“Malay Community has evolved yet still steep in customs which makes the Malay Community extremely special.”

Ashley Isham masih mengikuti perkembangan Singapura meskipun sudah lebih sedekad bermastautin di London. Sebagai seorang pereka fesyen, beliau amat berbangga melihat Singapura kini mempunyai presiden wanita pertama berbangsa Melayu, yang tidak sesekalipun rasa awkward menggayakan tudung beliau. Menurut Encik Isham, itulah keunikan seorang wanita Melayu.

Encik Isham sendiri banyak mereka atau design pakaian wanita. Isham left Singapore in 1996 to pursue pattern cutting course at the London College of Fashion. Beliau kemudian diterima masuk ke Universiti Middlesex untuk menjalani kursus Sarjana Muda atau Bachelor Degree.

Pada tahun 2000, Isham was very sure that he is well equipped with the relevant skills. Hence, he decided to ditch university and set up his very own fashion label – Ashley Isham. Namun, kejayaannya itu tidak datang dengan mudah. Through sheer dedication, constant learning, hard work, sweat, blood and tears, beliau akhirnya berjaya menempah nama dalam persada fesyen.

Ashley Isham became the one and only Singaporean fashion designer showcasing on the international stage of London Fashion Week consistently since then. Beliau juga pernah diundang mantan Presiden Singapura, S R Nathan untuk memperagakan fesyen ciptaannya di Beijing dan Shanghai, sebagai sebahagian daripada Singapore Season.

“Passion, focus, integrity, with the never say die attitude regardless, made me the person I am today.”

Recollecting his journey, Mr Isham shared that it was never easy. He had to burn midnight oil countless times, just to make sure his design ideas are realised. It’s no different from students who are studying for examinations. Apa yang penting, is to never lose sight of your dreams and to work hard, stay focused in order to achieve greatness.

Mr Isham sincerely hopes that the new generations will still aspire to reach for the stars and give recognition to being a Malay – to never forget where they come from and to never forget their heritage or their roots. Beliau juga berharap para ibu bapa Melayu akan terus memberi inspirasi dan menyokong anak-anak mereka dalam apa jua jurusan yang mereka impikan, even if it’s the Arts.

“I still remember the negative remarks made by certain people when I first decided to be involved in the Arts as there used to be a stigma that artists will die of hunger. Fortunately for me, my mum and my sister, Khaty, have always been there for me. They even helped me with sewing and cooking for my studio team during my stressful period coming up to the London Fashion Week Show.”

Encik Isham menekankan the importance of family support and how it made an impact on his journey to success. On that note, beliau mahu melihat masyarakat Melayu kekal bersatu dan remain relevant dalam dunia hari ini. Teruskan memperjuangkan bakat masing-masing; do our very best in everything we do supaya bangsa Melayu tidak hilang tempat di dunia.