Point Of View

We hear you’ve just started fashion school—how has that been?
Yeah, school’s been fine. I’m pursuing something that I love, so I’m very happy about that!I’m doing a bachelor’s in fashion, but I’m also doing my master’s in business so that I can build my own fashion brand.

When did you discover that you had this interest in fashion?
Oh, I’ve always had it. I wanted to be a fashion designer since I was 6. I started making clothes when I was 13, so it’s been in my blood.

Given your experience with fashion and creating your own pieces, has there been anything new that you’ve learned at school so far?
I’m pretty well-versed with the more technical, hands-on tasks because I’ve been doing it for a really long time. But with the research-based stuff, I’m still very much an amateur. I’m trying to get a grasp on the different designers, different textiles, and people from the fashion scene.

How did you pick up sewing?
During COVID, I got bored, so my mum got me a sewing machine and told me to go crazy, so I did (laughs).

What’s your favourite piece that you’ve made?
I made a Lolita dress the other day. It doesn’t fit my current style, but I love ruffles. I love the Lolita style—I love girly things!

Would your brand be within the Lolita aesthetic as well?
Yeah, but I’m more into goth, so gothic Lolita. I like mixing Western elements with Asian elements because I grew up in the west.

How did you get into goth fashion?
My grandmother was a goth, so I just copied her. She’s my fashion icon!

She sounds extraordinary! Do you get a lot of hand-me-downs from her?
Absolutely! She gave me this really nice ruffle top, but I didn’t bring it to Singapore because I was so scared it would fall apart.

Have you been to Japan?
No, I haven’t. I’ve been everywhere in Europe and America, but not in Asia. Asia’s like undiscovered territory for me, so I’ve got a lot to explore.

Where’s the first place you’d want to go?
I want to go to China, to Shanghai. My friend just came back from there and she got me a whole bunch of stuff. The design scene there is crazy!

It sure is! What do you think of Singapore’s fashion scene now that you’ve been here for a couple of months?
The fashion scene in Singapore is way better than most places I’ve been to, and I’ve been to a lot of places I’m very happy about that. The young people are not scared to show off their own style and are more experimental than most.

Agreed! Is there anything that surprised you about Singapore?
People here are a lot more welcoming. I came from a relatively conservative country where people don’t dress up much and tend to keep to themselves. Here, people are more open and willing to talk, and I really like that.

What’s been the hardest thing to get used to living here?
Making and keeping friends has been a challenge because I’m trying to balance my social life with schoolwork. It’s also been difficult since I look local, but my mannerisms, upbringing, and accent often make people see me differently. As a result, I’m sometimes treated as a foreigner, which is okay, I’ve learned to accept it.

What’s one thing you’re most thankful for about your upbringing?
I’m really grateful for my perspective. I grew up in international schools, so I’ve been exposed to so many different cultures, styles, and ways of thinking beyond my own. Since moving here, I’ve met even more people—Singapore is such a vibrant place. I always say it’s like New York, but in Asia. I’ve been exposed to so many things all at once, both growing up and even now.

Do you have any goals or anything that you want to do or achieve in your time here?
Get rich and famous and start my own business. That’s my goal (laughs).