May 31, 2019

The creative mind behind the fashion, travel and lifestyle blog, Pale Division, Willabelle Ong is no stranger to the art of taking the perfect picture—while making it seem effortless. Preferring to use imagery and videos to story tell either through movement or colours, the glamorous jet-setter shares with us her everyday essentials that keep her looking insta-worthy. 

What are your top 5 everyday items that you can’t live without?

My phone, lip balm, lipstick, perfume and a pair of sunglasses.

Do these items reflect your personality too?

To a certain extent, yes. I love musky scents because they remind me of fresh bed sheets and childhood, while I always prefer my lips subtle and my shades big. 

Is there a story behind any of these items?

Most of them are gifts from loved ones.

What is a typical day like for you?

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The first thing I do when I wake up is to check my messages. Next, I wash up and head downstairs to the kitchen for a glass of water, and occasionally I take some fish oil or essence. I immerse myself in work like checking emails or answering calls, and head out for a few meetings or even fittings. The rest of the day flies by and by dinner time, I am exhausted but happy to see the people I love for a meal. I relax for the rest of the evening with some snacks and a movie, or a long warm bath—or if inspiration hits, I will retreat to my painting room.

What inspires you the most?

Books and art. The idea of marrying words or mediums and being able to create something beautiful out of that is really inspiring. 

How do you define your work?

I enjoy producing imagery and videos that tell a story, whether it is through movement or colours. For my paintings, I tend to experiment with textures using mediums like gel gloss.

How do you keep people interested in your content?

Change it up (e.g. photo composition, style, colour grading) and keep people guessing!

Are there any exciting new project you are looking to explore in the future?

I’m working on a few things but I really can’t say. You’ll have to sit tight and find out. 

What does work-life balance mean to you?

Knowing when to switch off and making sure that you are taking care of yourself. I have my emails and social media notifications turned off, and I always make sure to do something I love every day. It can be as simple as indulging in my favourite dish, or even treating myself to a day at the spa.

How do you define beauty?

Confidence, elegance and kindness. 

How do you deal with insecurities?

I try not to beat myself up over things I can’t control. Thankfully, I am surrounded with supportive family and friends, and over time I have learnt to accept and embrace compliments. 

How much has travelling changed you?

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Travel teaches us to appreciate the beauty in small things. Most of the time, we are so caught up with work and other commitments that we start to take things for granted. Travelling helps to open our eyes again—allowing us to appreciate the little moments like an early sunrise, taking a stroll with a loved one, or simply enjoying home-cooked food.

What is one thing you’ve learnt recently that you wished you knew earlier?

Forgiveness sets you free.

What makes you smile?

Cute cat videos, and spending time with people I love.

What is your biggest weakness/flaw?

Sometimes I aim for too much perfection in the tasks I set out to do. For example, if something doesn’t turn out the way I want it to, especially if I’ve spent a great deal of time on it, I can easily get frustrated.

What constitutes a fulfilling life?

Being able to love and being loved back—and not having any regrets or grudges.

What is your ultimate vision for Pale Division? And what do you aim to achieve with it?

I have always been happy to share my travels and content with my audience, but to be honest the pace has slowed down. At the same time, I am also trying to go back to what I love doing most, which is creating Art.