Career Confessions: How this 52-year-old fashion designer overcame early failures to build her brand from the ground up

Do you like your job? Or wonder what it would be like if you’d gone against your parents’ advice and pursued your dream career? Her World’s Career Confessions column spotlights the professional journeys of its subjects and reveals how each individual’s career path and the choices they have made can have an impact on their personal finances, psychological health, and interpersonal relationships.

Lorraine Lee’s journey into the world of fashion was born from her childhood as a tomboy who was eager to capture her mother’s attention.

“I am a middle child between two sisters. After my elder sister was born, my mom was anticipating me to be a son. She was, of course, disappointed when I was born,” the designer shares. “Due to that, I grew up a tomboy in an attempt to gain my mom’s attention.”

Growing up in a kampong, Lorraine’s early years were a blend of adventure and self-discovery, marked by tree-climbing escapades and a knack for crafting simple furniture from her father’s factory scraps. But it wasn’t until secondary school that she stumbled upon her true passion: sewing.

What started as a school subject soon became her lifeline to self-expression. “I was bad at it at first,” she recalls with a laugh. “But with the guidance of a good teacher, I soon grew to like it.” 

This newfound love led her down an unconventional path, from a brief stint in childcare to opening her first tailor shop at just 21. Although the business eventually closed due to financial struggles, the experience was a pivotal chapter in her career. It was a humbling lesson in resilience and perseverance, shaping her into the successful designer she is today.

The journey wasn’t always smooth, but Lorraine’s persistence and passion led her to establish Zion Creation – a bespoke fashion house in Singapore known for its inclusive and personalised approach to women’s fashion.

“I hope to leave a legacy behind,” says the designer, when asked about how she sees the brand evolving in the coming years. “Zion Creation takes pride in the way we provide personalised consultation services and create pieces handcrafted for each individual customer. We have worked with women with physical disabilities, unbalanced body shapes, and medical issues who struggle with finding pieces that fit them. I am grateful that I have a team of very experienced seamstresses alongside me to work together.”

She continues: “Recently, a young bride brought her grandmother in with her cheongsam from 50 years ago to alter it for her wedding. It’s so wonderful to be able to help create memories for families. Ultimately, we aim to make every lady look her best. At Zion Creation, we are thankful to be given the chance to not only make our mark on family legacies but to make every single lady more confident in themselves. No matter what the future may bring, that is something we will do our best to continue doing in the future.”

In this candid career confessions, Lorraine shares more insights into her career, her thoughts on the fashion industry, and the personal sacrifices she’s made along the way.

Name: Lorraine Lee
Highest Education: O’Level in Economics-Sewing
Job Title & Industry: Founder and Creative Designer of Zion Creation. Fashion and apparel industry
Years of Work Experience: Over 30 years

Can you tell us about the moment you decided to turn your passion into a career and open your first tailor shop at 21? 

Lorraine Lee: At 21, I was still young and unsure of what to do. I was blessed to have parents who saw my passion for fashion and sewing – it was my mother who suggested opening a shop to utilise the fashion skills I had learned and to gain more confidence in my abilities. My dad was a businessman (carpenter) and invested in me to open a fashion shop. He designed and handled the shop renovations so that I could concentrate on designing and sewing up skirts and dresses for my new shop. At that time, my elder sister, who is a florist, opened her own flower shop at 17 years old. She flew to Hong Kong and bought back some fashion wear to add to my collection. It was like a dream come true for me.

However, due to my inexperience and lack of guidance, I was unable to sustain the business. After 3.5 years, the shop had to close because of financial issues. I felt like a complete failure who had disappointed my parents and lost so much capital. I told myself to find a proper job and to never go into business again.

I went to work in a bridal shop for half a year and then another boutique when the boss offered me a manager position over three outlets. During the first 3 months of probation, I was bullied badly, but I endured. The bosses were completely counting on me to handle the daily cash flow for the three branches. The working environment was unhealthy, and I picked up bad habits like vulgarities. I knew that I did not want to stay, so I gave up my year-end bonus and resigned.

My passion for sewing fashion drove me to start again. I used my salary to rent a small shop at Orchard Plaza. My set-up was simple; I bought a table, carpet, and racks from Ikea and did simple renovations myself. I got my sewing machine at home and started sewing and selling my own handmade evening dress. It was not easy, but as the years passed, I learned from experience through mistakes, and my passion grew stronger through the years.

