Fashion designer Jo Soh, 33, has been making waves in the regional fashion scene since her Hansel collection first made it to the Australian runways in 2003. Since then, she’s picked up a number of awards, including Singaporean Designer of the Year (ELLE Awards 2009) and has also set up a her first Hansel boutique on Stamford Road. Jo shares with NanzInc how she established her label.

By Melanie Lee

How did you become a designer?
I’ve known I wanted to be a designer since I was 12. I love to draw and make crafts, and I was in the art club in school. Also, my mother is a very fashionable woman and since young, I’ve loved to go shopping with her and help pick out accessories.

Design is such an integral part of daily life – we wear clothes everyday and these designs shape the way others see us. There are also many everyday objects like a spoon, a cup or a pencil that are all designed to make life better. I knew that I wanted to be involved in this process of creation and problem solving, and it was a natural step to learn fashion design in Central Saint Martins College of Art in London.

How did you initially get funding for your business?
In 2003, I had worked for three years in various design-related jobs and felt it was time to prove something to myself and do something on my own. My dad loaned me $20,000 to help with the first Hansel collection, which made its debut at the Mercedes Australian Fashion Week in November 2003 for the New Generation show. This really helped to kick start things – Hansel was invited for more shows and boutiques in Australia began stocking my clothes.

Initially, my father and I were registered as directors of Hansel and this helped with getting bank loans. However, he retired last year, so now, I am the sole shareholder of the company.

I also got some great help from Design Singapore and the Textile & Fashion Federation (Singapore) who have funded some of my overseas trips as I help to promote the design industry in Singapore through my work.