Modern life may feel mundane-
let’s make space for dreams.

Why I Do This

Growing up in practical, fast-paced Singapore, I never really imagined that costume design—or theatre—could be a real career. That changed when I went to study in the UK.

For the first time, I saw what it meant to bring a designer’s vision to life: entire departments dedicated to costuming, with people carefully selecting fabrics, colours, and textures, all to tell a character’s story. It was thoughtful. It was creative. It was magical. And I wanted to be part of it.

But life brought me back home.

For the next few years, I worked in teaching. It was meaningful work in many ways—but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was slowly letting go of a part of myself. The part that loved making things. Imagining worlds. Creating beauty.

In 2018, I took a break to reset and figure out what came next. That’s when I stumbled across hanfu while researching Asian historical costumes, and something just clicked.

The flowing silhouettes, the layered textures, the deep sense of heritage and artistry… it all felt like a quiet rebellion against the hyper-modern rush of life around me. I began collecting outfits, experimenting with shoots, and playing with ideas. Each photoshoot became like a tiny theatre production—a little world of make-believe, shared with friends. Eventually, I had so many hanfu pieces (and so many ideas!) that I decided to turn this passion into something more.

That’s how Dressed Up Dreams began.

To me, this isn’t just about taking pretty photos. It’s about creating moments of wonder amidst the routine hustle of life. To slow down and reconnect—with beauty, with culture, or even just with yourself.

Whether you’re drawn to the artistry, the history, or just the thrill of trying something different—this is your invitation to step into another world for a little while.

And if that speaks to you, I’d love to help bring your dream shoot to life.