For NYMD's production I.D.2010, I was the in charge for costumes of the item: Emoticonned.

"Emoticonned" shows the life of 4 different types of toys: Dolls, Puppets, Clowns and Magicians

We live in a toy shop and we are left on the shelf or children buy us and then when we are spoilt, we are left alone to collect dust. we are desperate for attention, care and concern, we ask our owners, "Why don't you take me in your arms now?"

For the dolls, they have a very sweet and ballet-like feel to them, like ballerinas. They have a bun/pony tail (if hair is too short) which is neatly tied up, then a floral scrungie is tied around the bun/pony tail as a decoration, to show their innocence. The make up is very rosy cheeks with a heart shaped lip (similar to that of a fish). They wear a white skirt with some stripes of colours, with ballet tights and ballet shoes. There are silver ribbons tied to their leotard straps because ballet usually make use of ribbons.

All the costumes are actually everyday clothes bought from Bugis and Daiso. For example, we bought the leggings, vests, cropped tops and skirts from Bugis. Also, The leg warmers, arm bands and clown buttons are from Daiso. We also had many scavenger hunts around the house and the costume closet to find clothes like the floral scrungies, ribbons, gloves, ballet shoes and ballet tights. Sometimes i would have to help and "custom make" the costumes by sewing the pieces together or making something simple, like the clown collar and attaching their buttons.

To me, the hardest part of this project was the purchasing and collating all of the different pieces of costumes. I handled large amounts of money on every trip and I had to be very cautious with where i put them and had to organize my receipts and purchases very well.

It was really tiring to be in charge of costumes for this item and I've been to Bugis Street at least 10 times within that period, just to hunt for costumes, compare prices, get the cheapest one, pre-order and wait for stock before collecting, etc. But I am still very honoured that my batch put me up to this job. Even though I sometimes get annoyed with some shop owners who refused to cooperate or try to cheat us because I am a student, I was also touched that many of them volunteered to tag along and help me hunt for the costumes.

Although I've been to Bugis Street so much that up to now (1 year later) I am still sick of that stuffy place, I have never been there alone because my friends are all willing to help me. Even when I was sick, my batch mates told me to rest and they would go down to collect the costumes and that I should go home to rest. They were all very appreciative and helpful. Indeed, it was tiring and sometimes I felt as if the costumes were so messy, I would never be able to complete them and that they are up to standards. In the end, with their help, we did. My seniors even complemented me and my batchmates' smiles make me feel as if it all was worth it, as if our costume hunt was an ultimate budget shopping spree, it was super fun and enriching.

This is one of the unforgettable memories I've had with NYMD :')