Ninety and still sewing

Last July, I strolled into Holland Road Shopping Centre after attending the wedding of Xin, my friends' daughter. It was partly a journey of nostalgia as I once lived at a rented apartment at Ford Avenue across the road.

What really caught my eye at the vintage shopping centre was not any of the antiques and curios, clothes and spas, but an elderly man seated at an old sewing machine, pedalling away with his still sturdy feet.

His full head of silver hair stood out against the backdrop of vibrantly-coloured batiks. Mr Ang Kum Siong told me he has been at it for decades. He sews mainly sundresses, housecoats, handkerchiefs and table napkins. My eyes couldn't agree with my ears when he told me he was 90.

On my way out of the shop, I noticed one wall panel was ornamented with news clippings of media interviews with him. Wellie Batik Fashion is run by the nonagenarian's children who are extremely proud of their dad and the heritage he has built for them.

I salute and celebrate you, Mr Ang! You're such an inspiration.

#welliebatikfashion #angkumsiong #batikwear #inspiringnonagenarian