President Designer's Award- 19 November

Hmm.. Here I am at the Istana the second time in the same week. Guess not many people will have the chance to be invited twice a week to the Istana. :p This time round it is for the President's Designer Award. And I got invited into the grand mansion which is the place where national dignitaries are invited as guests. The chandeliers are jaw dropping awesome. Grand! Really an event where the design heavyweights are. I was given a seat beside the seat for Wykidd Song.

I exchanged greetings with Tina Tan Leo - the brains behind The Link Group and the famous All Dressed Up (she is very affable with no airs), shook hands with the President again (who is like a kind grandfather) and said hello To Minister Lui Tuck Yew who was my Guest of Honour earlier this year at my Eternity Opening Night @ Ion Orchard. Surprisingly he remembers me! :)) And I told him we moved to a new shophouse and he said he does wear the embroidered bamboo shirt I gave him as a token of appreciation. And took pictures with our very own couture maestro Tan Yoong. He is one of the judges and he remarked I have successfully differentiated myself from Shanghai Tang and with a class of my own.(I floated to cloud 9 but still have to work harder). I also said hello to Lee Chor Lin, who is the brains behind the Singapore National Museum. I am always inspired by powerful ladies who are behind the success of a brand.

And why I was at this event. Oh well.. I am nominated for the President's Designer Award but as I expected it, I didnt win the award. I think the award should be reserved for the experienced. I heard Wykidd Song and Frederick Lee were nominated as well. The winner was a photographer who was colour blind but managed to make his name as a fashion photographer in the competitive New York. Inspiring indeed. And another goes to an architect Kerry Hill who has spent all his life building remarkable structures. My next biggest hope is to showcase overseas or hold an exhibition. Well, I did hold a fashion show at the invitation of the Royal Thai Embassy this March. But I am ambitious. I hope for one at New York, Paris, Tokyo or Milan. Will work towards it.

Minister Lui Tuck Yew giving his opening speech

The President and Minister Mah Bow Tan awarding the recipients

Jacintha Abisheganaden singing at the event.

Tan Yoong as one of the judges for the award.

Taken with Tan Yoong and wearing my latest outfit. Grey cape and pants with black lace inserts