DEBBIE Gibson may not be coming back to Singapore now that the local musical Superhero Diaries - which she was to have starred in - has been postponed to March next year.
But at least the '80s pop star left town with some souvenirs.
Namely, two pricey creations from local fashion designer Frederick Lee's couture collection, which she eventually wore for her Atlantic City concerts in May.
When Gibson, 38, was here in April to promote Superhero Diaries, she visited Frederick's shop and fell in love with his one-of-a-kind pieces.
She was introduced to him by Beatrice Chia-Richmond, the musical's creator-director.
Frederick, 36, who is also the costume designer for Superhero Diaries, recalled how the US singer 'spent the whole day there'.
EXCITED
He told The New Paper: 'She was trying this and that, and didn't seem to want to let go! She was so excited, jumping up and down and taking out her camera to shoot the clothes.
It was like she was in a playhouse!'
Gibson ended up choosing two costumes, which cost $7,000, specifically for her gigs in Atlantic City.
One was a handbeaded vest comprising a chain of 2,000 pearls that were joined together, while the other was a top made of layers of fine silk chiffon netting.
She had her one and only fitting on the spot, and immediately made plans for the pieces to be flown to the US for the shows.
He said: 'I didn't even have to alter anything. She has an amazing figure.'
Frederick - who has previously dressed Hong Kong and Taiwanese singers like Tsai Chin, Nancy Sit, Nnadia Chan and Fei Xiang for their concerts - said this is his first US platform.
He added: 'I was really surprised Debbie picked my things for her concert because I'm sure she has her own costumes all prepared.
'That she chose me, someone from a little island, over her existing designers, is very flattering and so unexpected.'
A self-confessed fan of Gibson's, he was also bowled over by her 'fun, sweet and down-to-earth' personality.
'She had no airs, she treated me like a long-lost friend. We had a lot of chemistry. We were singing her songs together and ate lunch together that day. It was magical!'
In an e-mail interview with The New Paper, Gibson raved: 'The minute I walked into the studio I was thinking, 'I want this guy to design my costumes and my home!'
'He's got amazingly unique style. I was on the lookout for costumes but had no idea I would find such amazing designs in Singapore!'
She said she did 18 performances in Atlantic City wearing them and they 'held up well'.
'I look for designs that are both current and timeless, classic and daring,' she said.
'It's a hard combo to find but Frederick's designs look like they'd be at home in a 1920s burlesque setting as well as in a 2008 casino.'
E-MAILED PICTURES
Frederick said Gibson kept thanking him repeatedly for his work and e-mailed pictures of herself wearing his outfits on stage.
He said: 'She did justice to them... A lot of celebrities are always worried what people think or about wardrobe malfunctions, but I like that she's daring, open and confident enough to wear my clothes.'
Gibson said she would be 'honoured' to collaborate with Frederick on new designs for her upcoming shows in Las Vegas.
'I think if Frederick's designs hit the US he'd be rivalling every major designer here!
This article was first published in The New Paper on July 7, 2008.
