In the short span of five years, local fashion designer Priscilla Shunmugam has taken her eponymous label to Paris Fashion Week and the Audi Fashion Festival, boosting Singapore’s name on the world fashion map.
The 34-year-old former lawyer was named Young Woman Achiever by Her World magazine last night in recognition of her inspirational success and potential to go further in the design field.
In her acceptance speech, Ms Shunmugam said she felt her label Ong Shunmugam was not her greatest achievement so far, but rather her finding a way to “do what I really want to think about”.
“For a society at large which prizes results over anything else, I’ll take this (award) as a sign that we’re ready to respect those who try, no matter what the outcome.”
Ms Shunmugam was presented her award at a gala dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.
Her World also named Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Zuraidah Abdullah as its Woman of the Year for her outstanding and well-respected achievements.
Last year, SAC Zuraidah, 53, became the first woman to be appointed Commander of the Airport Police Division. Earlier in her 29-year police career, she helped implement the ruling for children below eight to be seated in a child’s car seat. She is also chairman of the Malay Heritage Foundation.
“There is no reason for women to not also excel at the workplace if the organisation gives us the same opportunities,” she said in her speech. “But to excel, you must be prepared to work hard and grab the opportunities given to you.”
Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob, who was the guest of honour at the event, said she was confident that the two winners will be good inspiration to other women.
Both awards are given out annually by the magazine.
Source: www.straitstimes.com
