Phyllis Lim and Kaine Neo on the love that surrounds us.
The inner workings of love remains mostly a mystery. To feel attached is to feel safe and secure. But to love, creates a whole other meaning. Love unravels like layers of yarn to reveal our inner, most vulnerable selves. And while it is a universal feeling that has paired billions of people together, there are different ways to love — “just-because” flowers, and “text me when you’re home-s” are just common general manifestations. Even if you had read every book on love, or watched every rom-com movie, the love you would experience will most certainly differ from what you thought you already knew.
Phyllis Lim, musician, singer, songwriter, and Kaine Neo, student and part-time model, will know this all to well. Having found themselves coming together through a mutual interest in fashion, love is to them as meticulously crafted and complex — after months through their relationship, Neo has his future set on an interior design career, while Lim is determined on an independent musical career, both away from fashion. No longer in the “a favourite song” or “a go-to spot” of their relationship, is it blind faith that still strengthens the creative couple? Or a sign of love as it matures — even it means having a future that no longer reflects their youthful beginnings.
“Love feels right when?”
Phyllis: We have conversations that go on and on forever, because we think in such different ways.
Kaine: Constantly learning as the as the days go by?
Phyllis: He provides me a lot of encouragement sometimes when I’m feeling insecure about my music.
Kaine: I try to give my input. When she’s like, writing songs and all that stuff. Obviously, I don’t have any professional intake in there. But I do support her.
Phyllis: He always sends me home, to make sure that I’m safe. And when I’m worried, he’ll drop me a call and speak to me, he even tries to buy me whatever food I crave.
Kaine: And she’ll always push me on to do whatever design that I like, or fashion choices like trying out different styles. Yeah, sure. She’ll tell me what works and what doesn’t work.
Phyllis: It’s fine to be like an old married couple, in terms of level of comfort but effort always has to be there in a relationship to keep it alive.
Kaine: She’s really just there for me, whenever. I feel like we can communicate with each other, we can be truthful and honest with each other. Yeah, and I will be there for her. Like she’s got a new song out and I’m really excited
Phyllis: It is a song about like toxic relationships.
Kaine: Not about me then. I hope not. [Laughs]
Phyllis: But I wrote a song about him when we first met. It’s still in production.
Photography Beng
Art Direction Erwin Canuela
Photography Assistant Rigg Ngo
Grooming & Hair Adelene Siow, Mandy Yeo | Palette.inc using Shiseido & KEUNE Haircosmetics
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