AN industrial park is probably the last place you expect to find grand Victorian-style costumes, a-go-go dresses, fairy wings and sword props.

But this is where getai queen Liu Ling Ling stores a part of her massive wardrobe.

The 44-year-old veteran performer has amassed so many outfits over her 30 year career, that she has to store boxes of costumes, accessories, shoes, wigs and props in an Ang Mo Kio industrial park.

And these are just the ones that cannot fit into her five-room flat in Sengkang.

She estimates that she has spent more than $150,000 on costumes over the years.

"This is the first time I've let a reporter take pictures of my costumes and props off-stage," she said in Mandarin.

Stage appearance is a big investment for the getai A-lister - she has spent more than $5,000 on costumes for this season alone.

PENANG TAILOR

Most are outfits she gets custom-made by her Penang tailor, MrAndy Seethoe, 33, who specialises in stage costumes.

She orders more than 30 outfits from him each year over the phone, tells him if there are any changes to her measurements, and he has them sent to Singapore when they are done.

"I admire his creativity, so I let him decide on most of the designs... I haven't met Andy for the past three years," she said, with a laugh.

Others are pieces she picked up on costume shopping trips to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and other countries.

These include a custom-made bridal costume from Korea, which cost her about $500 with matching accessories.

Ling Ling reckons she spends about four months each year performing and costume-hunting overseas.

She zips out of the country whenever she has time off from concerts here and overseas, hosting events, organising shows and producing music.

The plus-size comedienne said with a straight face: "I'm fat, so it's harder for me to find clothes. Others buy one set, I buy two, bring themback to Singapore, and modify to make one outfit."

She said that every year, some $20,000 - more than half her earnings - goes into her wardrobe.

"I use costumes as a way to keep ahead of the competition," said LingLing.

"As a getai host, your wit and singing ability are the most important, but stage appearance counts for about 40 per cent.

"Also, some fans 'chase' you from show to show and take note of your outfit changes, so you must always change your look and keep things fresh."

That's why the Queen of Comedy, as she is known, never wears the same outfit more than five times - especially the more memorable, outrageous ones.

"Every three months, I give away a wardrobe full of clothes. Usually to the transvestite performers (in the getai and club scene), who are bigger size," she said.

The theme for Ling Ling's costumes this year is retro - a-go-go outfits from the '60s and '70s.

Every night before a performance, she makes a trip to the industrial park to get what she needs.

"This place belongs to my relative. He wasn't using one of the rooms, so he let me use it about five years ago, because my home really has no more space," she explained.

Fans can usually expect to see anything between five and 10 outfit changes during a three-hour Ling Ling-hosted show.

She said: "I go with a big suitcase, like I'm going overseas. That's why I bought a big car (a Toyota RAV4) that can carry many things."

Her Indonesian maid of two years, Ms Mufa, 28, goes with her to assist with the outfit changes in the short time between songs.

"She's there to help me in every show. There's no way I can do it myself," said Ling Ling.

SHE CHANGES IN THE OPEN

Changing is also a challenge because there is no backstage area at getais - so the performers need to change in full view of audience members at the side of the stage.

Ling Ling wears a tight tank top and leggings under her costumes to protect her modesty.

She said: "There used to be a group of 'uncles' who stationed themselves at the side to watch me change!

"But you must forget their existence, focus on changing, then go back out on stage.

"Sometimes, they use the outfit changes as inspiration for 4-D, because different colours mean different numbers, so they would watch and write at the same time.

"You see a lot of strange things, but that's what's lovable and interesting about getai."

To help make the changing process even faster, Ling Ling's Penang tailor uses velcro instead of zips or buttons, so the clothes can come on and off faster.

As she tends to be booked the whole night at a venue as a getai host - the top draw of a getai show - MrSeethoe also designs simpler glitzy outfits for Ling Ling, which are more convenient when she repeatedly negotiates the steps to go on and off stage.

The outrageous outfits can - very occasionally - "malfunction".

She recalled a performance about nine years ago, when she wore a pair of tight leather pants.

"Because of sweat, and I was doing splits and funny actions, the pants couldn't take it and just split open in front, right on stage!"

The savvy performer didn't miss a beat, and instead cracked the audience up with jokes to gloss over the accident.

She then used a sarong to cover up her pants for the rest of the performance.

The intricate and complicated costumes can cost about $500 to dry-clean during the Hungry Ghost Festival.

And make no mistake, some of the costumes - while glamorous and eye-catching on stage - are extremely cumbersome and difficult to wear.

"But no matter how uncomfortable they are, I still wear them. However much you give to the audience, they will give back to you in support, because they can see the effort you put in," she said.