At the beginning of 2021, Jaime Xie was simply known as the edgy fashionista who appeared sporadically during the first season of Netflix’s Bling Empire. However, fans of the reality hit can expect to see more of the 24-year-old in the second season—with more head-turning fits, more glamour and quotable one-liners. We’re talking honest critique at a fellow cast member’s outfit straight off the bat. Indeed, compared to the quiet pensive girl who often watched from the sidelines in the series’s debut, season two Jaime seems to have come out of her shell.
As the youngest and undoubtedly the most stylish of the ensemble cast, Xie’s career as a fashion influencer took off exponentially since the decision to pursue fashion full-time around the ripe age of 19.
Below, she speaks to Vogue Singapore about ‘Bling Empire’, her love for vintage as well as her Fashion Week wardrobe must-haves.
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You were quite the scene-stealer as the “fashion girl” in Bling Empire Season 1, what can we expect from Jaime in Season 2?
In season 2, viewers will get to know me a bit better and of course see a lot more fashion. I wore mostly new and emerging designers, as well as a few of my favourite vintage pieces. I did quite a bit of online shopping during the pandemic and was excited to finally get the chance to style and wear everything out in public.
How would you describe Bling Empire Season 2?
Season 2 is filled with fashion, drama and bling. We also had a few new cast members that changed the dynamic of the group and stirred things up.
Since the first season of Bling Empire, how has your style evolved?
My style is always evolving, but I would say the main difference is that I wore more pieces that were vintage and of newer designers. I have always loved discovering emerging brands, but it really became a passion of mine during Covid when I had all the time in the world to research and find unknown designers and talent. There are so many creative, experimental and unique designers that really push the boundaries of art and fashion. There’s nothing I love more than supporting them and watching them grow! Vintage was also something I’ve been excited about for some time now. I am obsessed with browsing luxury resale sites and it always feels like a treasure hunt whenever I come across something I love.
Tell us more about when your love for fashion began.
I’ve loved fashion for as long as I can remember. I would play dress-up in my mother’s closet when I was a little girl and everyone at school always knew me as the fashion girl because of the way I dressed when we had our free-dress days (I wore uniforms in middle school). My style is full-spectrum and knows no bounds. I enjoy wearing pieces of all different styles and I’m not afraid to take chances or risks when it comes to trying something new. No one else in my family really cares about fashion. My mum always says that I must have got the fashion gene from my grandfather, who was a suit designer back in Taiwan when he was younger.
Who are your current favourite designers and why?
My current favourite designers are Donatella Versace, Demna and Casey Cadwallader. Donatella does not require much of an explanation because she is such an icon. I’m always looking forward to seeing what she makes next because it never disappoints. I can see myself in so many of her creations and I love the way Versace clothes make you feel when you put them on.
I love Casey for similar reasons I admire Donatella. Casey’s designs for Mugler are sexy, strong, powerful and bold. His mesh illusion pieces sculpt and smooth the body like no other and make women of all shapes and sizes look and feel amazing! I also love that Casey creates pieces that are a bit scandalous, but also very wearable for everyday.
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As for Demna, he truly pushes the boundaries of fashion and revolutionised Balenciaga with his destroyed, cut up, and re-engineered pieces. His fashion shows also move me in ways that other shows don’t. You really feel the emotion and message coming through in the clothes.
Which 2022 fashion trend do you think is here to stay?
I think the Y2K trend is here to stay. I’ve personally always been a fan of vintage and Y2K dressing, so I’m glad it’s become more of a thing now.
What fashion trend do you currently wish would go away?
I wish the bucket hat trend would go away! They look cool on some people, but definitely not on me so I guess it’s a bit of a selfish reason.
What are some of your wardrobe must-haves when travelling for Fashion Week?
My wardrobe must-haves are sweats and sneakers. I love being comfortable and wearing my Lululemon or Alo Yoga hoodies and APL sneakers when I don’t need to be dressed up attending a fashion show or party. I always change straight into my comfy clothes and remove my makeup as soon as I reach the hotel at night.
Most people only ever get to see the glamorous side of the fashion industry, but what were some challenges that you had to personally overcome in order to make it?
The long days, exhausting schedules and lack of sleep are the big challenges everyone in this industry faces. It is not as glamorous as most people imagine. I certainly did not expect dealing with many of the challenges when I first started in this industry, but I quickly realised how grateful I am to be doing what I love and remind myself that every career has its upsides and downsides.
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What moment would you consider as career-defining in your journey in becoming one of the leading global fashion influencers?
Every moment is about gaining experience and learning something new. I am just grateful for all the beautiful experiences and events I’ve been able to be a part of and meeting so many incredibly talented and eccentric people.
Since pursuing a career in fashion full-time, how would you say the industry landscape has changed over the years?
The fashion industry is constantly changing, but one of the most notable changes I see is that there is a greater sense of diversity and inclusivity. I remember attending fashion shows and seeing campaigns that featured mainly thin, white models that all looked the same, but nowadays I see models of all shapes, sizes and colours. Of course, there is always room for improvement, but it is a step in the right direction and it makes me happy to see more representation of different ethnicities, races, and body types in the fashion world.
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Photography: Matthieu Lange
Stylist: Law Roach
Stylist Assistant: Posh Mckoy
Makeup: Shanice Jones
Hair: Tiger Bahmb
