not an option. My take away is, don’t take yourself too seriously; learn to let go and not force things. I no longer force things to happen. I no longer am attached to the results, so long as I’ve given my best.

Dee is wearing Eco Toga suit with Indian Summer Kaftan 

 

What keeps you going when things get tough?

Prayers! haha, it’s to remember why you started in the first place.

What is the one life lesson you learned that can’t be taught in school?

Too many!!!! nobody ever taught you that your heart will be broken, trust will be broken, it’s a dog eat dog world out there. One of the biggest take away that you can’t learn from school is not to be attached to the results. So long as you have done your best, even if you fail, failure doesn’t define who you are, and it’s OK to fail!!! It builds character.

What is your definition of success?

This is a tough one. when you say you are! Nobody should define your success or take away that from you! For me, it's successful when I do my best and achieve what I have set out to do. However, i’m not too attached to success or failure, but more on what my commitment was.

If you weren’t working in the job you are in now, what would you be doing instead?

I’ll be doing mission work in the 3rd world country!

What is your ideal holiday?

A bit of nature, a bit of city

What or who are your style influences?

A little bit of Rock & Roll, a little bit of soul with a big splash of fun!

What three values are most important to you?

Integrity (doing the right thing even when nobody is watching), spirit of excellence, kindness

Living in a sunny climate, what are some of your must-haves when it comes to your skin?

I'm very bad with sunblock, but I have to say, for the face, I’ll ensure I do a foundation with SPF! if I remember, then it has to be sunblock for the face, i’m not so concerned about the rest of the body, that’s also why i’m always tanned. I get tanned even by just walking the dogs around the block..

What is one thing on your bucket list?

To take a year off to travel. To start a social enterprise. To take a year off to study and travel.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

To be able to do the above. I’m not a big fan of big changes, I like my life and my work and the people but if I can live in another country 3-4 months in a year, it’ll be ideal.

Is there a song lyric or a quote you live by?

"And this too, shall come to pass." And it is tattooed on my arm