Zion Creation is known for its inclusive approach to fashion. How do you ensure your designs cater to women of all shapes, sizes, and abilities?

Lorraine Lee: With over three decades of experience in custom-made ladies’ wear, we’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients. At Zion Creation, our clients’ needs are always our priority. We avoid standardised sizes and instead use our own precise sizing charts that reflect individual body types.

Our designs are all one-of-a-kind, meticulously measured and crafted by our dedicated team here in Singapore. We also offer a wide range of fabrics and ready-made designs that clients can try on, ensuring they’re fully satisfied with their choices before finalising their garments. Inclusivity is at the core of our philosophy – we believe in celebrating the beauty of all women, regardless of their shape, size, or abilities.

What challenges did you face when starting Zion Creation, and how did you overcome them?

Lorraine Lee: Starting Zion Creation was a daunting task. I was handling everything on my own – admin, logistics, marketing, product design, and quality control. The inexperience and financial challenges were overwhelming.

But I kept going, driven by the desire to make a difference in my clients’ lives. Perseverance was key, and I’m grateful for the support of my husband and my mom, who always encouraged me to keep pushing forward. It’s been a long journey, but seeing my clients appreciate the work we do makes it all worth it.

Do you feel pressure to have a successful career, or to earn more money? If you do, is it mainly internal or external pressure?

Lorraine Lee: For many years, I worked tirelessly to support my mother and myself, leading simple lives without the need for extravagance. This dynamic shifted after I got married in 2017, and our business expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, I manage a team of over 10 employees, and my responsibilities have naturally grown.

I do feel a strong pressure to succeed, primarily to provide for my staff and ensure their well-being. Additionally, I think about my future and the possibility of taking a break someday. This pressure is mostly internal, driven by my own perfectionist tendencies and desire to achieve the best outcomes for everyone involved.

Has your career impacted your relationships with other people?

Lorraine Lee: Yes, my career has significantly impacted my relationships. Due to the demanding nature of the bridal fashion industry, where we are constantly managing crucial wedding dates, I rarely have time for holidays or breaks. I didn’t even go on a honeymoon after my own wedding. While my husband is very understanding, I often feel that we have missed out on quality time together.

I aspire to find a successor in the future, but without children, this career is challenging to pass on. It requires immense patience, passion, responsibility, sacrifice, experience, and motivation to succeed. Hence, I am now focusing on training my trustworthy employees to take on more responsibilities, such as fashion design consultancy, to ensure the business continues to thrive and I can eventually achieve a better work-life balance.

How has the fashion industry in Singapore changed since you started, and what trends do you see shaping its future?

Lorraine Lee: The good thing about slow fashion (fashion that focuses on quality and timeless designs) is that it is everlasting. The types of trends in formal wear don’t differ too much; in terms of client preference, our exclusive designs used to feature a lot of lace, beads, and sequins. Now, people seem to prefer more minimalistic styles with hand-sewn embellishment designs. These can be reworn again with some modifications.

Some retro trends are also making a comeback with a mixed modern touch.

Advancements in fabric technology have also allowed for more comfortable wear. Designers are becoming more conscious of sustainability by using leftover fabric or eco-friendly materials like bamboo, cotton, or linen, which are also comfortable.

Zion Creation pioneered the terms “modern Cheongsam” and “mother-of-bride” about 20 years ago. People used to think of cheongsams as traditional pieces only worn during Lunar New Year. That sentiment has now changed, though. We started doing modern wedding cheongsams for brides in the 90s. We also design for an increasing number of mother-of-brides/groom middle-aged ladies from then on. In the past, most of them wanted to look elegant and conservative. Now, more mothers are embracing the fusion between traditional and modern. They want to look younger and more modern in a more classic design.

What advice would you give to aspiring fashion designers who want to start their own brand?

Lorraine Lee: Starting your own business always involves hard work and long hours. Establishing yourself in an industry is not a month-long affair; it will take years, so you have to be prepared for that. Making the decision to step out into the unknown requires boldness and faith. Once you decide to step forward, do your best and don’t give up easily. Failure either puts you down or is a stepping stone for better days ahead. Stay humble and learn from mistakes.