i used to tag along with my sister to watch 'wayangs' (Chinese street operas) in my childhood days when we were living in the kampong. Though i didn't understand what's going on stage, my eyes were dazzled by the colourful and glittering costumes of the opera performers, particularly the Cantonese operas as they have the most beautiful costumes. During those days in the sixties, calendars of famous actresses doning period costumes were very popular. We loved to sprinkle shimmering dust onto the costumes & head-dresses of these images to give them the real life effect.As i grew older, my interest in fashion grew but was unable to fulfill my childhood dream - learning fashion design to become a designer - there was limited avenues and opportunities for students during those days. Though i faired well in my art subject, my simple goal as a child from a poor family was to study hard and pass my 'O' level exams in order to secure a stable job.
i was able to fulfill my dream partially, learnt the art of fashion design but not becoming a designer when i quit my first career to take a break away from mainstream work in the early nineties.
