Jo Lixian names the lead singer of American rock band Paramore as one of her big style influences growing up. Photo: Jo Lixian
Jo Lixian cuts a compact figure at 155cm tall, but it seems her sense of style knows no limits.
She is also comfortable with her own body, and does not feel the need to change herself to live up to beauty norms.
“One thing you’ll never catch me in, unless I absolutely have to, is heels!” the artiste declares.
Jo, 31, who was born and raised in Kuantan, has performed on global stages like the RAW Brooklyn Arts Festival and Sofar Sounds Singapore.
She has also impressed local audiences at Publika Jazz Festival, Peszta and Generasi DFP, as well as on television show Borak Kopitiam.
Her singles released so far include Temple, It’s Only Love, Sleepless In NY and Chasing Butterflies. This month, she released her full album, Slept On It.
Jo says fashion should be about uplifting one’s own sense of worth. It should give people the freedom to embrace their true selves and the courage to express who they are.
“The confidence, the dare to be – that’s what I aspire to portray in my own outfits every day,” she points out.
How would you articulate your personal style, and what sets it apart from others?
I call it “street chic”. Deep down, I’m a carefree rock star, but I also wear the hats of a music educator, business owner and soul/R&B artiste.
Most of the time, I dress according to the roles I have that day – often in high-waisted jeans, a must for my short stature, paired with shirts or blouses, or my “battle armour” when I’m performing.
Despite being petite, Jo does not feel the need to wear heels all the time. Photo: Jo Lixian
She thinks everyone should just dress the way they want. Photo: Jo Lixian
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What or who has shaped your personal style?
When I was studying in the States (the US), my classmates and the people around me influenced me the most – and that’s something I still carry with me today.
Being comfortable in my own skin is truly the best outfit. I remember seeing my friends wear the most outrageous things on stage, “mismatched” patterns to class, anything that wasn’t considered the norm in fashion.
We were all in music school, after all. But it was the way they carried themselves, on stage and off, that made those outfits feel “correct”, if you get what I mean.
In your view, how should fashion strike a balance between comfort, practicality and self-expression?
I think understanding what your body actually looks like comes first.
You also need to feel good in your own skin.
That way, you can choose comfort that suits you over impracticality.
This, in turn, makes you confident enough to self-express and explore different fits you may never have thought would work on you.
Looking back, how has your sense of style evolved over time, and what moments or shifts influenced that journey?
I’ve always been a rock star at heart, with Hayley Williams from Paramore as my biggest influence during my teenage years.
Back then, I wore lots of band tees, skinny jeans and sneakers. I also experimented with different hair colours.
I wanted to be like her – this little firecracker so full of life and energy on stage.
But as I grew and gained more life experience, and as I ventured into different music genres – especially soul, R&B, and jazz – I realised I didn’t have to be anyone but myself.
I could be classy in a gown for a wedding gig, rock a baggy street outfit during a hip-hop show, or go turtleneck chic for a date night.
It all depended on how I felt and who I wanted to be that day.
And of course, stumbling onto Pinterest has been a game changer.
For her, clothes offer a sense of creative escapism. Photo: Jo Lixian
She does not conform to just one style and can be seen dressing up glamorously too. Photo: Jo Lixian
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How do you see fashion playing a role in your career as an artiste?
I love picking out outfits and makeup for my shows – it’s the one time I get to dress up exactly how I want without feeling “too much”.
For my upcoming album launch party, I’ve already scrolled through countless Pinterest boards and found a style that resonates with me and suits the music I’m putting out.
Right now, I’m loving bright colours, corsets, lace fabrics, and of course, my go-to high-waisted pants.
