Inspiring Stories: Ng Yi Lian On Making A Business Out of Fashion And Flowers

PRESENTED BY PANDORA, AS SEEN IN HARPER'S BAZAAR SINGAPORE MAY 2017

As a former fashion editor, Ng Yi Lian (@yilianng) has a preternatural penchant for style and pizzazz.  "For me, style is all about comfort. I like minimalism and menswear-inspired pieces, and nothing too body-hugging. It’s sexier to conceal than reveal," she tells us st the shoot. Today, she puts that ability to good use styling others, as well as running her own business, Yilian Ng Flowers, which has become the go-to destination for fashionistas in the know. In an ongoing partnership with Pandora, we shine the spotlight on Yi Lian and three other dynamic self-starters that are pursuing what they love and inspiring others to do the same along the way.

I am inspired… By an amalgamation of everything I see, feel and hear.

I stay true to myself by… Knowing how to say no. I have a particular style of arrangement and like to use certain kinds of flowers. So when customers give me a budget that doesn’t make financial sense to me, I’d rather say no to the transaction. Once you’ve decided on the direction of your business, you have to stick to it.

I am motivated by… The fact that I get to do what I love. Whether your business is a success or failure is entirely up to you. You have to own it. It’s okay if you make mistakes, because that’s how you learn. You see the results of everything that you work hard for, which is really rewarding. If you’re going to work hard, why not do it for yourself?

The greatest challenge… Is overcoming my insecurities. Like a work of art, each piece I create is subjective. The insecurity of whether people will like what I do hits me every time. You don’t hear from clients if something is good, only if there are complaints. The only way you know if they like it is if they come back to you. At the end of the day, you have to tell yourself, I like it and I’m proud of it. You can’t seek validation from everyone.

The goal is to… Have another shop-in-shop concept, do bigger events and create bigger installations.

Do… Go out of your comfort zone. I style some private clients, and when I suggest certain pieces to them, they say, “That’s not me” or give other excuses. Why hire me then? Just give it a shot—you never know how things will turn out, so don’t limit your options.

Discover the stories of all the exceptional women in our series here: Andrea Chong; Jaime Lee and Sara Wee.

Photographed by Gan

Styled by Debby Kwong

Makeup and Hair: Manisa Tan/Palette Inc

Manicure: Audrey Wee

Photography assistants: Samsidi Baderi, Loy Kok Wee