'You want to mix in the local culture,' says costume designer Mary E. Vogt. 'That was really really beautiful.'
, a star) traveling to Singapore to meet her low-key wealthy and clearly dreamy boyfriend Nick Young's at times crazy and definitely filthy rich family. — or Straights-born Chinese — in Nick's circle, Vogt first looked at vintage '30s photos from Kwan's family, who immigrated to Singapore from China.
Rachel, who gets a hint of Nick's family bank accounts after being quickly whisked away to the First Class lounge upon arrival at JFK , starts her fish-out-of-water arrival in Singapore in modest, professional and ultimately underwhelming fare for the occasion. Before her introduction to the dynastic Shang-Young family at Nick's grandmother's palatial estate, Tyersall Park, she's is given a quick primer on Singapore high society by college friend Peik Lin .